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Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity

Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity

Introduction

Shilajit (purified) is an Ayurvedic drug used in the indigenous system of Indian medicine.Shilajit has been known and used for centuries in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is a blackish-brown powder or exudate obtained from high mountain rocks in the Himalayan mountains between India and Nepal. It is also found in Afghanistan, Tibet, Russia, and north Chile. In north India, it is known as shilajatu, salajit, mummiyo or mimie.

Shilajit is an important drug listed in the Ayurvedic Materia medica and is extensively used by Ayurvedic physicians for managing a range of diseases. Shilajit is regarded to potentially carry the healing powers of great mountains. It is composed of rock minerals, rock humus, and organic substances that have been compressed by layers of rock.

 

Chemical Components of Shilajit

Shilajit is composed of humins, humic acid and fulvic acid. Fulvic acid is the major component that accounts for 60 to 80% of its nutraceutical components. Other components present in Shilajit are fatty acids, resins, albumins, polyphenols, phenolic lipids, triterpenes, sterols, aromatic carboxylic acids, coumarins, latex, gums and amino acids.2

Shilajit also contains more than 84 minerals, including silver, copper, zinc and iron.3

Properties of Shilajit

The properties of Shilajit are as follows:

  • It may have anti-inflammatory activity
  • It may have antioxidant properties
  • It may have memory-enhancing properties
  • It may have anti-Alzheimer properties
  • It may have a blood sugar-lowering effect
  • It may have anti-asthmatic properties
  • It may have anti-tumour activity
  • It may help in seizure
  • It may benefit heart, kidney and liver health
  • It may have digestive properties.1,2,4

Potential Uses of Shilajit

Potential uses of Shilajit for anaemia

Anaemia is characterised by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or the standard quantity of haemoglobin in the blood. Iron deficiency anaemia is a common type of anaemia. Shilajit contains iron. When taken as a dietary supplement, it was observed that Shilajit increased the haemoglobin level in an animal study. Taking Shilajit as a dietary supplement might be beneficial in the management of iron deficiency anaemia.4 However, this information is insufficient as this study is conducted on animals. Therefore, a large-scale human study is required to suggest the potential uses of Shilajit to overcome the iron deficiency in humans.

Potential uses of Shilajit for muscle fatigue

Shilajit supplementation might be beneficial in boosting exercise performance by enhancing fatigue-related metabolic characteristics and increasing muscle mass and strength. In a clinical study, supplementation with Shilajit had favourable effects on the retention of muscular strength after a exhausting task.5 However, further studies are required to suggest the benefits of Shilajit for muscle fatigue.

Potential uses of Shilajit for the heart  

Various experimental studies have shown the beneficial effects of Shilajit on lipid profile. Shilajit showed prominent  practical action against injuries to the heart muscles in an animal model. It lessened the harmful effects on heart tissue in rats.6 However, this study is done on animals and not humans. Therefore, more human trials are required to find the true scope of Shilajit in humans.

Potential uses of Shilajit for people living at high altitude

The common problems associated with people who ascend to high altitudes from places of low altitudes are high altitude pulmonary oedema (fluid retention in lungs), acute mountain sickness, high altitude cerebral oedema (swelling of the brain), lack of appetite, hypoxia (lack of enough oxygen in the tissues), insomnia, lethargy, stomach upset, physical and mental depression.

Shilajit contains fulvic acid. The fulvic acid may help stimulate  energy production, blood formation and avert hypoxia. It  may also help transport nutrients to tissues and helps overcome lethargy, tiredness, and chronic fatigue. Shilajit might be used as a supplement by people travelling to high altitudes.3 However, before using Shilajit while travelling, please consult it with your doctors and never use it to self-medicate yourself.

Potential uses of Shilajit for gastric ulcers

A peptic ulcer is a gastric (stomach) lesion that is developed when the gastric lining is exposed to aggressive agents. Oxidative stress and free radical damage are factors responsible for gastrointestinal disorders. Shilajit may have anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. Therefore, Shilajit might be  a beneficial solution for stomach ulcers as a human gastroprotective (stomach protective) agent.7 However, this information is insufficient; therefore, further research on humans is necessary to develop the true extent of the potential uses of Shilajit in humans.

Potential uses of Shilajit for Alzheimer’s disease

Fulvic acid found in Shilajit may have  memory-enhancing properties. Fulvic acid also helps the self-aggregation of tau protein into a filament (a factor involved in the development of Alzheimer’s). Shilajit may also have  the potential to be developed as a dietary supplement to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.2 However, this data is insufficient and we require more human trials to suggest the benefits of Shilajit for brain health.

Though there are studies that show the benefits of Shilajit in various health conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for more studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of Shilajit on human health.

