The Science of Shilajit

Formed over millennia
beneath Himalayan rock.

Deep in the Himalayas, at altitudes above 16,000 feet, ancient plant matter has been slowly compressed and transformed over millennia into one of nature's most concentrated mineral resins. Shilajit is not a plant extract. It is not a synthetic supplement. It is a geological substance — and the research behind it is more rigorous than most people expect.

3,000+ years of documented medicinal use
16,000ft the altitude where quality begins
80+ trace minerals in a single serving

Worth knowing before you buy anything

Most shilajit on the market contains very little of what makes shilajit work.

An independent review of 8 commercial shilajit products found that active compound content varied by nearly 32,000% between brands — meaning some products had almost none of the active ingredient they claimed. This is not a minor quality gap. It is a category-wide transparency problem. The only way to know what is in a product is to test it — and publish the results for every batch. That is what we do. And it matters because most people are already mineral-deficient — modern soil simply doesn't deliver what it used to. The supplement only works if it actually contains what it claims.

What it actually is

Not a plant. Not a mineral. Something older than both.

Shilajit begins as ancient alpine plant matter — mosses, lichens, and highland vegetation — that gets slowly buried, compressed, and transformed over millions of years under the weight of mountain rock. Heat, pressure, microbial activity, and time gradually convert it into a dense, tar-like resin that seeps through rock crevices during the warm summer months.

What makes it unusual is what survives that process. The fulvic acid, the trace minerals, and a class of energy-supporting compounds called dibenzo-alpha-pyrones are concentrated and preserved by the geology itself — which is why altitude matters so much. Above 16,000 feet, the conditions are extreme enough to produce a significantly different and more potent material than what forms at lower elevations.

It is also why the source, the altitude, and the purification method make an enormous difference in what ends up in the jar — and why most products on the market fall short of what the research is actually based on.

It is a geological substance, not a plant extract Shilajit forms over millennia from decomposed alpine plant matter under compressive mountain pressure. By the time it reaches the surface, it has been fundamentally transformed — it shares more in common with ancient humus than with any plant it originated from.
Altitude determines quality — significantly The most bioactive shilajit forms above 16,000 feet, where intense UV light, dramatic temperature swings, and low atmospheric pollution create conditions that concentrate and preserve its active compounds. Lower-altitude material is less potent and more likely to contain contaminants from agricultural runoff and pollution.
Its plant origins are traceable Researchers have traced specific compounds in shilajit back to particular plant species — including mosses and highland clovers that are known to concentrate trace minerals in unusually high quantities. The minerals in shilajit were originally absorbed from Himalayan soil by those plants, then concentrated further through geological transformation over thousands of years.
Raw shilajit must be purified before use In its raw form, shilajit contains heavy metals, fungi, and other contaminants that make it unsafe to consume directly. Proper purification — water-extraction and careful low-temperature concentration — removes contaminants while preserving the active compounds. Research has shown that unpurified shilajit produces erratic, unreliable effects. The purification process is not optional; it is what makes the product work consistently and safely.

Swipe to explore →

A 3,000-Year Medical Tradition

Ancient physicians classified shilajit with extraordinary precision. Modern research keeps proving them right.

What the name means

Shilajit

From Sanskrit roots meaning rock and emergence — reflecting how resin seeps from stone over long spans of pressure and time. Texts often describe both its mountain origin and the depth of nourishment ancient physicians associated with disciplined use.

Its highest classification

Rasayana

Rasayana is Ayurveda's rejuvenation category — reserved for substances believed to slow aging, prevent disease, and strengthen the body at its most fundamental level. Charaka, one of the most respected ancient physicians in recorded history, placed shilajit at the top of this category.

Its cognitive classification

Medhya Rasayana

A sub-category specifically for substances that support mental clarity, memory, and cognitive function. Shilajit is one of the only substances placed in both the physical vitality and cognitive categories simultaneously — a classification that modern brain research on fulvic acid is beginning to explain.

Why it amplifies other things

Yogavahi

Ancient texts described shilajit as a "carrier" — something that makes everything it is combined with more effective. Modern science now understands why: fulvic acid, shilajit's primary active compound, genuinely enhances the absorption of other nutrients by helping them cross cell membranes more easily.

The original source text

Charaka Samhita

Written around the 1st century CE, this is one of the foundational texts of Ayurvedic medicine and one of the oldest detailed medical documents in existence. It describes shilajit at length — its sourcing, its preparation, its applications, and its contraindications — with a level of clinical specificity that reads surprisingly like a modern pharmacological monograph.

