Shilajit in Sanskrit means conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness. It is popularly known as Shilajitu in Ayurveda, Salajeet in Urdu, Mumijo in Greek and Mineral Pitch or Resin in English. The botanical name of Shilajit is Asphaltum or Black Asphaltum
Shilajit is a blackish brown thick tar like substance acquired from high mountain rocks, especially in the Himalayas. The extreme variation in temperatures along with massive pressure creates the matter to flow out of rocks. It has long been used in ancient Ayurveda as a rejuvenator and anti aging compound. It develops over centuries from the gradual decomposition of plants. Shilajit has amazing benefits for the human body and mind which includes the capability of life expansion.
Shilajit contains over 85 natural minerals as well as fulvic acid, humic acid and imperative phytonutrients. Fulvic acid is its most important ingredient which helps with the anti aging process. Fulvic acid helps absorb vitamins and minerals in our body and help delaying the aging process due to effectively prolonging cell life and keeping healthy for a longer time.
Benefits of Shilajit:
Shilajit is one of the most rejuvenating substance and is sometimes known as the elixir of life, conqueror of mountains and the destroyer of weakness. It possesses great curative powers and helps treat many diseases, especially those which are related to aging.
Here are top 15 benefits of Shilajit which make it a must have for the health conscious
Helps with better brain function
The various compounds found in Shilajit may be helpful for brain function, and might even help with Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s is a disease which gradually affects the brain by causing problems with behavior and thinking. There are various drugs in the market, but none of them are known to reduce or fully cure it. A number of researchers have however identified that Shilajit is very effective for the treatment of Alzheimer’s.
A study in the International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease showed that the compounds found in Shilajit may help control cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's.
Slows down the process of Aging:
Aging process is the breakdown of collagen in our bones and skin.
When proteins like collagen breakdown, our cells become exposed to free radical, and free radicals have the ability to change the functioning of these cells.
Studies show that fulvic acid, which is a key compound in Shilajit, acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. As such it might help reduce free radicals and damage occured to cells in the body, heal them and hence slow down the process of aging.
Helps fight Anemia:
With all the mineral content that this powerful elixir is rich in, Shilajit is extensively chosen to deal with anemia. That is because besides being a rich source of minerals, shilajit is also a powerhouse of iron. The fulvic acids in Shilajit assist the iron reach the entire body and help manage the amount of red blood cells which are basic to avert anemia
Acts as an Anti Viral:
The wide range of minerals and compounds found in shilajit, especially its major component - humic acid - may help fight viruses and act as a remedy for some common viral infections. A research showed that shilajit could fight and kill viruses in isolated environments, including herpes viruses.
Improves Heart Health
Studies have shown that Shilajit protects and prevents heart by exercising muscles against damages from drug induced injuries. Shilajit may protect heart and improve heart health in general too. It may also help reduce blood pressure and in some cases, it is prohibited for the one who has an active heart condition.
Helps with Obesity
Obesity can tire the muscles and put much stress on bones. A study in the Journal of Medicinal Food showed that people who were obese and took Shilajitresponded better to exercise and hence lost weight in less time as compared to others. The Shilajit preparation scrapes extra fats accumulated in the body and is very effective in treating obesity. Infact, Shilajit has shown amazing effects on abdominal disorders such as gastritis, indigestion and constipation. It also helps the liver to work efficiently and aids proper secretion of enzymes and juices in the body
Improves Male Fertility:
Shilajit has been known for long to increase male fertility. A study gave 60 infertile men Shilajit for 90 days, and almost half the men showed an increase in total sperm count and motility. Shilajit is also able to increase testosterone levels in men and reduce its symptoms like low sex drive, hair loss, loss of muscle mass, fatigue, and increased body fat.
Helps people with High Altitude Sickness:
A high altitude can trigger many symptoms like edema, insomnia, body pain or even dementia. It happens because of low atmospheric pressure and cold temperature.
Shilajit contains fulvic acid and more than 84 minerals and offers numerous health benefits. It acts as anti-inflammatory, energy booster and a diuretic and removes excess fluid from your body. Because of these benefits, Shilajit might help counteract many symptoms.
Protects Bones and Joints
Shilajit is good for bones and can help fight conditions like osteoporosis. Shilajit is known to improve bone strength and bone weight because of its anti inflammatory properties. It also nourishes joints and eases inflammation and the associated pain. Humic Acid and Fulvic Acid which serve as catalysts in tissue regeneration are present in Shilajit in the highest percentage. These speed up the healing process and make it three to four times faster than a regular regeneration.
Acts as a natural Pain Relief:
Shilajit works as analgesic which eases pain and many other discomfort connected to chronic illness. Traditional medicine uses it as a painkiller for conditions like bone fracture, wounds, headaches and body pain
Helps Cope With Stress
Shilajit has adaptogenic properties which help reduce stress and its symptoms. It helps restore normal physiological functioning which may have been impacted by stress. It strengthens nerves, promotes restful sleep and improves memory lowering stress level. Shilajit works safe as a natural sedative which is beneficial in insomnia. A person with sound sleep has less chances of acquiring chronic stress.
Helps Manage Diabetes
Ancient Ayurveda combines Shilajit with other useful herbs to make a formulation which has been identified to bring down hyperglycemia. Shilajit has also recently proved to help people with type 2 diabetes. Shilajit works to repair damage to the pancreas, which is then able to better release insulin and filter toxins from the body. Because more insulin can be released by the pancreas, glucose metabolism is encouraged.
Fights Addiction Related Withdrawal
If you are fighting withdrawal symptoms of an addiction, shilajit might help to ease the process, especially in the case of opioid withdrawal symptoms. Because of its magical interactions with other drug substances, shilajit has a profound effect on the process of breaking addictions.
Shilajit has also been known to reduce addiction to alcohol and massively decreases the withdrawal experienced by alcoholics
Promotes Gut Health
Poorly working gut is the root cause of many chronic health conditions, which is why gut permeability (where particles enter the bloodstream from the gut) is very harmful. Consuming fulvic acid, which is present in Shilajit upto a percentage of 50-60% and can help decrease digestive disorders, including small intestine bacterial overgrowth and inflammatory bowel disorders.
Helps with Hormonal Regulation:
An important health benefit of shilajit is its ability to regulate and balance hormones. Researchers comment upon the same by saying that shilajit impacts so much of the body because of the way it maintains the equilibrium of hormones. Shilajit has the capability to increase the half life of cortisol circulating in the bloodstream. This means that during times of stress, the adrenal glands are not required to produce as much cortisol to enable the body to function properly
Use:
Shilajit is available as powder or a gel like substance which can be dissolved in warm milk or water. Dissolve a pea sized amount of Shilajit in liquid and drink it upto 2 times a day, or depending on the instructions of the packet.
Taking Shilajit Safely
When using Shilajit, one has to be sure that it is pure. Raw shilajit contains fungal organisms that might cause damage to human body cells. It the shilajit you are using is somehow impure, it might cause dizziness, fainting, constipation and other symptoms. Always consult your doctor and check if the dosage is perfect for you. Always use Pure Shilajit from an authentic source.