How to Use Shilajit?

  • Shilajit powder may be taken with milk.3
  • Shilajit is marketed in capsule form for human consumption.3

Your Ayurvedic physician will prescribe you the form and dose as per your requirement. In addition, we advise you not to replace or discontinue your ongoing medications with any ayurvedic or herbal preparations made from Shilajit without consulting a qualified physician.

Side Effects of Shilajit

  • Consumption of impure Shilajit may lead to intoxication due to heavy metals like lead, arsenic and mercury, mycotoxin, oxidant agents, and free radicals.2
  • Consumption of Ayurvedic products containing Shilajit has been associated with lead poisoning in some cases.2

However, if you experience any side effects after having Shilajit, immediately rush to the hospital and get appropriate treatment to overcome your side effects.

Precautions to Take With Shilajit

  • Impure Shilajit may contain heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic. A purified, ready to use preparation of Shilajit is fit for human consumption.
  • Shilajit should not be used with pigeon meat, horse gram (Kulthi) and black nightshade (Solanum nigrum).
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the use of Shilajit due to the lack of sufficient data related to its safe use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Avoid giving it to small children and older adults due to no information about its safety.

Interactions of Shilajit With Other Drugs

There is no scientific report suggesting the interactions of Shilajit with other drugs. However, people should not assume that there are no interactions at all.

Therefore, it is better to follow the advice of your Ayurvedic doctor. They will prescribe you the best way to have it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shilajit?

Shilajit is a blackish-brown powder or exudate obtained from mountains like the Himalayas and has been used as Ayurvedic medicine.

What is Shilajit used for?

Shilajit has been used as an ingredient for many Ayurvedic formulations. Shilajit may also be used as a nutritional supplement.

How to take Shilajit?

Shilajit powder may be taken with milk. Products containing Shilajit are also available in the market, for example, Shilajit capsules. However, consult an Ayurvedic doctor before using Shilajit; they will tell you the dosage and form per your health requirements.

Is Shilajit good for health?

Shilajit may have several beneficial properties likeanti-inflammatory, antioxidant, memory enhancing, and anti-asthmatic and it might also boost heart and liver health.2,4 Thus, Shilajit may be a good Ayurvedic supplement for health. However, you should take advice from your doctors and only use it if recommended.

How to identify the original Shilajit?

As per the classical texts, an acceptable form of Shilajit should burn without smoke and puff upon being subjected to fire. Upon being added to water, it should not dissolve entirely but leave a trail as it disintegrates and travels from the surface of the water to the bottom of the container.8 It may be difficult to identify the original Shilajit; therefore, it is best to consult an Ayurvedic physician. They will tell you how to use it and which is the best Shilajit product for your health.

What is Shilajit made of?

It is composed of rock minerals, rock humus, and organic substances that have been compressed by layers of rock. Shilajit is composed of humins, humic acid and fulvic acid. Fulvic acid is the primary component that accounts for 60 to 80% of its nutraceutical components.

 

References

1. Pandit S, Biswas S, Jana U, De RK, Mukhopadhyay SC, Biswas TK. Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia [Internet]. 2016 Jun 1 [cited 2022 Mar 23];48(5):570–5. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26395129/

2. Carrasco-Gallardo C, Guzmán L, MacCioni RB. Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity. International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2022 Mar 23];2012. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22482077/

3. Meena H, Pandey HK, Arya MC, Ahmed Z. Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems. International Journal of Ayurveda Research [Internet]. 2010 [cited 2022 Mar 23];1(1):37. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20532096/

4. Shilajit in management of iron deficiency anaemia [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 23]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288266508_Shilajit_in_management_of_iron_deficiency_anaemia

5. Keller JL, Housh TJ, Hill EC, Smith CM, Schmidt RJ, Johnson GO. The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition [Internet]. 2019 Feb 6 [cited 2022 Mar 23];16(1). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30728074/

6. Joukar S, Najafipour H, Dabiri S, Sheibani M, Sharokhi N. Cardioprotective Effect of Mumie (Shilajit) on Experimentally Induced Myocardial Injury. Cardiovascular Toxicology 2014 14:3 [Internet]. 2014 Jan 22 [cited 2022 Mar 23];14(3):214–21. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12012-014-9245-3

7. Ghasemkhani N, Tabrizi AS, Namazi F, Nazifi S. Treatment effects of Shilajit on aspirin”induced gastric lesions in rats. Physiological Reports [Internet]. 2021 Apr 1 [cited 2022 Mar 23];9(7). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33818003/

8. Shilajit an unique drug of ayurveda [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 23]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276831443_SHILAJIT_AN_UNIQUE_DRUG_OF_AYURVEDA

 

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