How long to take it

40 to 90 Days

The Charaka Samhita prescribed rasayana protocols of 40 to 90 days minimum. Every major modern clinical trial on shilajit runs for 8 to 14 weeks — which is almost exactly the same window. The ancient prescription and the modern research timeline arrived at the same conclusion independently, 2,000 years apart.

Swipe to explore →

The pattern that keeps emerging: Clinical researchers designing shilajit trials today consistently land on the same timeframe that Ayurvedic physicians prescribed two millennia ago. Whether or not that is a coincidence, it is worth taking seriously.

Why the form it comes in matters

Not all shilajit products are the same — and the difference is significant.

Powder & Capsules

Made by drying and grinding the resin, or using chemical solvents to extract it. The heat involved in drying destroys some of the most delicate active compounds. Capsule form also makes it easy to hide low-quality or adulterated material — because you cannot see what is inside.

Easy to take on the go Longer shelf life Narrower active compound profile
Traditional · Jivaka

Pure Resin

Water-extracted and gently concentrated at low temperature — the same method described in ancient texts. Nothing is added. Nothing is destroyed by heat. The full spectrum of active compounds — fulvic acid, energy-supporting compounds, humic acid, and over 80 trace minerals — is preserved exactly as nature produced it.

Full compound spectrum — nothing removed or destroyed Dissolves in warm water for faster absorption than capsules Visually inspectable — adulteration is immediately obvious The form prescribed in every classical text

Standardized Extracts

Solvent-processed to concentrate fulvic acid to a specific percentage. Higher standardization sounds appealing, but the process strips out other compounds that work alongside fulvic acid. Most clinical trials have used this format — which means the research reflects a narrower version of what whole resin contains.

Precise fulvic acid percentage Basis for most published trials Reduced compound diversity

Swipe to explore →

* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Active Compounds

What's actually inside — and what each part does for your body.

Shilajit is not a single ingredient. It is a complex of naturally occurring compounds that work together. Here is what the research shows about each one — in plain terms.

Compound
What it does
How it works in plain terms
Fulvic Acid
≥70% in Jivaka resin (batch tested)
Helps your body absorb minerals. Supports the immune system. Reduces inflammation. Carries nutrients into cells.
Think of fulvic acid as a key. It binds to minerals in your body and unlocks the door to the cell — making those minerals far easier to absorb than they would be on their own. It also helps regulate your body's inflammatory response and may support the transport of nutrients across the barrier that protects your brain, delivering them directly where they are needed most.
Dibenzo-α-Pyrones (DBPs)
Found exclusively in shilajit
Supports your cells' ability to produce energy. Protects mitochondria from damage.
Your cells produce energy in small structures called mitochondria. DBPs support a critical step in that process — helping your mitochondria run more efficiently and produce less cellular waste. Less waste means less wear on your cells over time. Interestingly, DBPs are structurally identical to a compound found in pomegranates that has its own growing body of research on muscle health and healthy aging.
DBP-Chromoproteins (DCPs)
10–20% of purified resin
Delivers DBPs deeper into cells. Supports the body's response to physical and mental stress.
DCPs are essentially DBPs wrapped in a protein carrier — think of it like a delivery vehicle. That carrier helps DBPs reach their destination inside cells more effectively. Research suggests DCPs may be 2 to 5 times more potent than DBPs alone because of how much better they are absorbed and utilized by the body.
Humic Acid
7.83% in Jivaka resin (batch tested)
Supports gut health. Helps bind and remove unwanted substances from the digestive tract.
Humic acid is a larger molecule that works mainly in your digestive system rather than entering your cells directly. It acts like a slow-release agent — gradually breaking down into beneficial compounds as it moves through your gut. It also helps bind heavy metals and other unwanted substances in the digestive tract, which may reduce how much of them the body absorbs from food.
Ionic Trace Minerals
80+ naturally occurring elements
Provides the raw materials your body needs for hundreds of biological functions.
Most mineral supplements use forms that your body struggles to absorb — they often pass through without being fully used. The minerals in shilajit are different. They are already bonded to fulvic acid, which acts as a natural escort — protecting them from digestive interference and guiding them through the gut wall and into circulation in a form your cells can actually use.

Fulvic Acid · Closer Look

The molecule small enough to enter every cell in your body.

Fulvic acid is exceptionally small — small enough to pass through cell membranes that most substances cannot cross. To put that in perspective, most pharmaceutical drugs are designed to be small enough to enter cells, and fulvic acid is in that same size range. This is what allows it to act as a carrier, bringing minerals and nutrients directly inside the cell rather than leaving them waiting at the door.

