Shilajit

Thick, sticky tar-like substance

Shilajit or mumijo, Mohave lava tube, 2018

Shilajit (Sanskrit: शिलाजित्; lit. 'conqueror of mountain', 'conqueror of the rocks'), salajeet (Urdu: سلاجیت), mumijo or mumlayi or mumie[1] is an organic-mineral product of predominantly biological origin, formed at high altitudes of stony mountains, in sheltered crevices and caves.[2]

A blackish-brown powder or an exudate emerging between high mountain rocks, often found in the Altai Mountains, the Caucasus Mountains, the Himalayas (especially in India, Nepal, and the Tibetan Plateau), the Karakoram, the Pamir Mountains (primarily in Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan), and countrywise in Afghanistan, Bhutan, Georgia, India (regions of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand), Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan (Gilgit-Baltistan), Russia, Central Asia and Africa.[3][4][5] The people of the East used shilajit in folk and non-traditional (alternative) medicine (Ayurveda, Chinese, Tibetan). Shilajit is sold both in dry extract form and in dietary supplements, but there is limited evidence that shilajit has any beneficial effects on human health.[1][6] It has been found in studies to contain hazardous heavy metals, including lead.[7]

## History

[edit]

Shilajit, as commonly consumed

Since ancient times, shilajit has been a folk medicine in Afghanistan, India, Iran, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Central Asia, Central Africa and Tibet. Shilajit has been used as a folk medicine and in alternative medicine for more than four thousand years.[8] The healing effects of shilajit for different diseases are mentioned in the works of Aristotle, Razi, Biruni, Ibn Sina and others.[2][9][10]

D'Herbelot, in his 1821 publication, stated that the Persians used the substance called mumiay, or mummy, as a potent cure-all to address broken bones and disease.[11]

## Distribution

[edit]

Deposits of shilajit are found in many mountainous regions of the world. Research by the Central State Geographical Exploration Center "Tsentrquartz Gems" has shown that deposits of shilajit, despite the wide geography of their location, are very rare, and the reserves of raw materials in them are limited. It is found in calcareous, metamorphic rock, and sedimentary rocks (from Proterozoic to Quaternary) in Central Asia, Tuva, at the Lake Baikal, in the Caucasus and other regions. [12] It is more often found in the Himalayas, Tibetan Plateau, mountains of the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Mongolia, Myanmar, Tanzania, Kenya.[citation needed]

The substance is known by different names, including Salajeet (Urdu: سلاجیت) in Pakistan, μούμια (in Greek), mumiyo or mumie (Russian: Мумиё), brag-shun or barakhshin ("oil of the mountains" in Mongolia and southern Russian Siberian regions near the Sayan Mountains such as Khakassia and Buryatia), rock sap or rock juice (in Tibet, Central Asia, Himalaya, Pamir and Altai), asphalt, mineral pitch, Jew's pitch, slag or mineral wax (in English), silajita or silajatu (in Bengali), hajarul-Musa or araq-al-jibal (in Arabic), myemu, moomiaii or mumnaei (in Persian), Mumie (in German), kao-tun ("blood of the mountain" in Myanmar) and "blessing of nature" (Nepal).[13]

## Formation

[edit]

It has also been believed that it is formed as a result of the decomposition of oil rocks by microorganisms. Outdated analysis from the 1970s claimed the chemical composition of organic part of the extract (about 50% carbon and 10% hydrogen) proved the oil origin hypothesis,[12] but according to more recent analysis, shilajit is of plant origin: It is most likely produced by very slow decomposition of plant matter.[14] Some researchers hypothesize that shilajit is produced by the decomposition or humification of latex and resin-bearing plant material from species such as Euphorbia royleana and Trifolium repens over a period of centuries.[15][16]

## Composition

[edit]

Although shilajit is sometimes referred to as a mineral tar or resin, it is neither. It is a highly viscous substance like a tar or resin, that is very dark brown or black in color, but unlike these is readily soluble in water but insoluble in ethanol. It contains more than 20 elements, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, chromium, and lead. It also contains solid paraffin hydrocarbons, proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, and alcohols.[12] The mineral content is 15–20%, along with trace elements, including selenium.[17]

