Shilajit: A compilation of scientific literature supporting potential health effects
Shilajit, a revered adaptogenic substance used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, has been growing exponentially in the near past.
Here is a compilation of all available scientific papers suggesting the potential health benefits of Shilajit.
*Disclaimer* - None of the following information is medical advice. Information provided on this website is for education and research purposes only.
None of the following statements have been evaluated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Please consult your medical professional before commencing any health protocol.
Science-Supported Potential Health Benefits of Shilajit
- May present antioxidant properties [2][7][13][14][23][27][31][32][45][54][58][59]
- May present anti-ageing properties [29][30]
- May increase androgenic hormones (namely testosterone & DHEA) [1][9]
- May reduce anxiety [6][12][18][27][36][48][70]
- May improve stress tolerance [27][33][60]
- May counterract exhaustion and fatigue [11][27]
- May positively modulate immune response [8][31][34][35][49][66][67]
- May improve muscular strength [11][17]
- May improve recovery and athletic performance [17][33]
- May improve fertility[9][43][55]
- May enhance libido [43]
- May protect against neurodegeneration & demonstrate neuroprotective properties [3][4][16] [56][58][74]
- May detoxify and protect from heavy metals (fulvic acid has a heavy metal binding capacity 5-100x stronger than clays) [19][24][26][43]
- May present antiv1ral properties [42][46]
- May enhance bioavailability and retention of minerals in the cell [19]
- May improve mitochondrial energy production [27][28][33]
- May inhibit proliferation of c@ncerous cells via inducing apoptosis [7][65]
- May be liver protective [7][39][40]
- May bind to pesticides, block their absorption, and detoxify them from the body - specifically glyphosate [21]. Fulvic acid may also neutralize the antimicrobial effects on glyphosate, potentially helping maintain healthy gut flora [8][22]
- May mitigate gr@phene toxicity [75][76]
- May restore blood brain barrier integrity [56]
- May support bone health [45][47][64][72]
- May improve wound healing [51][62][68][71]
- May enhance learning retention [6]
- May enhance memory [6][36]
- May protect against and detoxify r@diation (radionuclides) [20][44][54]
- May be cardioprotective [13][14][53]
- May be photoprotective, potentially increasing tolerance to UV light and reducing sunburn and skin damage [8]
- May present antimicrobial properties [16][22][23]
- May present antifungal properties [23][37]
- Fulvic acid may influence tum0r healing [7][25][41]
- May improve erectile function [38]
- May increase dopamine levels [6]
- Has been used to supporting the healing skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, seborrheic keratosis, pruritis and actinic keratosis [23][52]
- May promote healthy digestion and absorption of foods [8]
- May protect against high-altitude related illness, such as hypoxia, muscular degeneration, acute mountain sickness (AMS) and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) [8]
- May support acclimatisation to high altitudes [8]
- May improve iron absorption and bioavailability [8]
- May improve disease resistance [49]
- May support iron-deficiency anemia, without causing iron toxicity [15]
- May improve pain tolerance [12][63]
- May reduce alcohol withdrawal and dependence symptoms [18]
- Potentially displays positive effects against opi0id withdrawal, dependence and tolerance [61]
- May promote deep, cellular remineralisation [3]
- May present antiulcerogenic properties [50][68][73]
- May present antipsychotic properties [57][69]
Links to Supporting Evidence
Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers [1]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26395129/
Therapeutic Potential of Fulvic Acid in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and Diabetes [2]
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jdr/2018/5391014/
Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity [3]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296184/
Fulvic acid inhibits aggregation and promotes disassembly of tau fibrils associated with Alzheimer's disease [4]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21785188/
Complement-fixing activity of fulvic acid from Shilajit and other natural sources [5]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19107845/
Effects of Shilajit on memory, anxiety and brain monoamines in rats [6]
Mineral pitch induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation via modulating reactive oxygen species in hepatic c@ncer cells [7]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4882837/
Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems [8]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2876922/
Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia [9]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20078516/
Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo) [10]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23733436/
The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels [11]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30728074/
Glycine- and GABA-mimetic Actions of Shilajit on the Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons of the Trigeminal Subnucleus Caudalis in Mice [12]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3222798/
Shilajit: evaluation of its effects on blood chemistry of normal human subjects [13]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22557121/
Cardioprotective effect of mumie (shilajit) on experimentally induced myocardial injury [14]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24448712/
Evaluation of safety profile of black shilajit after 91 days repeated administration in rats [15]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609271/
Mumijo Traditional Medicine: Fossil Deposits from Antarctica (Chemical Composition and Beneficial Bioactivity) [16]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3139983/
The Human Skeletal Muscle Transcriptome in Response to Oral Shilajit Supplementation [17]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4948208/
Effect of Withania Somnifera and Shilajit on Alcohol Addiction in Mice [18]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4883068/
Humic + Fulvic acid mitigated Cd adverse effects on plant growth, physiology and biochemical properties of garden cress [19]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8044109/
Direct and Indirect Detoxification Effects of Humic Substances [20]
Adsorption of Glyphosate by Humic Substances [21]
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jf950620x
Neutralization of the antimicrobial effect of glyphosate by humic acid in vitro [22]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24268342/
Effects of Fulvic Acid on Skin A brief literature review [23]
Effects of a fulvic acid on the adsorption of mercury and cadmium on goethite [24]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12663188/
Yuan, Shenyuan; Fulvic Acid, 4 1988; in Application of Fulvic acid and its derivatives in the fields of agriculture and medicine; First Edition: June 1993 [25]
https://www.purefulvicminerals.com/wp-content/uploads/fulvicacidii-1.pdf
Effect of fulvic acids on lead-induced oxidative stress to metal sensitive Vicia faba L. plant [26]
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00374-012-0662-9
Shilajit attenuates behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and mitochondrial bioenergetics in rats [27]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22771318/
Effect of humic substances on mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation [28]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0048969787905213?via%3Dihub