Its ability to bind minerals is also exceptional. Fulvic acid has a very high capacity to attract and hold positively charged mineral ions — far higher than ordinary soil compounds. This means it can pick up minerals in your digestive tract, shield them from substances in your diet that would normally block their absorption (like those found in grains and legumes), and release them precisely where they are needed inside the cell.

Fulvic acid also has antioxidant properties, meaning it may help neutralize harmful free radicals — unstable molecules that cause oxidative stress and contribute to cellular aging over time.

~2 kDa Molecular size — small enough to cross cell membranes
High binding Mineral-carrying capacity far above ordinary compounds
All pH Remains active through stomach acid and beyond

Dibenzo-α-Pyrones · Closer Look

The compounds that help your cells make energy more cleanly.

Every cell in your body runs on a molecule called ATP — essentially the cell's unit of usable energy. Your mitochondria produce ATP through a chain of chemical reactions. At one specific step in that chain, a molecule called CoQ10 acts as an electron carrier. When this step goes smoothly, energy is produced. When it goes wrong, it produces cellular waste instead.

DBPs help stabilize CoQ10 at that exact step — reducing the amount of waste produced and supporting more efficient energy output. As we age, mitochondria become less efficient at this process, which is one reason why energy levels and recovery tend to decline over time. This is the biological context in which shilajit's DBPs have been studied.

Research has also shown that shilajit, through this mechanism, may help reduce the drop in cellular energy that typically follows intense physical exercise — with effects that appear to be amplified when taken alongside CoQ10 directly.

Unique to shilajit Not found in any other natural source at meaningful levels
CoQ10 support Works synergistically — effects amplified when combined
Energy + aging Studied for mitochondrial decline associated with age

How your cells make energy

Where shilajit fits in the process — explained simply.

I

Step 1

Energy from food enters the chain. The first handoff begins.

II

Step 2

A second energy source feeds in. Both pass to CoQ10.

III

Step 3 ← DBPs work here

CoQ10 passes energy along. DBPs stabilize this step, reducing waste and protecting the process.

IV

Step 4

Energy is passed to oxygen. Water is produced as a byproduct.

V

ATP Produced

The energy your body actually uses — stored and ready. ~32 units per glucose molecule.

Why this matters as you age: Mitochondria become less efficient over time — they produce more waste and less usable energy. This is one of the leading biological explanations for why energy, recovery, and cognitive sharpness tend to decline with age. The compounds in shilajit — particularly DBPs — have been studied specifically in the context of supporting this energy-making process and reducing the inefficiency that builds up over time.

The mineral profile

These are the trace minerals found in Jivaka Shilajit — each one already bonded to fulvic acid for better absorption. Verified by third-party lab testing (Eurofins, Feb 2026):

Magnesium · 854mg/100g Potassium · 12 262mg/100g Iron · 36.89mg/100g Copper · 144.56μg/100g Zinc · 12.12mg/kg Calcium Phosphorus Sodium Selenium Chromium Manganese Cobalt Iodine Molybdenum Lithium Strontium Vanadium Silicon Nickel Lutetium

Values shown reflect Batch ULSH2602022 tested by Eurofins Analytical Services India (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited). Mineral concentrations vary naturally across batches due to seasonal and geological factors — each batch is individually tested and reported on our Certificate of Analysis page.

Clinical Research

The studies. What they found. And what they actually mean.

Shilajit has more published human research behind it than most supplements on the market — and more nuance than most brands are willing to share. Below is the actual data from peer-reviewed journals, organized by health area, with the study details and honest caveats included. We show you what the research says, not just the parts that look best.

* All findings cited below are from published, peer-reviewed research. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Jivaka shilajit is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Animal Study Bhattacharyya et al. · Pharmacologyonline · 2009

Shilajit and CoQ10 on cellular energy levels after exercise-induced exhaustion

Mouse study · 7-day forced-swim exhaustion model · Shilajit given at 30 mg/kg · Cellular energy (ATP) measured in muscle, brain, and blood after exercise

↑ Cellular energy in muscle after exercise was roughly double in the shilajit group compared to the control group — the cells recovered significantly more energy
↑ The overall energy balance of cells improved meaningfully, suggesting the body was managing energy more efficiently
↑ Taking shilajit and CoQ10 together produced better energy recovery than either one alone — they appear to work synergistically

Note: This is an animal study. Results in mice do not automatically translate to humans, though the underlying mechanism — shilajit's role in cellular energy production — has been explored in human studies as well.

