Shilajit is all the rage now on Twitter, yet I remember experimenting with it just a few years ago. It’s one of my favorite staple supplements due to its wide range of benefits.
There’s actually no alternative scientific word or western translation for the word ‘Shilajit.’ But some people refer to it as the “Conqueror of Weakness” for good reason.
How Shilajit Came To Be
Shilajit is a mineral resin which can only be extracted from the highest altitudes on the planet. A famous example is the Himalayan mountains. Kashmir, Bhutan, Japan and Gilgit are other examples.
It’s a sticky tar-like resinous substance that is neither completely plant nor of animal origin produced by the decomposition of plant material from species such as Euphorbia royleana and Trifolium repens.
Several million years ago, when the Indian subcontinent collided into the Asian continent, the Himalayan mountains were formed crushing and trapping the tropical forests in between the huge boulders.
When these components got pressed between massive layers of rocks for millions of years, they were converted into a tar-like gummy substance that may be black, brown or white in colour, and look like asphalt.
Whenever there’s a crack in the rock due to excessive heat, the material oozes out of it and settles itself onto the rocks. The exuded herbo-mineral, known as Shilajit is rich in minerals and nutrients and has an abundance of bio-active humic and fulvic acid.
Traditional Uses
Shilajit is an important, known component of the ayurvedic medicine given its characteristics as a rasayana. In this context, health benefits such as an increase in longevity, rejuvenating, and slowing the aging process are strong.
Traditionally, shilajit is consumed by people from Nepal and the North of India, and children usually take it with milk in their breakfast. The Sherpas claim to have shilajit as part of their diet; they’re a population of strong men with a high quality of life.
Benefits of Shilajit
There are an incredible number of benefits Shilajit provides.
It contains 84+ minerals that promote healthy DNA and bodily functions, but we’ll go through a few of the most impressive benefits below.
Provides Energy & Revitalizes The Body
One way shilajit helps provide the body with energy is the way it increases the function of mitochondria within the body.
Shilajit encourages your mitochondria to oxygenate more efficiently.
It’s commonly used to enhance athletic performance which I’ve experienced firsthand. I felt like I had a second pair of lungs on this stuff (similar feeling to cordyceps).
Shilajit also improved chronic fatigue symptoms.
Protects Brain Health
Shilajit seems to have a protective mechanism with brain cells.
It has a positive effect on three of the most indicative factors of death following traumatic brain injury: brain edema, blood-brain barrier permeability and intracranial pressure.
In addition, shilajit exhibits anti-epileptic properties and potentially antipsychotic effects, as it adjusts GABA levels (a naturally occurring acid in the brain) to normal.
Helps Prevent & Protect Against Cancer
Shilajit has been found to be toxic to various of types of cancers, including lung, breast, colon, ovarian and liver cancer.
Other benefits include:
Fighting chronic inflammation
Reducing sensitivity to pain
Creating an antioxidant effect on the heart
Supports skeletal health
Regulates hormones and the immune system
This mineral resin is an absolute powerhouse.
Who do I trust for sourcing?
Cymbiotika.
If you’ve followed my work over the past few years, you’ll know I support that company into the grave because of their guiding morals, principles, and holistic approach to nutraceutical supplementation.
Mineral resin is genuinely the only form of shilajit I trust because it’s as raw as possible. I haven’t used any pills or powders and am inherently distrustful of those form (although I could be wrong).
You also want to make sure the company you’re buying it from goes through an extensive testing process to avoid heavy metal exposure and what not.
Outside of that, Shilajit is a powerful tool in your health toolbelt.
It does a fantastic job of mineralizing the body which helps fight chronic disease since mineral deficiency is the root of such malady.
P.S.
Much love,
Zaid
I'm a woman following your work lately; could a woman benefit from shilajit? Or is it for men only; I think I've seen info on it's testosterone boosting power.