What is Shilajit?

Shilajit is an ancient herbal substance containing over 85 minerals and trace elements the human body needs to function optimally and fulvic acid which helps the body absorb these minerals at a cellular level. Shilajit has been consumed as a dietary supplement for thousands of years in Asia because of the many benefits it provides.

How is it made?

Over Many millions of years, plants and organic matter were trapped by layers of rock in mountainous regions of India and Tibet. The pressure from the weight of the mountains and the extreme temperature changes causes the plants to be transformed into a rich mineral mass that flows out of the rocks. This is Shilajit.

Are there different types?

Yes!
The purity and potency depend upon the location and altitude the Shilajit is harvested, the purification techniques used, and, most importantly, the quality of the shilajit.

Very few people, outside of the areas where it is collected, are aware that there are four different qualities of shilajit. Only the highest grade (Gold Grade) is considered to have all of the legendary properties one reads about. When any of the four grades of shilajit are purified the result will be a black tar-like resin. To select the highest grade, one must first see the color and type of rock the shilajit is found in before it is purified. The most effective Shilajit comes from the highest points of the Himalayas, approximately 16,000 – 18,000 feet above sea level, which is where we at Lotus Blooming Herbs source our Shilajit. The highest grade is found in the red/gold-colored rock pictured.
Because we travel to the source and deal directly with the Indigenous people who have been hand-collecting shilajit for centuries, we can select only the highest-grade shilajit. We are the only source for authentic gold-grade shilajit outside of the areas where it is collected. Check out our blog for pictures and stories of our journey.

How does it work?

The minerals in shilajit are in ionic form, which means the body can more easily absorb and move them to areas where the minerals are needed for the growth and maintenance of cells. In Ayurveda, gold-grade shilajit is believed to be a rasayana or rejuvenation substance. It is thought to have the unique ability to bring the essence to any tissue system (dhatu). For example, the essence of muscle (mamsa) is to give shape, the essence of blood (rakta) is to bring life, and the essence of the marrow/nervous system (maja) is to bestow knowledge.
How do I take it?
To consume, simply dissolve in hot, nonchlorinated water, tea, or warm milk and drink. Alternatively one can dissolve under the tongue or simply swallow a portion if the taste is too unpleasant.

We recommend starting with rice to pea-sized portions, one to three times a day for general well-being. The amount can be increased for greater energy and effect.
*Traditional Ayurvedic instructions recommend that shilajit be dissolved in hot organic milk taken with ghee (clarified butter) or taken with raw, unpasteurized honey to increase delivery to the body. If one is a vegan one may substitute the previously mentioned products with sesame oil or coconut oil. Follow with a cup of hot water. If one has a Pitta constitution ghee is recommended, for Vata sesame oil, and Kapha honey is best.

Is it safe?

Absolutely- Shilajit has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. Our product is naturally purified with filtered spring water and then laboratory tested for safety and purity.
We test every batch of shilajit at an independent, cGMP-certified, FDA-registered, third-party laboratory here in the USA. Testing is done to California Prop 65 regulations which are the most rigid in the world for heavy metals. California Prop 65 limits are so tough that drinking water, vegetables, and fruit were made exempt from testing because they cannot meet these standards.
CLICK HERE for the most recent tests of our current batch. The “specifications” are California Prop 65 limits and the “results” are what our shilajit tested to.
These results are not just safe, they are far below the levels in many of the foods we consume daily.
The standard supplement disclaimer applies: If you are pregnant or lactating or under a doctor’s care for any health condition you should consult with your physician before taking this or any other supplement.

Are there any contraindications?

Authentic Shilajit™ is very safe.
There is a very small trace amount of phenylalanine, an essential amino acid. All products containing phenylalanine are contraindicated in people who have been diagnosed with the genetic disorder PKU (phenylketonuria).
Shilajit should not be mixed with chlorinated water. Fulvic and humic acids, when combined with chlorine, create dangerous chemical byproducts. Beware of other commercially available shilajit extracts and powders that may have been processed with chlorinated water.
The standard supplement disclaimer applies: If you are pregnant or lactating or under a doctor’s care for any health condition you should consult with your physician before taking this or any other supplement.
How is shilajit used for Rasayana (rejuvenation)?
Shilajit stimulates the growth process of skin cells at a molecular level. It improves the blood’s ability to carry oxygen and iron. These properties of shilajit give people a healthy appearance and youthful glow. Likewise, Shilajit’s minerals help to maintain the body’s optimum energy metabolism rate which naturally slows down with age. This is achieved partly through balancing electrolyte levels, and by burning off excess fat. Ayurveda practitioners tout its ability to balance hormone levels that change and cause stress as we age.
How is Shilajit used for health and wellness?
A great many health issues can be traced to mineral or nutrient deficiencies. Intensive chemical farming (through pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, etc) and irrigation have removed natural minerals and beneficial microbes from our agricultural land and the plants grown on it. Shilajit contains many of the vital minerals and trace elements needed for energy reactions in our cells and the growth of new cells and high percentages of fulvic acid to help transport these mineral molecules deep into the body.
Are there any other benefits?
Yes – trace minerals and fulvic acid in Shilajit act as catalysts for vitamin absorption within cells, with subsequent health benefits.
How long will it take to work?
Many people report feeling improved energy and stamina levels within 10 days. For maximum benefits, we recommend taking one to three portions of Shilajit per day over a 6-8-week period.