Animal Study Surapaneni et al. · J Ethnopharmacol · 2012

Shilajit on chronic fatigue — energy production and stress response

Rat chronic fatigue model · 21 days of daily shilajit · Three different doses tested · Measured energy enzyme activity in brain cells, antioxidant levels, and stress hormones

↑ The energy-producing enzymes inside brain cell mitochondria were preserved — meaning the cells stayed able to make energy even under prolonged stress conditions
↑ Natural antioxidant defenses were restored — the body's own protective systems were supported rather than depleted
↓ Stress hormone levels normalized in both directions — going up when too low, down when too high. This bidirectional balancing effect is the defining characteristic of a true adaptogen
↓ Behavioral signs of fatigue and anxiety both reduced significantly compared to control
Human Pilot Study Yadav et al. · Cureus · 2026

Shilajit resin on energy, body composition, and strength in healthy men — 28 days

25 healthy men · Average age 26 · Took 500mg shilajit resin daily in warm water for 28 days · Measured fatigue, body composition, strength, and inflammation markers

↓ Self-reported fatigue dropped by 32% over the 28-day period — participants felt meaningfully less tired
↑ Lean body mass increased by 1.5% while body fat decreased by 2.3% — a favorable shift in body composition
↑ Leg press strength increased by nearly 13% — a clinically meaningful improvement in lower body power
↓ A key inflammation marker (CRP) dropped by 25%, suggesting reduced systemic inflammation

This study had no placebo group for comparison, meaning we cannot fully rule out expectation effects. The authors acknowledge this limitation directly. The results are promising but should be interpreted with that context in mind.

Swipe to explore →

RCT · Skin Study Das et al. · J Am Coll Nutr · 2019

Shilajit on skin structure and blood flow — 14 weeks

Healthy middle-aged women · Double-blind · 250mg or 500mg daily for 14 weeks · Skin tissue samples analyzed using a high-resolution gene expression platform measuring millions of data points

↑ Thousands of genes in skin tissue showed meaningful changes — one of the broadest gene expression responses documented for any supplement in skin research
↑ The most activated pathways were related to new blood vessel formation and structural protein production — both of which support skin firmness, elasticity, and circulation
↑ The higher dose group showed significantly improved skin microperfusion — better blood flow through the tiny vessels that feed skin cells — compared to placebo
Double-Blind RCT Neltner et al. · J Diet Suppl · 2024

Shilajit on a blood marker of collagen production — 8 weeks

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled · Two doses tested: 500mg and 1,000mg daily · Measured a blood marker that reflects how actively the body is building new collagen

↑ At 500mg per day, the collagen production marker nearly doubled over 8 weeks — a 94% increase
↑ At 1,000mg per day, the same marker increased by 165% — showing a dose-dependent response
↑ 75% of participants in the higher dose group showed a clinically meaningful improvement, compared to 30% in the placebo group
Human RCT · Gene Expression Das et al. · J Med Food · 2016

Shilajit activates collagen and connective tissue genes in human muscle

16 adults · Shilajit 250mg twice daily for 8 weeks · Muscle tissue samples taken before and after · Analyzed using advanced gene expression technology to see which genes became more or less active

↑ Multiple collagen genes were switched on significantly — collagen is the structural protein that holds muscles, tendons, joints, and skin together
↑ Genes for fibronectin, elastin, and other structural proteins also increased — these are the building blocks of flexible, resilient connective tissue
↑ The overall pattern of gene changes closely mirrors what happens in muscle after exercise — suggesting shilajit may help trigger the same repair and rebuilding signals the body naturally uses
Double-Blind RCT Keller et al. · J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2019

Shilajit on muscle strength loss during intense exercise

63 active men · Double-blind · Placebo vs 250mg vs 500mg shilajit for 8 weeks · Participants performed an exhausting leg exercise protocol and strength was measured before and after

↑ The placebo group lost 16% of their strength during the fatigue protocol. The 500mg shilajit group lost only 9% — roughly half the strength decline
↓ A blood marker for collagen breakdown was significantly lower in the shilajit group — suggesting less structural tissue damage during intense effort

Swipe to explore →

Animal Study Jaiswal & Bhattacharya · Indian J Pharmacol · 1992

Shilajit's effect on brain chemistry — dopamine, focus, and mood

Rat study · Single dose and 5-day repeated dosing · Brain chemicals measured directly · Memory and anxiety tested through behavioral tasks

↑ Dopamine levels and dopamine activity increased in the brain — dopamine is the neurotransmitter most associated with focus, motivation, and drive
↓ Serotonin activity decreased slightly — this particular pattern (more dopamine, less serotonin dominance) is associated with sharper focus and goal-directed thinking
↑ Memory and learning performance improved significantly on standardized behavioral tests
↓ Anxiety-related behaviors reduced significantly — suggesting a calming effect alongside the cognitive one
→ A single dose produced no measurable brain chemistry change — the effect only appeared with sustained daily use over several days
Lab & Mechanistic Study Carrasco-Gallardo et al. · Int J Alzheimers Dis · 2012

