By @jenacovello @simpleorganix

Even though this ancient herb is just getting recognition for its many health benefits, shilajit has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the last 5000 years. Shilajit is a natural dark gooey substance that takes centuries to form. It forms as moisture slowly runs down the Tibetan and Himalayan mountains collecting minerals, organic acids and nutrients. It is said that these organic compounds are over 300 million years old. Shilajit is essentially a fossilized concentration of plant derived super minerals that cannot be replicated, even by a high tech laboratory.     

Lets take a look at the health benefits of shilajit: 

According to a study, Shilajit can be the most natural way to detoxify your body daily. The purest form is rich in antioxidants and vital nutrients, including more than 80 traces of enzymes, minerals, phytonutrients, & amino acids. Among these, Fulvic Acid and Humic Acid are considered to be the most powerful antioxidants to help eliminate toxins and chemicals from your body. These are both organic compounds found in water and soil made of decomposing plant materials that deliver energy, minerals and enzymes to every cell in the human body. These acids work together as fulvic carries nutrients while humic makes them readily available to permeate through cell walls. It also contains over 80 essential minerals, plant alkaloids, iron, amino acids and other natural chemical compounds that aid in many aspects of mind, body and spirit. Shilajit can help eliminate free-radicals and heavy metals such as mercury and lead in your body.

Has the ability to regulate hormones by creating balance with different immune functions. A human study conducted in India in 2015 showed a 23% boost in testosterone levels and 61% increase of sperm count in males within a 90 day trial. Shilajit also helps balance estrogen and progesterone levels in women, encouraging healthy periods, reducing menstrual pain and increasing fertility. It is also revered for its many natural aphrodisiac components for both men and women.

It nourishes every aspect of cell function by providing energy and oxygenating cells. This increases stamina, athletic performance and combats chronic fatigue syndrome. Often times, shilajit plays the role of a potent antioxidant, fighting disease-causing free radicals. These components are known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties targeting things like herpes, respiratory infections, chronic pain and preventing cancer. Specifically targeting, lung, breast, liver, ovarian and colon cancers alike.

It is known to have affects on all aspects of neurological function, including traumatic brain injuries, epilepsy and balancing Gaba levels. It helps reduce overall blood sugars, supports the skeletal system and protects both the heart and liver against damage. It also helps bring balance to kidneys, prostate and the urinary system.

Because shilajit is so nutrient dense, it plays an important role in bioavailbility with other vitamins such as Vitamin D to boost testosterone and B complex to aid with Alzheimer’s symptoms. Perhaps these were the many reasons why indigenous people often observed monkeys traveling far distances to eat this sticky goo which they believed attributed to their good health, well into their old age.

Let's not forget the many energetic and spiritual aspects of this natural sacred resin. It is said that shilijat brings about spiritual enlightenment when combined with meditations, mantras and chakra clearing practices. The rich mineral compounds in shilijat help restore the body at an elemental and foundational level, helping us stay energetically grounded. This intern helps unblock our foundational Root Chakra which governs fertility, sexual organs, colon, adrenals, cortisol, bones, teeth, nails, lower spine and the central nervous systems “fight or flight” mode.  

Shilajit also referred to as mumijo, ranges from a yellow to dark tinges of red, blue, gold and amber, to pure black in color. This is all dependent on altitude formation as every resin will be different according to region, environment and temperatures. The darker the color, the higher the nutritional density. Shilajit should never be heated, only kept at room temperature as a means of preserving its precious chemical components and nutrients. Because it is water soluble, it should be mixed in room temperature water or liquids free of chlorine to avoid potential risks. People with heart disease or sickle cell anemia should discuss taking shilajit with a doctor before use.

If we take into consideration the magical process nature takes in creating shilajit, we can begin to understand the magnitude of its healing properties. This resin has touched every aspect of the mountains eco system for millions of years, creating immunity, healing, shaping and shifting over and over again. Similar to the way the cells work in the human body. I often say that humans are a direct reflection of nature, perhaps this is why the chemical composition of shilajit works so well with our chemical composition.

By Jena and Natasha M

 ***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA.  WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST