New research has revealed powerful rejuvenative properties of an herb that Ayurvedic texts labeled a panacea – or “cure-all” – thousands of years ago.
This ancient Ayurvedic secret is Shilajit, also known as, “the destroyer of weakness.” For thousands of years, Shilajit has been used for:
- Energy
- Mood
- Memory
- Anxiety
- Absorption of vital nutrients
- Supporting the potency of other nutrients
- Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Diabetes
- Blood sugar levels
- Heavy metals and toxins in the body
- Free radicals
- Cysts and tumors
Shilajit has been touted for millennia as the best herbal carrier of energy and nutrition into the human body. Modern science has supported this by identifying fulvic and humic acids, which are found in abundance in Shilajit. Fulvic and humic acids are responsible for energy production within the cell (1). Science is just beginning to understand the implications of fulvic acid-rich herbs like Shilajit.
Researchers are excited about Shilajit’s potential, such as increasing the potency of other nutrients by up to 30%!
Read more to learn how this herb delivers more energy without being a stimulant, and why it is the only herb, out of 2000 medicinal plants, given the label ‘panacea’ in the Indian Materia Medica.
Shilajit is the Essence of Ancient Tropical Forests
About 40 million years ago, the Indian continent collided into Asia and formed the Himalayan mountain range. In the process, tropical forests were crushed and compacted between massive boulders as the mountains formed.
The compressed forests gradually transformed into a nutrient and mineral rich biomass loaded with medicinal humic and fulvic acids. In addition to the fulvic and humic acids, Shilajit is like a refrigerator full of many nutrients and minerals. The other primary component of Shilajit is DBP’s (dibenzo alpha pyrones) which is the energizer bunny component.
Now, every summer as the mountains warm, India’s most powerful herb literally exudes from the mountain rock crevices as a biomass resin.
Renew Your Cells
It is well known that highly oxygenated cells are resistant to cancer, cell death and disease. Shilajit supports cellular regeneration by driving oxygen and nutrients into the cell (5) and escorting free radicals out of the cell (6).
Plants pull minerals out of the soil and transform them into bio-available nutrients for the plant. This process requires an ample amount of fulvic acid.
Fulvic acid is what makes both these processes possible. Shilajit is one of the richest sources of fulvic acid in the world.
Shilajit Makes all Herbs and Nutrients More Effective
Colloidal minerals are minerals in solution that are much easier to absorb than other mineral supplements. It is the fulvic acids found in Shilajit that bring minerals we so desperately need into a colloidal solution. Once in solution, we can digest and assimilate the minerals.
Traditionally, Shilajit was described as “yoga vahi” which means that whatever it is taken with will be enhanced due to Shilajit’s ability to bring any nutrient into solution and drive it into the cell.
In one study CoQ10, which supports heart, liver and kidney health, was enhanced by 29% with the addition of Shilajit (2).
Feeling Tired? No Endurance?
Shilajit supports deep rejuvenation and energy production. In a recent study, participants took just 200mg of Shilajit each day for 15 days and the available energy in their blood after vigorous exercise was equivalent to the levels of available energy before starting exercise (4).
Recent studies on Shilajit show that it delivers energy and nutrients to the cell at astonishing levels. In one study mice underwent strenuous exercise and had their energy (ATP) expenditure measured with and without Shilajit. The energy depleted twice as fast in the group that did not take the Shilajit (3).
Mood Support
Shilajit supports healthy dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of contentment and may support the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (7).
Memory
Shilajit supports learning acquisition and memory retrieval by driving oxygen, minerals and nutrients into the brain tissue while protecting the brain from neurotoxins (8).
Anxiety
Shilajit is used for anxiety (8). According to Ayurveda, anxiety is caused by a state of exhaustion in which there is not enough energy to sedate and calm the nervous system. Shilajit supports healthy energy reserves.
Super Anti-Oxidant
Shilajit supports the production of antioxidants, such as Glutathione peroxidase, Super oxide dismutase and Catalase, in brain tissue, which protects the brain from oxidative damage and cognitive decline (9).
Blood Sugar
Shilajit supports healthy fasting blood sugar levels. Stable blood sugar provides stable energy, improved mood, better fat metabolism and decreased cravings (12).
Inflammation
Shilajit supports a healthy inflammation response through cellular oxygenation and free radical activity (12).
Diabetes
Shilajit supports healthy pancreatic cell function, energy, and repair (10).
Alzheimer’s Disease
Shilajit supports healthy neurotransmitter levels in the brain that may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease (11).
Detoxification
Fulvic acids found in Shilajit are very porous, allowing nutrition and energy to be carried into the cell and toxins to be pulled out of the cell and the body (13,14).
As a natural electrolyte, fulvic acid supports electrical balance to damaged cells, neutralizes toxins and can eliminate food poisoning within minutes (13,14).
Cysts and Tumors
Traditionally, Shilajit has been used to break up obstructions, scar tissue, cysts and tumors, such as ovarian cysts, liver cysts, breast cysts, and malignant or benign tumors.
When the Indian Materia Medica described shilajit as a panacea, they were most likely referring to its ability to support many of the systems in the body. As a result, shilajit has played many roles in Ayurveda. Still today, you will not find an Ayurvedic pharmacy without a good supply of shilajit.
References:
1. Agarwal SP, Khanna R, Karmarkar R, Anwer MK, Khar RK. Shilajit: a review. Phytother Res. 2007 May;21(5):401-5.
2. Bhattacharyya S, Pal D, Banerjee D, et al. Shilajit dibenzo—pyrones: Mitochondria targeted antioxidants. Pharmacologyonline. 2009; 2:690-8.
3. Bhattacharyya S, Pal D, Gupta AK, Ganguly P, Majumder UK, Ghosal S. Beneficial effect of processed shilajit on swimming exercise induced impaired energy status of mice. Pharmacologyonline. 2009;1:817-25.
4. Pal D, Bhattacharya S. Pilot Study on the Improvement of Human Performance with ReVitalETTM as Energy Booster: Part-IV. 2006. Data on file. Natreon, Inc.
5. Visser SA. Effect of humic substances on mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation. Sci Total Environ. 1987 Apr;62:347-54.
6. Piotrowska D, Dlugosz A, Witkiewicz K, Pajak J. The research on antioxidative properties of TOLPA Peat Preparation and its fractions. Acta Pol Pharm. 2000 Nov;57 Suppl:127-9.
7,8,9,10,11 Ghosal S. Shilajit in Perspective. Oxford, U.K.: Narosa Publishing House; 2006
12. Clinical study for evaluation of plasma antioxidant capacity and safe use of purified and standardized Shilajit (ReVitalET) in normal volunteers. J. B. Roy State Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. 2007. Data on file. Natreon, Inc.
13. Paraquat – Fischer, A.M., Winterie, J.S., Mill, T. (1967). Primary photochemical processes in photolysis medicated by humic substances. In R.G. Zika, W.J. Cooper (Eds). Photochemistry of environmental aquatic system (141-156). (ACS Symposium Series 327). Washington D.C.: American Chemical Society.
14. Pesticides – Aiken, G.R. McKnight, D.M. MacCarthy, P. (1985). Humic substances of soil, sediment and water. New York: Wiley-Interscience.