Therapeutic Potentials of "Shilajit Rasayana" - A Review [29]
Spectroscopic characterization of fulvic acids extracted from the rock exudate Shilajit [30]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0146638008002647
Effect of fulvic and humic acids on performance, immune response and thyroid function in rats [31]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21073632/
Effects of shilajit on biogenic free radicals [32]
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2650090113
BENEFICIAL EFFECT OF PROCESSED SHILAJIT ON SWIMMING EXERCISE INDUCED IMPAIRED ENERGY STATUS OF MICE [33]
Effect of Shilajit on Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages [34]
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2650070608
Chemistry of shilajit, an immunomodulatory Ayurvedic rasayan [35]
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1351/pac199062071285/pdf
Effects of shilajit and its active constituents on learning and memory in rats [36]
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2650070109
Antifungal activity screening and hplc analysis of crude extract from Tectona grandis, Shilajit, Valeriana wallachi [37]
Parasympathomimetic effect of shilajit accounts for relaxation of rat corpus cavernosum [38]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23060465/
Hepatoprotective effects of Shilajit on high fat-diet induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats [39]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32083445/
Protective Roles of Shilajit in Modulating Resistin, Adiponectin, and Cytokines in Rats with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease [40]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35258780/
Mumio (Shilajit) as a potential chem0therapeutic for the urinary bladder c@ncer treatment [41]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34799663/
Antiv1ral activity of natural humic substances and shilajit materials against HiV-1: Relation to structure [42]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33065073/
Profertility effects of Shilajit on cadmium-induced infertility in male mice [43]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29947420/
Evaluation of preventive effect of shilajit on r@diation-induced apoptosis on ovaries [44]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26530234/
Shilajit extract reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss to dose-dependently preserve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial [45]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35933897/
In vitro evaluation of the antiv1ral properties of Shilajit and investigation of its mechanisms of action [46]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25792012/
Accelerating effect of Shilajit on osteogenic property of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) [47]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36153551/
Activation of Strychnine-Sensitive Glycine Receptors by Shilajit on Preoptic Hypothalamic Neurons of Juvenile Mice [48]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26875561/
Protective efficacy of Shilajit enriched diet on growth performance and immune resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in Oreochromis mossambicus [49]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30102974/
Antiulcerogenic and antiinflammatory studies with shilajit [50]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2345464/
Development of dual crosslinked mumio-based hydrogel dressing for wound healing application: Physico-chemistry and antimicrobial activity [51]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378517321007584
Skin Transcriptome of Middle-Aged Women Supplemented With Natural Herbo-mineral Shilajit Shows Induction of Microvascular and Extracellular Matrix Mechanisms [52]
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07315724.2018.1564088?journalCode=uacn20
Effect of shilajit on the heart of Daphnia: A preliminary study [53]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22529672/
Ameliorative efficacy of bioencapsulated Chironomous larvae with Shilajit on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to Ionizing r@diation [54]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28697403/
The spermatogenic and ovogenic effects of chronically administered Shilajit to rats [55]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16698205/
The Effects of Shilajit on Brain Edema, Intracranial Pressure and Neurologic Outcomes following the Traumatic Brain Injury in Rat [56]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23997917/
Antiepileptic and antipsychotic activities of standardized Śilājatu (Shilajit) in experimental animals [57]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26865744/
Novel Nutraceutical Compounds in Alzheimer Prevention [58]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35204750/
Oxidative stress induced by lead and antioxidant potential of certain adaptogens in poultry [59]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21170243/
Adaptogenic activity of Siotone, a polyherbal formulation of Ayurvedic rasayanas [60]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11218827/
Traditional Chinese and Indian medicine in the treatment of 0pioid-dependence: a review [61]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25050276/
Ferulic Acid Induces Keratin 6α via Inhibition of Nuclear β-Catenin Accumulation and Activation of Nrf2 in Wound-Induced Inflammation [62]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33922346/
Mumijo attenuates chemically induced inflammatory pain in mice [63]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25830280/
Efficacy of Momiai in Tibia Fracture Repair: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial [64]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32310691/
Mummy Induces Apoptosis Through Inhibiting of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Human Breast C@ncer Cells [65]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34466597/
1mmunostimulant effect of a mixed herbal extract on infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) v@ccinated chickens in the context of a co-infection model of avian 1nfluenza v1rus H9N2 and IBDV [66]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32563798/
Characterization and biological activities of humic substances from mumie [67]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12926866/
Phenol-Rich Compounds Sweet Gel: A Statistically More Effective Antibiotic than Cloxacillin Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa [68]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27695634/
Role of humic acid on oral drug delivery of an antiepileptic drug [69]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20815797/
Evaluation of the Anxiolytic Activity of NR-ANX-C (a Polyherbal Formulation) in Ethanol Withdrawal-Induced Anxiety Behavior in Rats [70]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20953426/
The Effect of Mummy on Some Indices of Wound Healing in Mice [71]
https://jkmu.kmu.ac.ir/article_17387.html
[Reparative regeneration of the bone tissue under the effect of mumie-asyl] [72]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/530633/
Ulcer healing activity of Mumijo aqueous extract against acetic acid induced gastric ulcer in rats [73]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25709338/
Erchuan Wang et al, Humic acid, 3 (1991) [74]
Humic acid acts as a natural antidote of gr@phene by regulating nanomaterial translocation and metabolic fluxes in vivo [75]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24857237/
Mitigation in Multiple Effects of Gr@phene 0xide Toxicity in Zebrafish Embryogenesis Driven by Humic Acid [76]