If you’re au-fait with the supplement market, you’ve probably heard of shilajit, a transformative substance that’s making waves in the health industry. Formed across millennia, shilajit was a major part of ancient medicine and contains a remarkable volume of minerals. Moreover, there’s growing research that outlines its potential health benefits.
Below, you’ll learn all about shilajit, its origin, how it’s formed, and why people use it.
What Is Shilajit?
Shilajit is a thick resin that resembles tar in appearance and texture. Primarily found in the Himalayas and Altai mountain ranges, shilajit is rich in minerals and is used for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- Boosting natural energy levels
- Improving digestion
- Promoting mental clarity
- Supporting joint health
- Anti-aging
In its raw form, shilajit resembles a dark brown, almost black, resin. Depending on where it is found, the substance can have a slightly darker or lighter color and may even have tinges of red or amber.
Choosing a reputable source ensures you’re receiving authentic shilajit, a substance with a remarkable legacy spanning hundreds of millions of years. It’s made from organic carbon and was formed via natural processes over thousands of years. One could say that shilajit is a very extreme example of good things coming to those who wait.
Like other humic substances found in soil, shilajit typically consists of between 60% and 80% humus. This organic material itself contains humins, humic acid, and fulvic acid and is an important factor in soil structure and fertility.
Those who sell shilajit products tend to focus on its high fulvic acid content. That’s because this potent antioxidant could help boost cognitive health by halting tau protein accumulation. Tau protein buildup can lead to brain cell damage.
However, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this substance’s benefits. For example, shilajit contains dozens of trace elements, including gold, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, and zinc. While ongoing research continues to unlock shilajit’s full potential, its enduring use for thousands of years speaks volumes about its value and supports many of the anecdotal benefits reported.
Now, let’s learn a little more about the history of shilajit.
The Origins of Shilajit
These days, products such as Premium Jane’s shilajit gummies offer a convenient and tasty way to enjoy this unique compound. However, despite only becoming popular in the supplement world relatively recently, shilajit has actually been used for thousands of years.
It was a staple of traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India and Nepal and is linked to inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There are sources suggesting that humans have used it for over 5,000 years.
Shilajit can be found in the crevices and caves of high mountain slopes in China, India, Central Asia, and a few other locations. However, the consensus is that the highest-quality shilajit is located in the Altai and Himalayan mountains. For reference, both ranges were potentially formed between 300 and 500 million years ago.
Ancient Sanskrit texts, such as the Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita, outline how to prepare the compound. The texts include details on the right herbs to use when mixing it and what conditions shilajit is best used to help with. According to some texts, shilajit comes from Shiva, the Hindu god who creates, protects and transforms the universe.
Shilajit’s Journey to the West
The Han Dynasty opened trade with the West in approximately 130 BC. The so-called “Silk Road” remained open until the Ottoman Empire boycotted trade with China in 1453. The opening of this trade route ensured that shilajit was brought to Europe and quickly became a popular substance amongst wealthy individuals.
While shilajit was known in some circles, British explorer Sir Martin Edward Stanley played a key role in introducing it in the West in 1870. Though sources claim that the substance had been used in Europe for many centuries, Stanley popularized shilajit after gaining an understanding of its benefits. He saw that monkeys that resided in the Himalayas were significantly more agile than the monkeys in Europe in their old age. Stanley learned that the Himalayan monkeys were consuming shilajit and linked it to their agility and vitality.
Scientists began to study the substance, but it is only really in the last few years that shilajit has gained mainstream appeal.
From the Himalayas to Everyone: How Shilajit Products Are Made
Shilajit undergoes a meticulous collection, purification, and drying process before reaching consumers, ensuring a pure and potent product with minimal additional processing.
Sourcing shilajit begins with a meticulous hand-harvesting process. Due to its location at high altitudes, skilled local workers are entrusted with this important task, ensuring the careful collection of this precious substance each year.
Following harvest, shilajit undergoes a thorough purification process to remove any naturally occurring impurities. This involves a series of steps, including water extraction, filtration, centrifugation, and evaporation, resulting in a refined shilajit product rich in organic components.
Purifying & Drying
Shilajit’s water solubility is leveraged in a carefully controlled extraction process. The raw shilajit is immersed in a water solution maintained at a precise temperature range of 145 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 hours. To ensure optimal separation, the solution is meticulously stirred for 15 minutes every two hours. This meticulous approach results in a clear distinction between the purified shilajit and any remaining impurities, allowing for the efficient removal of unwanted materials.
Following extraction, the shilajit solution undergoes a time-honored filtration process, passed through a series of progressively finer mesh sieves to remove any remaining impurities, such as sand or debris. While modern techniques have enhanced efficiency, the fundamental steps in this purification process remain true to tradition, ensuring the authenticity and quality of the final product.
The final stage of shilajit production involves precise drying to eliminate any remaining moisture. This crucial step can be accomplished using advanced vacuum-evaporator technology for a concentrated liquid extract, or through traditional methods, resulting in shilajit in various forms like powder, solid, or resin, each tailored to specific needs. Companies like Premium Jane can also add shilajit to products such as gummies to provide a tastier version of the substance.
Shilajit: The Sensational Substance You Simply Have to Try
From its formation millions of years ago to its modern-day delivery to your doorstep, shilajit’s journey is as captivating as its potential benefits. With a growing number of people experiencing increased energy, a more youthful feeling, and overall well-being, shilajit’s popularity is on the rise.
Today, anyone can discover the rich tapestry of shilajit offerings, spanning raw resins, potent extracts, and even enjoyable gummies. Experience firsthand how this time-honored substance can effortlessly enhance your modern wellness routine.