It is an
important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments.
The botanical name for Shilajit is Asphaltum punjabiunum. It contains 84
minerals including zinc, iron, copper, silver, and lead. It also contains
fulvic acid, humus, and organic plant materials. The use of this herb is used
to improve male fertility.
English – Mineral pitch
Local name: Shargai, dorobi
Farsi – Mumlai
Russian – Mumiyo
Persian – Mumiya
Malayalam – Kanmada
Tamil – Perangyum
Hindi – Ral-yahudi
Marathi – Silajita
Bengali – Silajatu
Shilajit is commonly found in the
Himalayas from East, Arunachal Pradesh to West Kashmir in India. It is also found
in Afghanistan, Tsao-Shing, Australia, Mongolia, China, Bhutan, Nepal,
Pakistan, Pakistan, and Tibet.
It is a sticky paste that is brown to
blackish and which is found up to an altitude of 1000-5000 m embedded in the
rock.
Part used: Resin
Taste: Bitter(whole)
Potency: Cold
On chemical compound analysis
of Shilajit, it includes
60-80% of
organic matter, 20-40% of mineral, and 5% trace elements
Benzoic acid,
hippuric acid, fatty acids, resin, and waxy materials, gums, albumin acids, and
vegetable matter with benzoic acid
Ichthyol,
ellagic acid, resin, triterpenes, sterol, aromatic carboxylic acid,
3,4-benzocoumarins, amino acids, and phenolic lipids
Silica, iron,
antimony, calcium, copper, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, sodium,
and zinc
Action:
Cholinomimetic,
Antioxidant,
Antidyslipidemic,
Antiaging,
Antihyperglycemic,
Diuretic
Adaptogenic,
Antibacterial,
Antiulcerogenic,
Antiarthritic,
Immunomodulatory,
Ovogenic, Spermatogenic, Aphrodisiac
Cardioprotective, And
Energetic Properties.
It is commonly used by teens to get rid of
acne due to its anti-microbial and blood purifier effect
It helps to remove the excess fat from the
body and regulate obesity
It protects the heart from damage and it
also maintains blood pressure
It does not have an antiseptic, antiparasitic,
and anodyne effect
It treats paralysis by strengthening the
nervous system
Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, it
helps to reduce the edema that is induced chemically
It also lowers cholesterol level
In Russia, it is used to treat genitourinary
disease, diabetes, angina, jaundice, digestive disorders, nervous disease, chronic bronchitis, asthma, anemia,
amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia, eczema, anorexia, bone fracture, and
osteoporosis
In Indian traditional medicine, it acts as
a tonic, laxative, expectorant, diuretic, anti-bilious, and anti-hypertensive,
antiseptic, analgesic, and germicide
The shilajit has been given along with
milk to treat diabetes
To treat fractures it is given along with
frankincense
By adding shilajit with water or honey or
milk it is used to treat a cough caused by an allergy
To treat fracture shilajit is boiled in
ghee
The
dose of the drug used according to the physician
Powder:
3-6g
Kindly
avoid taking iron supplements along with shilajit because this herb itself
contains iron so the combination of this drug may lead to the excess iron
content in the body
In
rare conditions, the use of shilajit may reduce the blood pressure
The use of this herb may lower blood sugar. So,
monitoring of blood sugar levels is required in patients who are taking the
anti-diabetic drug
Before
initiating the treatment with shilajit consult with the doctor if you are
suffering from an immunological disorder like multiple sclerosis, systemic
lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis because the use of this herb may
increase the effect of the immune system
The use of this herb may interfere with uric
acid levels. So, monitoring of uric acid levels is required in patients who are
taking the uric acid-lowering drugs.
It
is considered unsafe to use this herb while you are pregnant and breastfeeding
It
is contraindicated to use shilajit if you have developed any allergic symptoms
like nausea, dizziness, irregular heart rate, itching
It
is contraindicated to use this herb if you have the febrile disease, doing diet
and physical exercise
Fatigue:
Traditional
view: According to Ayurveda, fatigue is called Klama which occurs due to the
imbalance of Kapha doshas. The use of shilajit helps to reduce fatigue by
balancing Kapha and also by its Balya and Rasayana (rejuvenating) effect.
Take
the required amount of shilajit capsule along with lukewarm milk after your
meals.
Modern
view: Due to the presence of fulvic and humic acid in shilajit helps the
mitochondria in the cells to produce energy and is also used as a revitalizing
and increase physical performance and reduce fatigue
Alzheimer’s diseases:
Traditional
view: According to Ayurveda, the nervous system is controlled by Vata doshas.