Fulvic acid promotes brain cell growth and may protect against protein buildup linked to cognitive decline

Cultured rat brain (hippocampal) cells + computational modeling of how well fulvic acid could cross the brain's protective barrier

↑ Brain cells treated with fulvic acid grew significantly more extensions — the structural connections through which brain cells communicate with each other
↑ The length of these cellular extensions increased by nearly 50% — suggesting fulvic acid may support the physical connectivity of brain cells
↓ Fulvic acid significantly inhibited the clumping of a protein called tau — abnormal tau clumping is one of the hallmarks studied in age-related cognitive decline research

These findings are from cell studies, not human trials. Whether fulvic acid crosses from blood into the brain in living humans has not been definitively confirmed in published research — though its small molecular size and behavior in the body make it plausible.

Swipe to explore →

3,000 years of use as a cognitive tonic — and what the research suggests about why

In Ayurvedic medicine, shilajit was classified as a Medhya Rasayana — a substance specifically prescribed for sharpening the mind and preserving cognitive function with age. It sits in the same category as Bacopa monnieri and Gotu kola, two of the most studied nootropic plants in traditional medicine. The 1992 brain chemistry research gives a modern explanation for this ancient classification: increased dopamine activity supports the drive and focus systems of the brain, while the anxiety-reducing effects support clearer thinking under stress. The two findings together — more dopamine, less anxiety — map directly onto what millennia of users described without knowing the mechanism.

Double-Blind RCT Niranjan et al. · Int J Ayurveda Pharma Res · 2016

Shilajit on inflammation, blood vessel health, and cholesterol — 12 weeks

40 participants with blood vessel dysfunction · Double-blind, placebo-controlled · 250mg shilajit twice daily for 12 weeks · Measured blood vessel function, oxidative stress, and cholesterol

↑ Blood vessel flexibility improved significantly — vessels became better at relaxing and expanding, which supports healthy circulation and blood pressure
↑ Nitric oxide (which helps blood vessels relax), natural antioxidant levels, and HDL (good cholesterol) all increased
↓ Inflammation markers, oxidative damage, total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides all decreased significantly
↑ No one dropped out due to side effects — the supplement was very well tolerated across all 12 weeks
48-Week Double-Blind RCT Pingali & Nutalapati · Phytomedicine · 2022

Shilajit on bone density loss in postmenopausal women — nearly a year-long trial

60 postmenopausal women with early bone loss · Double-blind, placebo-controlled · Three groups: placebo, 250mg, or 500mg daily for 48 weeks · Bone density measured at the spine and hip using a DEXA scan

↑ In the placebo group, bone density continued to decline — as expected with aging. In both shilajit groups, that decline was significantly slowed, with higher doses showing stronger protection
↓ A marker for bone breakdown in the blood decreased — meaning the body was breaking down less bone tissue
↑ A marker for bone protection increased — shifting the body's internal balance toward preserving bone rather than losing it
↓ Inflammation and oxidative stress markers both improved significantly from week 12 onward

Swipe to explore →

Eight ways shilajit may support the body's natural defenses against inflammation

1
Direct free radical neutralization
Fulvic acid's chemical structure allows it to directly neutralize multiple types of harmful free radicals — the unstable molecules that drive cellular aging and inflammation
2
Activating your body's own defenses
Shilajit appears to switch on genetic pathways that tell your body to produce its own antioxidant enzymes — amplifying your natural protective systems rather than simply adding external antioxidants
3
Reducing inflammatory signals
Research suggests shilajit may inhibit key molecular switches that trigger inflammation, while supporting anti-inflammatory signals — potentially moderating the body's inflammatory response
4
Protecting mitochondria from waste buildup
DBPs work inside the cell's energy factories to reduce the production of harmful byproducts — cutting inflammation at its most fundamental source inside the cell
5
Supporting blood vessel health
Shilajit appears to support the production of nitric oxide — a molecule that helps blood vessels stay flexible and responsive, which is fundamental to cardiovascular health
6
Reducing fat oxidation damage
Oxidized fats in the bloodstream are a major driver of arterial damage and inflammation. Multiple studies have documented shilajit reducing this type of damage significantly
7
Shifting bone balance toward preservation
The body is constantly breaking down and rebuilding bone. Shilajit appears to tip this balance toward building — protecting bone density, as confirmed in the Pingali 2022 clinical trial
8
Delivering mineral cofactors
Many of the body's anti-inflammatory and bone-protective enzymes require specific minerals to function. Shilajit's minerals are pre-bonded to fulvic acid, making them significantly easier for the body to absorb and use