Shilajit is composed of 60–80% humic substances, such as humic and fulvic acids.[18][19][20][21]

Studied by analytical methods, shilajit samples from the Himalayas (5.1 kDa), Altai (8 kDa), Tian Shan (7.5 kDa), Dzungarian (9.0 kDa), demonstrated that it consists of two principal components: the high-molecular part is fulvic nature of sample as typical peat fulvic acids (sample from Sakhtysh Lake, Russia), and the low-molecular part represents a range of vegetative and animal metabolites such as methyldiaminocyclohexane, shikimic acid, hippuric acid, quinic acid, hydroxyhippuric acid, and methyldiaminocyclohexane dimer.[22]

## Purification process

[edit]

Shilajit, in its raw form, is a viscous, tar-like substance that requires processing to remove impurities and ensure safety for consumption. The traditional purification process involves four key steps: extraction, filtration, purification, and dehydration.[1][15]

* Extraction: Shilajit is harvested from high-altitude rock crevices and caves in regions like the Himalayas and Altai Mountains. Collectors scrape the exudate from rocks, typically during warmer months when it is softer.[3]
* Filtration: Raw shilajit is dissolved in water to separate insoluble impurities, such as rock fragments and plant debris. The solution is filtered through fine cloth or sieves to yield a cleaner liquid.[15]
* Purification: The filtered liquid is further processed to remove contaminants, including potential heavy metals. Traditional methods may involve boiling or mixing with herbal extracts, while modern approaches use laboratory techniques to ensure safety.[1][23] Authenticity checks, such as verifying solubility and consistency, are crucial to ensure the shilajit is genuine and free from adulterants.[24]
* Dehydration: The purified solution is spread thinly and dried under sunlight or controlled heat to remove moisture, resulting in a solid, blackish-brown resin or powder suitable for use in traditional medicine or supplements.[15]

Purification is critical to address safety concerns, as raw shilajit may contain hazardous heavy metals like lead.[25]

## Research

[edit]

There is a lack of evidence that shilajit is bioactive; its claimed antioxidant and immuno-modulatory effects lack scientific validation.[1]

A 2024 systematic review found that purified Shilajit extract (PrimaVie) may have efficacy in increasing testosterone levels in men with late-onset hypogonadism.[26]

## Varieties

[edit]

The composition varies by location[27] and appearance:[28]

* Coprolitic (mumiyo-saladji, Pamir and Altai mumiyo, mumiyo-asil, etc.) are semi-fossilized phyto- and zooorganic remains of animal feces mixed with fragments and grus of rocks and soil formations. The content of extractive substances in coprolite shilajit ranges from 10 to 30% or more.

* Shilajit-bearing breccias are large-clastic rocks (more often, fissured limestones) cemented by shilajit-bearing clay mass. The content of extractive substances is 0.5–5.0%.

* Evaporite shilajit occurs in formations of streaks, icicles and shiny black or gray dull, thin films that stain the roofs and walls of caves, niches, grottoes and other large cavities. Its extraction is difficult.

Shilajit is sold in different colors and grades according to the type of metal powders that are supposedly added: red (sauvarna shilajit) with gold, white (rajat shilajit) with silver, blue (tamra, with copper shilajit) and iron-containing black (lauha shilajit shilajit). Of these, black shilajit containing gold is the rarest and is considered to have the best curative effect. In nature, shilajit containing iron is used most in traditional medicine.[19]

Mumioids are a group of natural formations resembling shilajit in appearance. The group includes ozokerite, saltpeter, fossilized vegetable resins and gums, mountain wax, white, stone and mountain oils, Antarctic shilajit, lofor, or aqua bitum.[28]

## Alternatives

[edit]

Swarna Bhasma is claimed to address the issues related to sperm count, quality of semen and improve erectile function.[29]

## See also

[edit]

