What is Shilajit? A Friendly Guide to it's origins

Shilajit is a unique and potent natural substance often found seeping from crags in mountainous regions globally. It comes into existence through a slow natural process where plant matter breaks down and ferments over centuries. Rich in a complex blend of over 85 minerals, such as fulvic and humic acids, its composition is remarkably diverse, comprising not just these trace elements but also a variety of plant alkaloids, amino acids, and other natural compounds like lipids, resins, and waxes.

We understand the growing interest in shilajit due to its array of purported health advantages. It has been traditionally praised for boosting energy, slowing the aging process, and improving fertility. Its constituents are known to bolster the immune system, enhance cognitive function, and may offer benefits in managing conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and various forms of inflammation. Moreover, shilajit's nutritional profile, including B vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids, contributes to its potential effect on overall health, from iron deficiency anemia to maintaining heart and bone health.

Genesis of Shilajit

Etymology and Historical Usage

We recognise the term 'Shilajit' as having its roots in Sanskrit, signifying the 'eradicator of debility' and 'victor over terrains'. This venerable substance boasts over five millennia of utilisation in India and is heralded as originating from the lofty regions of the Himalayas and the Siberian Altai Mountains. Classical Hindu and Vedic scriptures, including the Haraka Samhita and Sushrut Samhita, attest to its pivotal role in Ayurvedic practices. Shilajit was amalgamated with other botanicals to alleviate a multitude of ailments. It was valued not only for its restorative properties on the body but also for its serene nootropic effects, enhancing mental tranquillity and physical endurance.

Esteem Amongst Royalty

Nobility, including monarchs and sovereigns of yore, esteemed Shilajit for its rarity and potent qualities, thus making it a privilege of the affluent. Its value, comparable to gold, cemented its stature as a coveted trade item. The treasure journeyed from the East to Western civilisations, receiving acknowledgments in an array of cultural manuscripts – amongst Russian, Turkish, Sumerian, Egyptian, Persian and Arabic literature. The Greek thinker Aristotle recognised Shilajit at around 2,500 years past, and accounts suggest even Alexander the Great utilised it in his military campaigns.

Discovery in the Himalayas

The discovery of Shilajit benefits aligns with observations made in the Himalayas, where indigenous peoples took note of the remarkable youthfulness and vigour of local monkeys in their advanced age. These animals were observed consuming a dark exudate from the mountain crevices. Monkeys exhibiting this behaviour appeared unusually spry and robust, leading the inhabitants to connect their well-being to Shilajit. This correlation marked the beginning of recorded human use, as communities sought to harness the same rejuvenating effects witnessed in the primate populations.