Swipe to explore →

Gold Standard — Double-Blind RCT Pandit et al. · Andrologia · 2016

Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy men aged 45–55

75 men completed the trial · Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled — the gold standard study design · Shilajit 250mg twice daily for 90 days · Hormone levels measured at 30, 60, and 90 days

↑ Total testosterone increased by 20% compared to both starting levels and the placebo group
↑ Free testosterone — the biologically active form your body can actually use — increased by 19%
↑ DHEA-S, a hormone that supports both testosterone and estrogen production, increased by 31%
↑ Importantly, the hormones that signal the body to make its own testosterone were preserved or increased — meaning shilajit appears to support the body's natural hormone-making process, not replace it
↓ In the placebo group, testosterone actually declined over the 90 days — reflecting the natural age-related trajectory that shilajit appeared to counteract
Human Study Biswas et al. · Andrologia · 2010

Shilajit on sperm health and testosterone in men with low sperm count

28 men with clinically low sperm counts · 100mg shilajit twice daily for 90 days · Measured sperm count, motility, shape, testosterone, and oxidative stress

↑ Total sperm count increased by 61% over 90 days
↑ Semen volume increased by 38% · Percentage of normally shaped sperm increased by 19%
↑ Testosterone increased by 24% with no disruption to the hormones that regulate the reproductive system
↓ Oxidative stress in semen — one of the leading causes of sperm damage — was significantly reduced

Swipe to explore →

Why the hormone findings matter — and what makes them different from testosterone replacement

When men take synthetic testosterone or anabolic steroids, the brain detects high testosterone levels and sends a signal to the body to stop making its own. Over time this causes the testes to shrink and fertility to decline. The Pandit 2016 study found the opposite pattern with shilajit — testosterone went up, but the signals telling the body to produce testosterone went up or stayed the same. This is the hormonal fingerprint of the body being supported to make more of its own testosterone naturally, not being replaced from outside. The DHEA increase adds another layer — DHEA is a precursor hormone that the body converts into both testosterone and estrogen depending on what is needed, and higher DHEA levels have been associated with healthier aging across multiple long-term studies.

Purity & Testing

A real problem in this industry. Here is what we do about it.

Shilajit forms in mineral-rich rock at high altitude over millions of years. That same geological environment that concentrates its beneficial compounds can also concentrate naturally occurring heavy metals — arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. Without proper independent testing, there is no way to know what you are actually putting in your body.

The uncomfortable truth is that most shilajit brands do not publish their test results. Some use testing methods that can be fooled by cheap synthetic additives designed to inflate fulvic acid readings. An independent review of commercial shilajit products found alarming inconsistencies across the market — products ranging from nearly pure to almost entirely without the active compounds they claimed to contain.

We test every batch — not just the best ones. Because shilajit is a natural mineral resin, the exact numbers will vary slightly from batch to batch. That is expected. What matters is that every batch meets our standards before it ships, and that you can verify that yourself.

What independent testing found in 2024

32,000%

That is the difference in active fulvic acid content between the weakest and strongest products tested across 8 commercial shilajit brands by ConsumerLab in 2024. Some products had almost none. Others appeared artificially inflated.

— At least one product showed far more fulvic acid than its label claimed — a sign of possible synthetic spiking rather than real potency
— The cost of getting the same amount of actual active compound varied by over 8,600% across products — meaning most buyers are severely overpaying for very little
— Confirmed adulterants found in market samples include charcoal, asphalt, soil, sugar, and synthetic compounds designed to mimic the real thing
— Standard lab tests can be fooled — authenticating real shilajit requires more advanced testing methods that most brands do not use

Batch ULSH2602022 — Independent Lab Report

Tested May 2026 · Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 international standard · Fully independent third-party lab

Batch: ULSH2602022 · 1,000 KG Manufactured: March 2026 · Expires: Jan 2029 Accreditation: ISO/IEC 17025 (NABL) Sample weight tested: 285g
◆
76.66%
Fulvic Acid
The minimum standard set by the Indian Pharmacopoeia is 40%. This batch came in at 76.66% — nearly double that threshold.
◆
7.83%
Humic Acid
The complementary compound to fulvic acid — works in the digestive tract to support gut health and slow-release activity.
◆
<10 cfu/g
Microbial Count
Bacteria and mould counts both came in below the detectable limit — meaning the product is microbiologically clean.
◆
BLQ
Pesticide Screen
Over 200 pesticides screened. Every single one came back below the detectable limit — none found.

