Shilajit

SHILAJIT (ASPHALTUM PUNJABIANUM)

Parts Used: Purified Exudate

Common Names: Shilajatu / Mineral Pitch / Asphaltum / Black Bitumen

Rasa (Taste): Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter), Lavana (Salty), Ksaya (Astringent)

Guna (Qualities): Ruksha (Dry), Guru (Heavy)

Veerya (Potency): Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka (Post Digestion Effect): Katu (Pungent)

Karma (Pharmacological Activity): Rasayana (Rejuvenative) for Kapha & Mutra, Vajikarana (Enhances Sexual Potency), Medhya (Enhances Intellect), Mutrakrcchraghna (Alleviates Painful Urination), Apasmaromadaghna (Alleviates Disorders of the Nervous System), Medohara (Reduces Fat Tissue), Sandhaniya Heals Broken Bones, Chedhana (Scratches Accumulated Toxins from Tissues and Channels), Tridosaghna (Alleviates all Three Doshas).

Bioactive Compounds: Triterpenes, Aromatic Carboxylic Acid, Humic Acid, Fulvic Acid, Dibenzo Alpha Pyrones, Phospholipids and Phenolic Acids, Iron, Calcium, Copper, Zinc, Magnessium, Manganese, Phosphorus

HABITAT

Shilajit is a mineral-rich organic compound that seeps through the high cliffs of the mountains of north-east India and other parts of Asia during summer. In India it is found in the Kumaon region, at altitudes of 1000-5000m from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Kashmir in the West. It is also known as asphalt or mineral pitch has colors of copper, gold, silver or black.

INTRODUCTION

Shilajit (asphaltum punjabianum) is a kind of mineral resin that exudates from the cracks of the rocks of the Himalayas; considered to be the “nectar of God” or “Ayurvedic panacea. Shilajit is a A highly mineralized exudate that oozes from the rocks of mountainous regions in Asia in the heat of summer, shilajit is a curious resin that resembles asphalt and smells distinctly like cow urine, loosely translated from Sanskrit as "conqueror of the mountains and destroyer of weakness". The first reference of Shilajit in classical texts is found in the Charak Samhita, where it mentions that, “metals like gold and others are present in the rocks which receive heat and secrete the exudate which is called Shilajit”. While Sushrut Samhita mentions that “in the months of Jyeshtha and Ashada the mountains (Himalayan)heat up and release a gum like substance called Shilajatu, which heals the body”

BENEFITS

Boosts Libido and Improves Fertility: Shilajit has strong aphrodisiac properties that not only helps in reducing mental stress and anxiety but also stimulates the production of testosterone that increases fertility and libido. It plays a key role in increasing virility and stamina in men.

Ayurvedic View: Shilajit acts as Balya (tonic) and has Rasayana (rejuvenating) properties. This helps in improving energy levels and libido.

Improves Strength & Stamina: Fatigue occurs when your body cells do not produce enough energy. Shilajit is used as a revitalizer to enhance physical performance and relieve fatigue. This is due to the presence of fulvic and humic acid which helps the mitochondria present in the cells to produce energy.

Ayurvedic View: Shilajit is useful in managing fatigue in the day-to-day life. Fatigue refers to a feeling of tiredness, weakness, or lack of energy. According to Ayurveda, fatigue is referred to as 'Klama' which is due to imbalance in the Kapha dosha. Shilajit helps to reduce fatigue due to its Balya (strength provider) and Rasayana (rejuvenating) properties. It also helps balance Kapha and thus reduce fatigue.

Improves Brain Functioning: Shilajit is a traditional remedy to increase the functioning of the brain. The presence of bioactive small molecules called dibenzo-alpha-pyrones prevents the breakdown of the brain chemicals needed for memory hence enhancing memory capacity, focus, concentration, calmness, alertness of an individual.

Ayurvedic View: Shilajit helps to reduce memory loss and a change in behaviour by balancing Vata dosha. It also has Rasayana (rejuvenating) property that reduces weakness of the nervous system and improves its functioning.

Slows Ageing Process: Shilajit is well known for its regenerative effects. Not only does it help in tissue repair and regeneration but also owing to the potent antioxidant activity, it protects against cellular damage, and hence reduces the ageing process in the tissues of the heart, lungs, liver, and skin. The presence of fulvic acid shields the body against free radical damage and the abundance of antioxidants maintains a balanced ratio of calcium in the bones making one stronger. Shilajit also bolsters the immune system and prevents infections.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

It contains fulvic acids as the main components along with free and conjugated dibenzo-α-pyrones (DBPs; Urolithins) and more than 40 minerals increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) availability via improved mitochondrial function to produce energy. Fulvic acid is reported to facilitate the transportation of essential minerals into cells to maintain and restore their electrical potency, preventing their decay and death. Shilajit is reported to aid in metabolism by maintaining the equilibrium between catabolism and anabolism, promote energy production, and enhance the absorptive and detoxifying capacity of the body. It also stimulates the immune system and blood formation within the body.

CLINICAL STUDIES & REFERENCES

Surapaneni DK, Adapa SR, Preeti K, Teja GR, Veeraragavan M, Krishnamurthy S. 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):91-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.002
S. Pandit et al., Clinical evaluation of puriﬁed Shilajit on testosteronelevels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia 2016, 48, 570–575. doi: 10.1111/and.12482.
Biswas TK, Pandit S, Mondal S, et al. Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia. Andrologia. 2010;42(1):48-56. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0272.2009. 00956.x
A. K. Jaiswal and S. K. Bhattacharya, “Effects of shilajit on memory, anxiety and brain monoamines in rats,” Indian Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 24, pp. 12–17, 1992.
Bhasin S, Storer TW, Berman N, Callegari C, Clevenger B, Phillips J, Bunnell TJ, Tricker R, Shirazi A, Casaburi R. The effects of supraphysiologic doses of testosterone on muscle size and strength in normal men. N Engl J Med. 1996;335(1):1–7.