What is Shilajit?

Shilajit is a naturally occurring mineral substance that is found in the Himalaya and Hindukush ranges of the Indian subcontinent. It is a rare resin which is made by thousands of years of decomposition of plants and plant materials. This trapped plant material then comes out from the rocks in the form of a brownish to black sticky gum-like substance. The Indian traditional system of medicine has been using shilajit for thousands of years for its health building properties. Mentions of shilajit are found in Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, wherein it is called  “stones of metal like gold” and as a gelatinous substance. In Ayurveda, shilajit is named as “rasayana” or tonic referring to the benefits of shilajit in promoting the overall body health. In fact, the name shilajit aptly translates to “conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness”. Unfortunately, the modern science still needs to explore this natural wonder

Some basic facts about shilajit:

• Latin name:  Asphaltum punjabianum
• Common name: Asphalt, mineral pitch, mineral wax, Shilajit
• Sanskrit name: Shilajit, Silajita
• Geographical distribution: Shilajit is most commonly found in the Himalayas. Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir are the most common places to look for shilajit. It is also found in China, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet, and Afghanistan.

Did you know?

According to ayurvedic doctors, the smell of shilajit is said to be like that of cow’s urine. Folklore claims, that if it's consumed in the unadulterated form it's highly beneficial for both men and women.

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