* balsam
* bitumen of Judea
* creosote
* elaterite
* mummia
* ozokerite
* propolis
* resin
* wax

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e Wilson E, Rajamanickam GV, Dubey GP, Klose P, Musial F, Saha FJ, Rampp T, Michalsen A, Dobos GJ (June 2011). "Review on shilajit used in traditional Indian medicine". J Ethnopharmacol (Review). 136 (1): 1–9\. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.04.033. PMID 21530631.
2. ^ a b "MUMIYO • Great Russian encyclopedia - electronic version". bigenc.ru. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
3. ^ a b Hill, Carol A.; Forti, Paolo (1997). Cave Minerals of the World. National Speleological Society. ISBN 978-1-879961-07-4.[page needed]
4. ^ "Where is Shilajit Found?". Tears of Himalaya. 11 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 November 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
5. ^ "What Is Shilajit? The Ultimate Guide For Beginners". Shilajit Promax. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
6. ^ Winston, David; Maimes, Steven (22 March 2007). "Part two: Materia medica. 7. Monographs on adaptogens. Shilajit". Adaptogens: Herbs for strength, stamina, and stress relief. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. p. 129\. ISBN 978-1-59477-158-3 – via Google.
7. ^ Hazardous or Advantageous: Uncovering the Roles of Heavy Metals and Humic Substances in Shilajit (Phyto-mineral) with Emphasis on Heavy Metals Toxicity and Their Detoxification Mechanisms , in PubMed.
8. ^ Kloskowski, T.; Szeliski, K.; Krzeszowiak, K.; Fekner, Z.; Kazimierski, Ł; Jundziłł, A.; Drewa, T.; Pokrywczyńska, M. (19 November 2021). "Mumio (Shilajit) as a potential chemotherapeutic for the urinary bladder cancer treatment". Scientific Reports. 11 (1): 22614. Bibcode:2021NatSR..1122614K. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-01996-8. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 8604984. PMID 34799663.
9. ^ Korchubekov, B. K., Altymyshev, A. A. (1987). Mumië "arkhar-tash" i ego fiziologicheskai︠a︡ aktivnostʹ. Soviet Union: Ilim.
10. ^ Source study and textual criticism of monuments of medieval sciences in the countries of Central Asia: a collection of scientific works. (1989). Russia: "Science," Siberian Branch.
11. ^ Ouseley, William (1821). Travels in various countries of the East : more particularly Persia. Rodwell and Martin, London.
12. ^ a b c "Геологический словарь. Том 1 (А-М) | Геологический портал GeoKniga" [Geological dictionary. Volume 1 (А-М) 1978 | Geological portal]. www.geokniga.org. p. 485. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
13. ^ Rahmani Barouji, Solmaz; Saber, Amir; Torbati, Mohammadali; Fazljou, Seyyed Mohammad Bagher; Yari Khosroushahi, Ahmad (2020). "Health Beneficial Effects of Moomiaii in Traditional Medicine". Galen Medical Journal. 9: e1743. doi:10.31661/gmj.v9i0.1743. ISSN 2322-2379. PMC 8343599. PMID 34466583.
14. ^ Carrasco-Gallardo, Carlos; Guzmán, Leonardo; Maccioni, Ricardo B. (2012). "Shilajit: A natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity". International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 2012: 674142. doi:10.1155/2012/674142. ISSN 2090-8024. PMC 3296184. PMID 22482077.
15. ^ a b c d Agarwal, Suraj P.; Khanna, Rajesh; Karmarkar, Ritesh; Anwer, Md. Khalid; Khar, Roop K. (May 2007). "Shilajit: A review". Phytotherapy Research. 21 (5): 401–405\. doi:10.1002/ptr.2100. PMID 17295385. S2CID 40620070.
