shilajit

Shilajit is a sticky, tar-like substance that seeps from rocks in mountain ranges such as the Himalayas and is sold in the US as a dietary supplement, usually as a resin, powder, or capsule. It contains fulvic acid along with a variable mix of minerals and other plant-derived compounds. As a dietary supplement, it is not reviewed or approved by the FDA for safety or effectiveness before it reaches the market.

We found no NIH Office of Dietary Supplements or NCCIH fact sheet evaluating shilajit, and no rigorous, authoritative government review supporting any specific health benefit. The uses listed above reflect how products are marketed, not effects that have been proven. NCCIH cautions that a 'natural' origin does not by itself make a product safe or effective, and that some popular supplements have failed to show benefit when studied carefully (for example, several major studies of echinacea found no benefit against the common cold). High-quality human evidence for shilajit specifically is limited, so any benefit should be treated as unproven.

There is no government-established recommended dose for shilajit, and products vary widely in form and concentration. Because rigorous evidence and standardized dosing are lacking, no specific amount can be recommended as safe or effective. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using shilajit, and do not take more than the product label suggests.

Federal rules for manufacturing and distributing supplements are less strict than those for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, and the FDA does not approve supplements for safety before they are sold. The FDA has found products sold as supplements that were contaminated or that contained undeclared drugs, so what is printed on the label may not reflect what is actually in the product. Separately, published laboratory testing has detected heavy metals in shilajit and shilajit supplements — including lead in earlier analyses and thallium in more recent peer-reviewed testing — which is a real contamination concern for an earth-derived product. Pregnant or breastfeeding people, children, and anyone with a medical condition or scheduled for surgery should be especially cautious and consult a clinician first, since many supplements have not been tested in these groups.

A reliable side-effect profile has not been established by authoritative government sources, because shilajit has not been rigorously evaluated. NCCIH notes that 'natural' products are not free of side effects and can carry serious safety concerns, and that an herbal supplement may contain many chemical compounds whose effects are not fully known. Stop use and seek medical care if you have an unexpected reaction.

No authoritative government source has cataloged shilajit's drug interactions, but NCCIH warns that supplements can interact with medications in unexpected and sometimes serious ways. Tell all of your health care providers about every supplement you take, and check before any surgery, since some supplements can increase the risk of bleeding or affect your response to anesthesia. Review possible interactions with a pharmacist or doctor before combining shilajit with any medication.