Heavy metals — tested and verified safe

Arsenic (As)
0.60 mg/kg
Well within the internationally recognized safe daily limit at a standard serving size
✓ Pass
Lead (Pb)
0.56 mg/kg
Within the recognized safe daily limit at standard serving size
✓ Pass
Cadmium (Cd)
<0.02 mg/kg
Below the minimum detectable level — effectively none found
✓ Pass
Mercury (Hg)
<0.01 mg/kg
Below the minimum detectable level — effectively none found
✓ Pass

Every batch tested. Every report published.

Because shilajit is a natural mineral resin — not a factory-made product — the exact numbers shift slightly from batch to batch depending on seasonal and geological conditions. That is completely normal. It is also exactly why we test every single batch individually, rather than relying on a single report to represent all future production. The report below is for the batch currently shipping. When a new batch ships, a new report goes up.

↓ Download Lab Report How to read a COA →

What we actually test for — and why

✓
Fulvic & Humic Acid Content We use two separate testing methods — not just one. This matters because standard single-method testing can be fooled by synthetic additives designed to artificially inflate readings.
✓
Heavy Metals — 4 Elements Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury — the four metals naturally present in high-altitude mineral deposits — are tested against internationally recognized pharmaceutical-grade safety limits.
✓
Microbiology — Bacteria & Mould We test for harmful bacteria and mould to confirm the product is microbiologically clean and safe for consumption. Both came back below the detectable limit in the current batch.
✓
Pesticide Screen — 200+ Compounds A comprehensive scan covering more than 200 different pesticide types. Every one came back undetected — consistent with high-altitude sourcing far from agricultural land.
✓
Trace Mineral Quantification Key minerals including magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, and zinc are individually measured and reported for each batch — not estimated from prior results.
✓
Fully Independent Lab — ISO/IEC 17025 Our testing is carried out by an internationally accredited, ISO/IEC 17025 certified third-party laboratory with no financial relationship with Jivaka. They report what they find — not what we want them to find.

Common Questions

What people actually want to know.

Three things: sourcing altitude, form, and verified purity. Jivaka resin is sourced from above 16,000 feet in the Himalayas, delivered in the traditional resin format (not capsules or powder), and independently tested by Eurofins — an ISO/IEC 17025 NABL-accredited third-party laboratory — with the full report published. Our current batch tests at 76.66% fulvic acid, nearly double the Indian Pharmacopoeia minimum of 40%, and well above the typical 15–20% found in authentic raw resin. Every batch is individually tested because mineral concentrations naturally vary across geological harvests.
Shilajit is not a factory product — it is a naturally occurring mineral resin collected from specific rock faces at high altitude. The botanical input (the plants that decomposed over millennia to form the resin), the local geological mineral profile, seasonal temperature cycling, and the specific harvest area all affect the final composition. This is normal and expected for any authentic natural substance. It is the same reason no two batches of a wine vintage are chemically identical. What matters is that every batch exceeds minimum purity standards — which is why we publish individual batch reports rather than a single "representative" figure.
The classical Ayurvedic method — and the one best supported by the research — is a small amount (approximately 300–500 mg, about a rice-grain to pea-sized portion) dissolved in warm water or warm milk, taken on an empty stomach in the morning. Resin dissolves in warm liquid within 30–60 seconds. Onset of the fulvic acid compounds is rapid (T-max approximately 30–60 minutes); subjective effects typically emerge gradually over days to weeks rather than on the first dose. The clinical research showing the strongest findings runs 8–14 weeks — which aligns with Charaka's prescribed rasayana protocol of 40–90 days. Set a 90-day intention, not a one-week test.
The safety concern with shilajit is real — it is a rock-derived substance and naturally contains heavy metals. In our current batch: arsenic is 0.60 mg/kg, lead is 0.56 mg/kg, cadmium is below detection (<0.02 mg/kg), and mercury is below detection (<0.01 mg/kg). At a standard daily dose, these translate to exposures well within USP <2232> pharmaceutical-grade daily limits. The risk is with unverified products that do not test — ConsumerLab found arsenic hazard quotients exceeding permissible limits in 100% of Pakistani market shilajit samples. Published COAs from ISO-accredited laboratories are the non-negotiable safety standard. Ours is downloadable on this page. If you have kidney disease, are pregnant, or are on medications, consult your healthcare provider before use.
PrimaVie® is a standardized, purified shilajit extract manufactured by Natreon Inc., used in most of the high-quality clinical trials cited on this page. Jivaka is a purified resin — not a branded extract — but it delivers the same core compound classes: fulvic acid, dibenzo-α-pyrones, DBP-chromoproteins, humic acid, and ionic trace minerals. The difference is form: PrimaVie® is a standardized extract (often in capsules), while Jivaka is a traditional water-extracted, low-temperature concentrated resin — which retains the full-spectrum volatile and aromatic compounds that solvent-extraction protocols remove. Our fulvic acid content (76.66%) exceeds the PrimaVie® minimum specification of ≥50%.
Fulvic acid is classified in Ayurveda as yogavahi — a carrier that enhances the bioavailability of other compounds taken alongside it. This is supported mechanistically by fulvic acid's cation-exchange properties and membrane-transport activity. The best-studied combination is shilajit + CoQ10, where the two compounds produced synergistic ATP recovery in Bhattacharyya 2009's forced-swim model. Iron, magnesium, zinc, and B-vitamins may also have improved absorption. We do not recommend combining shilajit with iron supplements without medical guidance, as fulvic acid's iron-chelating efficiency can be significant. As always, consult a healthcare provider for specific supplement interactions.