16. ^ Ghosal, S.; Reddy, J.P.; Lal, V.K. (May 1976). "Shilajit I: Chemical constituents". Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 65 (5): 772–773\. doi:10.1002/jps.2600650545. PMID 932958.
17. ^ Khanna, Rajesh; Witt, Matthias; Khalid Anwer, Md.; Agarwal, Suraj P.; Koch, Boris P. (December 2008). "Spectroscopic characterization of fulvic acids extracted from the rock exudate Shilajit". Organic Geochemistry. 39 (12): 1719–1724\. Bibcode:2008OrGeo..39.1719K. doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2008.08.009.
18. ^ Ghosal, Shibnath (1 January 1990). "Chemistry of shilajit, an immunomodulatory Ayurvedic rasayan". Pure and Applied Chemistry. 62 (7): 1285–1288\. doi:10.1351/pac199062071285. ISSN 1365-3075. S2CID 20837659.
19. ^ a b Schepetkin, Igor A.; Khlebnikov, Andrei I.; Ah, Shin Young; Woo, Sang B.; Jeong, Choon-Soo; Klubachuk, Olesya N.; Kwon, Byoung S. (27 August 2003). "Characterization and biological activities of humic substances from mumie". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 51 (18): 5245–5254\. doi:10.1021/jf021101e. ISSN 0021-8561. PMID 12926866.
20. ^ Stohs, Sidney J. (3 April 2014). "Safety and Efficacy of Shilajit (Mumie, Moomiyo): SHILAJIT (MUMIE, MOOMIYO) SAFETY AND EFFICACY". Phytotherapy Research. 28 (4): 475–479\. doi:10.1002/ptr.5018. PMID 23733436. S2CID 22593008.
21. ^ Schepetkin, Igor A.; Xie, Gang; Jutila, Mark A.; Quinn, Mark T. (1 March 2009). "Complement-fixing activity of fulvic acid from Shilajit and other natural sources". Phytotherapy Research. 23 (3): 373–384\. doi:10.1002/ptr.2635. ISSN 1099-1573. PMC 2650748. PMID 19107845.
22. ^ Konstantinov, A. I.; Vladimirov, G. N.; Grigoryev, A. S.; Kudryavtsev, A. V.; Perminova, I. V.; Nikolaev, E. N. (2013). "Molecular Composition Study of Mumijo from Different Geographic Areas Using Size-Exclusion Chromatography, NMR Spectroscopy, and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry". In Xu, Jianming; Wu, Jianjun; He, Yan (eds.). Functions of Natural Organic Matter in Changing Environment. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. pp. 283–287\. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-5634-2_52. ISBN 978-94-007-5634-2.
23. ^ Stohs, Sidney J. (3 April 2014). "Safety and Efficacy of Shilajit (Mumie, Moomiyo)". Phytotherapy Research. 28 (4): 475–479\. doi:10.1002/ptr.5018. PMID 23733436. S2CID 22593008.
24. ^ Organic Aprico (1 October 2024). "How to Identify Authentic Himalayan Shilajit". Organic Aprico. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
25. ^ Adil Hussain, Asma Saeed: Hazardous or Advantageous: Uncovering the Roles of Heavy Metals and Humic Substances in Shilajit (Phyto-mineral) with Emphasis on Heavy Metals Toxicity and Their Detoxification Mechanisms. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2024 Dec;202(12):5794-5814. doi: 10.1007/s12011-024-04109-4. Epub 23 Feb 2024.
26. ^ Morgado, Afonso; Tsampoukas, Georgios; Sokolakis, Ioannis; Schoentgen, Nadja; Urkmez, Ahmet; Sarikaya, Selcuk (2024). "Do "testosterone boosters" really increase serum total testosterone? A systematic review". International Journal of Impotence Research. 36 (4): 348–364\. doi:10.1038/s41443-023-00763-9. ISSN 1476-5489.
27. ^ Пещеры: Выпуск 14-15 (in Russian). Пермский государственный университет. pp. 174–267.
28. ^ a b Savinykh, Mikhail (15 May 2022). Encyclopedia of mumiyo (in Russian). Litres. ISBN 978-5-04-090878-3.
29. ^ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10227353/

Look up shilajit in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
*[lit.]: literal translation