‘Shilajit’ , a word derived from Sanskrit, meaning “conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness”, is an age-old rejuvenating and antiaging compound that has proven to offer numerous health benefits over centuries. Also known as salajit, mummiyo, and mimie, this is a blackish-brown resin-like substance extracted from high mountain rocks in the Himalayas, Russia, Afghanistan, and Tibet.
Shilajit is rich in fulvic acid, antioxidants, and over 80 minerals and substances that enhance overall health. It is formed by organic matter over several hundred years.
Known as the ‘conqueror of weaknesses’, shilajit is a natural wonder that offers incredible health benefits.
Let us dive in to understand about its formation, extraction, chemical properties, and health benefits in detail.
Formation and Extraction of Shilajit
Shilajit is a natural substance formed by the gradual decomposition of certain plants and organic matter for centuries. This potent herb has been formed on the rocks of Himalayan mountains for several hundred years and is rich in minerals, elements, and organic acids. When found on the rocks, shilajit contains several impurities like sand, gravel, humus, bacteria, and other microbes. Consequently, it is extracted and purified for safe consumption.
Several processes of extraction, filtration, and purification are performed in a way that it retains its natural properties and mineral quotient.
Composition and Properties of Shilajit
Research highlights that more than 80% of shilajit comprises of humic and fulvic substances while the other 20% consists of calcium, magnesium, potassium, proteins and amino acids, bioactive compounds, fatty acids, and heavy metals like selenium, chromium, and cobalt. It contains more than 84 minerals including copper, zinc, silver, and iron.
Listed below are the properties of shilajit:
- It contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
- It exhibits immunomodulatory activity
- It may have digestive properties
- It consists of memory-enhancing properties
- It may have blood sugar lowering effect
- It has anti-Alzheimer properties
- It may have anti-asthmatic properties
- It has adaptogenic properties
- It may perform anti-tumour activity
According to Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD,
This remarkable natural substance also contains various oligoelements, including selenium, known for their potential anti-aging properties.
Health Benefits of Shilajit
Shilajit is a herbs-mineral drug, containing ample amounts of fulvic acid and mineral constituent. The fulvic acid stimulates blood formation, energy production, and prevents cold exposure and hypoxia. It actively takes part in the transportation of nutrients into deep tissues and helps to overcome tiredness, lethargy, and chronic fatigue. It also works effectively as a tonic for cardiac, gastric, and nervous systems, adaptogen and anti-stress agent. Following are some of the potential benefits of shilajit.
Improve cognitive function
Shilajit resin is rich in fulvic acid and helps boost memory and learning. It develops the brain connections, which further improves memory and recall of information. Its antioxidant properties provide neuroprotective benefits, guarding against oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases. It helps prevent the accumulation of toxic compounds that could injure brain cells and lowers inflammation. Shilajit improves the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the brain, increasing mental alertness and decreasing mental weariness. It promotes ideal brain health by triggering brain cell renewal. Certain studies have also found that shilajit is potentially helpful in improving the symptoms of cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
Reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
Research suggests that shilajit helps improve cellular function and increases energy levels. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that shilajit was helpful in reducing the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The study highlights that shilajit naturally boosts the body’s mitochondrial function, which is a major dysfunction in the case of CFS.
Enhance immunity
Shilajit contains a broad spectrum of beneficial minerals and components that improve the body’s natural immune-response and provide oxygen to the muscle tissues. Research has found that shilajit helps combat hypoxia, i.e., lack of oxygen supply, which leads to altitude sickness. Shilajit’s potent minerals and components improve memory and immunity, boost energy and remove excess fluid from the body. These benefits in turn help overcome many symptoms associated with altitude sickness.
Improve testosterone levels and fertility
Shilajit is widely known for promoting hormonal and reproductive health. It promotes healthy testosterone levels and sperm production in men, and also manages premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. The rich mineral content in shilajit contributes to bone health and promotes overall well-being.
Boost stamina
Shilajit is renowned worldwide for its potential to boost endurance and stamina. Due to its property of enhancing physical performance, it is widely popular amongst athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Shilajit plays an active role in providing oxygen supply to the cells and tissues of the body, which results in strength, vitality, and delayed fatigue.
Improve exercise and rejuvenation
Shilajit has been found to boost performance, repair muscle tissue from wear and tear, as well as speed up wound healing and exercise-related injuries. Certain studies show that athletes experienced enhanced muscle strength and lesser post-workout fatigue with regular intake of shilajit. It is also found to aid muscle elasticity and recovery. Including shilajit supplements in pre-workout routine has been found to be helpfulfor rejuvenation and post-workout recovery.
Enhance muscle and bone strength
Shilajit is found to have a favourable effect on retention of muscle strength. It helps in enhancing fatigue-related metabolism and increases muscle strength and muscle mass. After an exhausting workout session, it is potentially beneficial for recovering from muscle fatigue by building muscle strength. Shilajit also offers a positive impact on maintaining bone health. It fights and prevents bone loss, by improving bone density.
Boost heart health
Shilajit is well-known for its cardioprotective properties that reduce cholesterol, keep the cells healthy, and slow down the aging process. Its antioxidant properties help relieve the symptoms of palpitations and abnormal heart rhythm. A study on animal model showed that shilajit helped against heart muscle injuries. However, human trials are yet to be performed.
Alleviate stress and anxiety
Shilajit is found to curb stress hormones and increase the production of happy hormones to uplift mood and the feeling of well-being. It has calming, relaxing, and soothing properties that reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep quality.
Gain Optimal Health and Wellness with Mineral-Rich Shilajit
Shilajit is nature’s storehouse of minerals and nutrient components. It is rich in properties that benefit in promoting physical and mental wellness. This natural herb has been used over centuries to prevent several health conditions and enhance overall health. Shilajit is equally beneficial to both men and women, making it a rich powerhouse of strength, stamina, immunity, hormonal and reproductive health, as well as bone-muscle strength.
The method of extracting and obtaining pure shilajit, processing it in a way that it retains its natural properties is a meticulous and hefty task. If mixed with wrong components, or not processed rightly, it could hamper the quality of shilajit. It is always best to switch to reliable, natural and chemical-free shilajit to gain its optimal benefits and become a healthier version of yourself.