If there is an imbalance in Vata may lead to nervous disorders. The use of
shilajit helps to reduce the symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease by
balancing Vata and by its rejuvenating effect
Take
the required amount of shilajit powder and mix it with honey or lukewarm milk.
Consume this after your meals
Modern
view: In Alzheimer's patients there is an increase in the protein called
amyloid-beta which leads to the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain. The
presence of fulvic acid in shilajit helps to decrease the amyloid plaque
formation in the brain.
Asthma:
According to the Ayurveda,
asthma occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas in the lungs which
results in obstruction in the passages in the respiratory. The use of shilajit
treats asthma by balancing the imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas this helps to
reduce the blockage in the respiratory passage by removing the excess mucus in
the lungs.
Take
the required amount of shilajit powder and mix it with honey or lukewarm milk.
Consume this after your meals
Cancer:
Traditional
view: According to Ayurveda, Cancer is an inflammatory or non-inflammatory swelling
which is either called minor (Granthi) or major (Arbuda) neoplasms
Cancer
occurs if all the tridosha gets out of control (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) which
leads to tissue damage. The use of shilajit helps to prevent tissue damage by
its Balya and Rasayana properties
Modern
view: During chemotherapy, it damages the normal cell which is around the tumor
cells. Due to the presence of Fulvic and Humic acid helps to eradicate the free
radicals by its antioxidant effect
Hypoxia:
The
use of shilajit can increase the iron absorption and it also improves the blood
oxygen-carrying capacity
Take
the required amount of shilajit capsule with lukewarm milk. Consume this after
your meals
Increase
fertility:
The
use of Shilajit gold contain dibenzo-alpha-pyrene which helps to increase the
sperm count and also increase the motility of sperm and testosterone in male
The five different types of Shilajit,
confirming Shilajit as an essential, intrinsic part of the realm and
materiamedica of the Heavenly Abode of the Medicine Buddha.
The exact translations and description of
each of the five types of Shilajit after translation from the Blue Beryl
are:
Gold shilajit (Tibetan: gserzhun) described
as being a reddish-yellow color with, sweet-bitter taste. Cooling and oily
potency, it cures conditions of air and bile.
Silver shilajit (Tibetan:
dngulzhun) of white color, bitter-sweet taste. Cooling and dry potency
cure serum disorders such as leprosy.
Copper shilajit (Tibetan:
zangszhun) of reddish-green color like a peacock’s neck. Bitter and salty
taste, and with a potency which is cool and light, it cures disorders of phlegm
and bile.
Iron shilajit (Tibetan:
lcagszhun) of black color. Bitter and slightly salty taste, and with hot
and sharp potency, it cures disorders of phlegm.
Dark Lead shilajit (Tibetan: tshonmosteng) has
the same taste and potency as iron bitumen but is less effective.
Other than these 2 types have been
mentioned in Siddha materiamedica:
1. Karpoora silasathu (smells like
camphor)
2. Gomutrasilasathu (smells like urine)
The main
significant and marvelous feature of shilajit is that it does not expire even
after 40 years.
Also works
externally in diseases like uterine prolapse, and erectile dysfunction.
Based on the
adjuvant the feature and the specification tend to change.
For example:
·
Does anti- vadhaeffects, when
ingested with cow’s ghee.
·
Whereas cures uterine
related problems when given along with basil leaves decoction (vetrilaikudineer
TEA:
Add
water in a pan and allow to boil it and then add the required amount of
teaspoon of tea and wait for 5 minutes. Filter the tea and mix shilajit powder.
Now the Shilajit tea is ready to drink
Shilajit powder:
Take
the required amount of shilajit powder and mix it with honey or lukewarm milk.
Consume this after your meals
Burning sensation in the feet,
Excessive heat throughout the body,
Increase in urination
Itchiness
Hives
Dizziness
How much time does
Shilajit take to show improvement?
1 month and the same day has been reported as the most
common time which Shilajit takes to show improvement in the condition of the
patient. This may CHANGE ACCORDING TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR BODILY
CHANGES.
Can I consume
Shilajit empty stomach, or should it be consumed before or after a meal?
Commonly, It is consumed after food. It can be consumed on
an empty stomach or before food if there is any doctor's advice for specific
diseases.
When I feel
allergic, can I stop shilajit immediately?
Some of the medicines have a rebound effect when
stopped immediately. It depends on every individual so kindly get doctors’
advice before stopping.
Is Shilajit good for
diabetes?
Yes, it has been observed that Shilajit significantly lowers
blood glucose levels.
Can shilajit be used
for reproductive health care?
Yes, shilajit has been found to increase testosterone levels
in males and also increase libido.
For what diseases
shilajit is usually prescribed?
Shilajit is traditional Indian medicine and may be taken to fight the symptoms of various conditions such as -