Selected research citations

Bhattacharyya S et al. "Beneficial effect of processed shilajit on swimming exercise induced impaired energy status of mice." Pharmacologyonline 2009; 2:690–698.
Surapaneni DK et al. "Shilajit attenuates behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome by modulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and mitochondrial bioenergetics in rats." J Ethnopharmacol 2012; 143(1):91–99. PMID 22771318.
Pandit S, Biswas S, Jana U, et al. "Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers." Andrologia 2016; 48(5):570–575. PMID 26395129.
Biswas TK et al. "Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of the root extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in oligospermic males." Andrologia 2010; 42(1):48–56. PMID 20078516.
Das A, Datta S, Rhea B et al. "The Human Skeletal Muscle Transcriptome in Response to Oral Shilajit Supplementation." J Med Food 2016; 19(7):701–709. PMID 27414521.
Neltner TJ et al. "Effects of 8 Weeks of Shilajit Supplementation on Serum Pro-c1α1." J Diet Suppl 2024; 21(1). PMID 36546868.
Keller JL et al. "The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels." J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2019; 16(1):3. PMID 30728074.
Das A et al. "Skin Transcriptome of Middle-Aged Women Supplemented With Natural Herbo-mineral Shilajit Shows Induction of Microvascular and Extracellular Matrix Mechanisms." J Am Coll Nutr 2019; 38(6):526–536. PMID 31161927.
Carrasco-Gallardo C, Guzmán L, Maccioni RB. "Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity." Int J Alzheimers Dis 2012; 2012:674142. PMC3296184.
Cornejo A et al. "Fulvic Acid Inhibits Aggregation and Promotes Disassembly of Tau Fibrils Associated with Alzheimer's Disease." J Alzheimers Dis 2011; 27(1):143–153. PMID 21785188.
Jaiswal AK, Bhattacharya SK. "Effects of Shilajit on memory, anxiety and brain monoamines in rats." Indian J Pharmacol 1992; 24(1):12–17.
Pingali U, Nutalapati C. "Shilajit extract reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss to dose-dependently preserve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia." Phytomedicine 2022; 105:154334. PMID 35933897.
Niranjan K et al. "A Comparative Study of Purified Shilajit on 75-oHDL-C Levels." Int J Ayurveda Pharma Res 2016; 4(4).
Yadav D et al. "Safety and Efficacy of TruBlk™ Shilajit Resin Supplementation on Physical Performance." Cureus 2026; 18(1):e102372. PMID 41613504.
ConsumerLab.com. "ConsumerLab Tests Shilajit Supplements for Amounts of Fulvic Acid and Heavy Metals." September 2024.

All clinical studies cited use standardized, purified shilajit. Results may vary. The majority of high-quality trials were conducted on PrimaVie® (Natreon Inc.), a standardized extract. Jivaka resin contains the same compound classes but differs in form and processing method. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Begin the Protocol

The research says 90 days.
Start yours today.

Ancient earth. Decoded by science. Verified by an independent laboratory. Now it's yours.

Shop Jivaka Shilajit

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Jivaka Shilajit is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Clinical research cited on this page was conducted on standardized purified shilajit extracts, primarily PrimaVie® (Natreon Inc.). Jivaka delivers the same core compound classes (fulvic acid, dibenzo-α-pyrones, DBP-chromoproteins, humic acid, ionic trace minerals) in traditional resin form, independently verified by third-party laboratory analysis. Individual results may vary. Consult a healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking medications.