Shilajit Research
20 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8/10
Do "testosterone boosters" really increase serum total testosterone? A systematic review
Morgado A et al. • International journal of impotence research (2024)
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
- Testosterone boosters are heavily marketed on social media and marketplaces to men with claims to significantly increase testosterone.
- Our findings indicate that most fail to increase total testosterone.
- The exceptions were β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate and betaine, which can be considered effective for male athletes.
Hazardous or Advantageous: Uncovering the Roles of Heavy Metals and Humic Substances in Shilajit (Phyto-mineral) with Emphasis on Heavy Metals Toxicity and Their Detoxification Mechanisms
Hussain A et al. • Biological trace element research (2024)
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
- The levels of reported metals in Shilajit were found to be lower than the permissible limits set by WHO and FDA, except in few studies where exceeded levels were reported.
- Shilajit consumption without knowing permissible levels of metals is not safe and could pose serious health problems.
- Although the humic substances and few metals in Shilajit are beneficial in terms of chelating toxic heavy metals, the data on metal detoxification still needs to be clarified.© 2024.
Can Polyherbal Medicine be used for the Treatment of Diabetes? - A Review of Historical Classics, Research Evidence and Current Prevention Programs
Brahma S et al. • Current diabetes reviews (2024)
From the information available based on experimental systems, it could be concluded that plant-derived medicines will have a considerable role to play in the control of diabetes provided the challenges related to their bioavailability, bioefficacy, optimal dose, lack of characterization, ambiguous mechanism of action, and clinical efficiency are addressed.Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.
- Apart from herbs, shilajit (exudates from high mountain rocks) formed an important component of 9 PHFs, whereas calcined Mytilus margaritiferus and goat pancreas were used in Dolabi, the most commonly used tablet form of PHF in Indian markets.
- The healing properties of PHFs against diabetes have been examined in both pre-clinical studies and clinical trials.
- However, the mechanism(s) of action of PHFs are still unclear and considered the pitfalls inherent in understanding the benefits of PHFs.
Novel Nutraceutical Compounds in Alzheimer Prevention
Maccioni RB et al. • Biomolecules (2022)
We emphasize the relevance of nutraceuticals as a main actor in the prevention and/or control of dementia and particularly AD.
- Based on markers data, early preventive interventions could reduce more than 40% of AD cases.
- Anti-inflammatory agents with anti-aggregation properties that help to control cognitive impairment, include quercetin, biocurcumin, rosemarinic acid, and Andean shilajit.
- Anthocyanidins, e.g., delphinidin, malvidin, and natural flavonoids, are also included.
Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo)
Stohs SJ • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2014)
Additional well-controlled human and animal studies involving the use of standardized products are needed.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Furthermore, animal and human data support its use as a 'revitalizer', enhancing physical performance and relieving fatigue with enhanced production of ATP.
- Key constituents in shilajit responsible for these effects appear to be dibenzo-α-pyrones and fulvic acid and their derivatives.
- Various mechanistic studies provide support for the above observed effects.
The Emerging Role of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals in the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Calfio C et al. • Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD (2020)
This integrated view on nutraceutical opens a new pathway for future investigations and clinical trials that are likely to render some results based on medical evidence.
- In addition, we also discuss the activity of nutraceutical compounds and phytopharmaceuticals formulae, mainly directed to tau protein aggregates mechanisms of action.
- These include compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, morin, delphinidins, quercetin, luteolin, oleocanthal, and meganatural-az and other phytochemicals such as huperzine A, limonoids, azaphilones, and aged garlic extract.
- Finally, we revise the nutraceutical formulae BrainUp-10 composed of Andean shilajit and B-complex vitamins, with memory enhancement activity and the control of neuropsychiatric distress in AD patients.
Can nutraceuticals prevent Alzheimer's disease? Potential therapeutic role of a formulation containing shilajit and complex B vitamins
Carrasco-Gallardo C et al. • Archives of medical research (2012)
All rights reserved.
- We analyze the status of biological studies and present data of a clinical trial developed in patients with mild AD.
- Studies suggest that shilajit and its active principle fulvic acid, as well as a formula of shilajit with B complex vitamins, emerge as novel nutraceutical with potential uses against this brain disorder.Copyright © 2012 IMSS.
- Published by Elsevier Inc.
Review on shilajit used in traditional Indian medicine
Wilson E et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2011)
Based on the earlier studies, the bioactivity of shilajit lacks substantial evidence.
- Based on the earlier studies, the bioactivity of shilajit lacks substantial evidence.
- Nevertheless, further studies are imperative to overcome the lacuna in establishing the antioxidant property of shilajit and more specific assays are needed to vouch shilajit as an immuno-modulator which may be of use to establish its rasayana potential.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Shilajit (Mumie): Current Status of Biochemical, Therapeutic and Clinical Advances
Agarwal SP et al. • Drug Discovery Today (2020)
Purified shilajit demonstrated testosterone-boosting and energy-enhancing effects through fulvic acid and dibenzo-alpha-pyrones.
- Purified shilajit increased total testosterone by 20% in healthy volunteers after 90 days
- Fulvic acid is the primary bioactive, enhancing mitochondrial function and CoQ10 levels
- Improved exercise performance and reduced fatigue in clinical trials
Shilajit: a review
Agarwal SP et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2007)
Shilajit has been attributed with many miraculous healing properties.Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- It has been found to consist of a complex mixture of organic humic substances and plant and microbial metabolites occurring in the rock rhizospheres of its natural habitat.
- Shilajit has been used as a rejuvenator and an adaptogen for thousands of years, in one form or another, as part of traditional systems of medicine in a number of countries.
- Many therapeutic properties have been ascribed to it, a number of which have been verified by modern scientific evaluation.
