General Description

Shilajit is the most potent medicine that Ayurveda has ever discovered. It is a mineral-based medication which is found oozing from the rocky cliffs. The main source of Shilajit in India is the Himalaya, where the Shilajit is found oozing out from the cracks of rocks in the form of a red to dark brown gummy substance. Apart from India, Shilajit is also found in the mountainous areas of Nepal, Pakistan, China, Tibet and even as far as in Norway. However the Shilajit found in all these areas have different potencies, because of the differences in the rocks present in these areas.

Charaka in the Charaka Samhita mentioned that the four main constituents of the Shilajit are gold, silver, copper and iron. According to the predominant composition of the elements, he classified Shilajit as Swarna Shilajit (containing maximum gold), Rajat Shilajit (containing maximum silver), Tamra Shilajit (containing maximum copper) and Lauha Shilajit (containing maximum iron). Lauha Shilajit is black in color.

It is also the most powerful and the most readily available of all forms of Shilajit. Later, Sushrut put forward that Shilajit contains two more vital elements. They were lead and zinc. Modern research has shown that Shilajit contains more than 85 minerals in different ionic forms and also a very effective acid known as fulvic acid. Shilajit’s composition is likened to the mineral ozokerite.

Shilajit is known by many other names. In English, it is popular as Mineral Pitch and Mineral Wax. It is also popular by its Latin names Asphaltum and Black Asphaltum (referring to Lauha Shilajit). Its Sanskrit name means ‘conqueror of rocks’ (shila = rock, jit = victory). Even in Sanskrit it is known by some other derived named such as Shilajitu, Silajatu, etc.

Properties

Charaka has mentioned that the Shilajit can make the body as hard as a rock, and that there is no disease that cannot be healed with Shilajit. This supreme confidence in Shilajit from the great guru Charaka himself stems from the fact that the Shilajit is a host of several curative properties. The following are some of the important properties of Shilajit:-

(i) Shilajit is an antioxidant.

(ii) Shilajit helps to rejuvenate the nervous system.

(iii) Shilajit is one of the few medicines in Ayurveda that have been classified as a panacea. It is used in conjunction with other herbs that are induced to work deeply within the body, and hence produce greater healing effect.

(iv) Shilajit helps in the transport of materials within the body.

(v) Shilajit is a blood purifier.

(vi) Shilajit has properties in increasing the memory and overall mental capacity of the person.

(vii) Shilajit is termed as a rasayana in Ayurvedic medicine. That is, it is an adaptogen that helps to alleviate immune disorders.

Uses

Shilajit has been traditionally used in India over several centuries for a wide variety of reasons. The following are some of the most important reasons for which Shilajit has gained its worldwide renown today:-

(i) Aphrodisiacal Properties

Shilajit is known best in India for its aphrodisiacal properties. Its mention has been made even in the great Indian treatise of sex, Kama Sutra, written by Vatsyayana. Shilajit can increase libido in both men and women. It is used worldwide in the treatment of impotence, erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, premature ejaculation, etc.

(ii) Chest Problems

Medical science has proved conclusively that Shilajit is useful in treating several problems of the chest. It is used in the treatment of allergies and in the treatment of respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, colds, cough, pneumonia, emphysema, etc.

(iii) Diabetes Mellitus

Due to its properties as a panacea, Shilajit is widely used in the treatment of diabetes. It carries the sugars in the blood to their final destination. Thus sugar is not allowed to accumulate within the bloodstream. This is a very important step in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Shilajit improves the function of the pancreas, which secretes insulin. Shilajit is useful in expelling the toxins from the body through urination. Overall, Shilajit improves the quality of blood.

(iv) Nervous Disorders

Shilajit is potent in the treatment of nervous disorders. It replenishes the wear and tear to the nervous system. Due to its adaptogen properties, it can resolve immune disorders of the body. Shilajit helps the body to recover damaged nerves comparatively fast.

(v) Obesity

Shilajit has the capacity to break down fat that has accumulated in the body. Since it can give fat metabolism the right direction, Shilajit is used in the treatment of obesity.

(vi) Vigor and Vitality

Shilajit is very popularly prescribed for its very beneficial effects in enhancing vigor and vitality. It can work deep within the nervous system and rebuild the lost energy levels. Due to this, the person feels rejuvenated. It must be noted that Shilajit does not just stimulate the body to ‘feel’ energy; it actually replenishes the energy that is lost from the system.