Shilajit: A review

Shilajit, also known as salajit, shilajatu, mumie or mummiyo is a pale-brown to blackish-brown exudation, of variable consistency, from layers of rocks in many mountain ranges of the world, especially the Himalayan ranges of the Indian subcontinent (Kong et al., 1987; Srivastava et al., 1988) (Fig.). It is also found in Russia, Tibet, Norway and other countries,
where it is collected in small quantities from steep rock faces at altitudes between 1000 and 5000 m. Shilajit samples from different region of the world, however, vary in their physiological properties.

Shilajit, an ancient traditional medicine has been ascribed a number of pharmacological activities and has been used for ages as a rejuvenator and for treating a number of disease conditions (Acharya et al., 1988). Modern scientific research has  mystematically validated a number of properties of shilajit and has proven that shilajit is truly a panacea in Oriental medicine (Chopra et al., 1958; Ghosal, 1993). Since there are a number of such remedies described in our ancient texts, it is imperative that research is carried out in order to validate their claims and uses.

Traditional medicine is an integral part of the health care system in a number of developing countries including India. There are a number of natural remedies, which have been in use for ages in Asian countries but unfortunately lack systematic scientific evaluation and documentation. The world today is looking at these remedies for a number of ailments. However, these remedies can only find a place for themselves in the mainstream medicine if their claims are evaluated scientifically and documented systematically.

Shilajit is one such remedy, which has been in use as a folk medicine for over 3000 years as a rejuvenator and adaptogen (Sharma, 1978). It has been used by Vaidyas and Hakims for ages and has a unique place in the ancient texts. It has been said that there is hardly
any curable disease that cannot be controlled or cured with the aid of shilajit. Although this is a tall order, scientific studies over the past 20–25 years have shown that it is indeed a panacea in traditional medicine, effective in a number of ailments. This is a brief review of the ancient claims for this panacea and the modern scientific findings that have validated these claims.

Shilajit mainly consists of paleohumus (around 80– 85%) and organic compounds derived from vegetation fossils that have been compressed under layers of rocks for hundreds of years and have undergone a high amount of metamorphosis due to the high temperature and pressure conditions prevalent there (Ghosal et al., 1991a; Ghosal et al., 1997; Ghosal et al., 1993b).

During warm summer months, shilajit become less viscous and flows out between the layers of rocks.

Learn more about shilajit, visit www.shilajit.info