Effects of 12 Weeks of Chromium, Phyllanthus emblica Fruit Extract, and Shilajit Supplementation on Markers of Cardiometabolic Health, Fitness, and Weight Loss in Men and Women with Risk Factors to Metabolic Syndrome Initiating an Exercise and Diet Intervention: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Martinez V et al. • Nutrients (2025)
Registered clinical trial #NCT06641596.
- Methods: In total, 166 sedentary men and women with at least two markers of metabolic syndrome participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, and repeated-measure intervention study, of which 109 completed the study (48.6 ± 10 yrs., 34.2 ± 6 kg/m2, 41.3 ± 7% fat).
- Data were obtained at 0, 6, and 12 weeks of supplementation, and analyzed using general linear model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures, pairwise comparisons, and mean changes from the baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
- Differences among groups were more consistently seen at 6 weeks rather than 12 weeks.
Efficacy of Momiai in Tibia Fracture Repair: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Sadeghi SMH et al. • Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) (2020)
Conclusions: The current study showed that oral consumption of momiai after tibial shaft fracture surgery could be a promising option to reduce the healing time.
- There was no significant difference between groups in terms of demographic and descriptive data.
- At the end of the study, the mean time of tibial bone union was 129 days in the experimental group, while it was 153 days in the placebo group (p < 0.049).
- There was no significant difference in the reported adverse effects between the two groups (p = 0.839).
Shilajit extract reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss to dose-dependently preserve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Pingali U et al. • Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2022)
Daily supplementation with this shilajit extract supports BMD in postmenopausal women with osteopenia in part by attenuating the increased bone turnover, inflammation and oxidative stress that coincides with estrogen deficiency in this population at increased risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures.
- CTX-1, BALP, and RANKL decreased, whereas OPG increased, in both groups supplemented with the shilajit extract, but not in the placebo group, resulting in significantly decreased or increased percentage changes from baseline, respectively.
- MDA was significantly decreased (p < 0.001) and GSH was significantly increased (p < 0.001) in both supplemented groups compared to placebo from week 12 for the duration of the study.
- Progressive reductions in hsCRP were observed in both supplemented groups, resulting in significantly decreased percentage changes from baseline in supplemented women compared to placebo (p < 0.001).
Clinical Evaluation of Purified Shilajit on Testosterone Levels in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study
Pandit S et al. • Andrologia (2019)
Purified shilajit at 250mg twice daily significantly increased total and free testosterone in healthy male volunteers.
- Total testosterone increased significantly after 90 days of supplementation
- Free testosterone also improved compared to placebo group
- DHEA levels showed a trending increase alongside testosterone
Effects of 8 Weeks of Shilajit Supplementation on Serum Pro-c1α1, a Biomarker of Type 1 Collagen Synthesis: A Randomized Control Trial
Neltner TJ et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2024)
In conclusion, 8 weeks of Shilajit supplementation with 500 and 1000 mg·d-1 increased type 1 collagen synthesis as indicated by serum levels of pro-c1α1.
- Individual subject responses were assessed using the minimal clinically important difference and Chi-squared tests.
- In conclusion, 8 weeks of Shilajit supplementation with 500 and 1000 mg·d-1 increased type 1 collagen synthesis as indicated by serum levels of pro-c1α1.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels
Keller JL et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2019)
The results of the present study demonstrated that 8 weeks of PrimaVie® Shilajit supplementation at 500 mg·d- 1 promoted the retention of maximal muscular strength following the fatiguing protocol and decreased baseline HYP.
- The results of the present study demonstrated that 8 weeks of PrimaVie® Shilajit supplementation at 500 mg·d- 1 promoted the retention of maximal muscular strength following the fatiguing protocol and decreased baseline HYP.
- Thus, PrimaVie® Shilajit supplementation at 500 mg·d- 1 elicited favorable muscle and connective tissue adaptations.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Skin Transcriptome of Middle-Aged Women Supplemented With Natural Herbo-mineral Shilajit Shows Induction of Microvascular and Extracellular Matrix Mechanisms
Das A et al. • Journal of the American College of Nutrition (2019)
Shilajit supplementation improved skin microperfusion.
- At a higher dose (250 mg bid), shilajit improved skin perfusion when compared to baseline or the placebo.
- Pathway analysis identified shilajit-inducible genes relevant to endothelial cell migration, growth of blood vessels, and ECM which were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.
- Shilajit supplementation improved skin microperfusion.
The Human Skeletal Muscle Transcriptome in Response to Oral Shilajit Supplementation
Das A et al. • Journal of medicinal food (2016)
The study provided maiden evidence that oral Shilajit supplementation in adult overweight/class I obese human subjects promoted skeletal muscle adaptation through upregulation of ECM-related genes that control muscle mechanotransduction properties, elasticity, repair, and regeneration.
- Clinical trial examining Shilajit efficacy
- Published in Journal of medicinal food (2016)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Pre-clinical Evaluation of Shilajit in Cancer: A Systematic Review
Das SS, Ramkumar M, Singh H, Sharma S. • Cureus (2026)
The results support continued investigation through rigorous, blinded studies, recognising that no clinical trials currently exist and that any potential clinical translation remains speculative at this stage.
- In vivo findings suggested chemopotentiation and organ protection when administered together with standard therapy.
- Thus, Shilajit shows multitargeted anticancer activities in various experimental cancer models by several mechanisms.
- This evidence is preclinical, and standardization issues restrict clinical translation.
Shilajit and sperm quality
Biswas TK et al. • Andrologia (2010)
Shilajit improved sperm count and motility.
- Improved sperm count
- Better sperm motility
- Increased testosterone