What is Shilajit?
For thousands of years the restorative benefits of shilajit mineral resin have been known to people inhabiting the world’s highest peaks. But what is it exactly?
Shilajit resin
Shilajit resembles a black tar-like substance with a mildly unpleasant fragrance. It’s a mineral rich resin which exudes from cracks in mountains above an altitude of 12,000-15,000 feet (3700-4600 metres). It’s precise mineral composition depends on the rocks it exuded from, so shilajit from different mountain ranges will have different chemical consistencies. However generally speaking shilajit contains most of the elements in the periodic table, so is nature’s ultimate multi-vitamin. It’s freezing point is around 12 degrees and its melt point is around 25 degrees.
How Shilajit forms
According to legends from the Karakoram mountains, shilajit is the magical excrement from a Simurgh bird, (similar to a Phoenix). But if you’re after scientific explanations for shilajit there are two; one claims it is fermented plant matter which under pressure from mountains slowly exudes through cracks. The other explanation describes it as a type of ‘perspiration of rocks’ where the mineral content of rocks is squeezed out. We at Black Mountain, who have personally visited the exact mountains we get our shilajit from, believe it to be the later explanation. This is because shilajit is found above the tree-line where organic matter is practically or entirely absent. We believe shilajit is therefore entirely mineral and not organic and this explanation is supported by laboratory testing. Additionally shilajit bearing rocks taken to sea-level stop exuding the resin.
Harvesting Shilajit
Shilajit is harvested during summer months when mountain snow melts to reveal the rocks. The slow, arduous and risky task of scouring the mountains searching for caves, crevices and fissures begins when winter’s snows retreat. Harvesters chip away at rocks containing shilajit and place it in a backpack and continue their search. In a single season a typical shilajit harvester can recover 15-25kg. Shilajit harvesters sleep on the mountains and frequently encounter snow leopards, wolves and other wild animals. It can be very dangerous but also enjoyable Wildlife as well as humans recognise the health benefits of shilajit. The Himalayan shrew, Ibex, Makhor and other mammals all enjoy licking shilajit rich rocks and are notably energetic after doing so. The presence of abundant shrew droppings in an area is in fact an encouraging sign for shilajit harvesters.
Wildlife as well as humans recognise the health benefits of shilajit. The Himalayan shrew, Ibex, Makhor and other mammals all enjoy licking shilajit rich rocks and are notably energetic after doing so. The presence of abundant shrew droppings in an area is in fact an encouraging sign for shilajit harvesters.
Where is Shilajit found?
Shilajit can be found in any high altitude mountain ranges, but today it is mostly harvested from four locations:
Processing shilajit
Because shilajit is tar-like; dust, dirt, feathers etc stick to the resin so it needs to be purified before consumption. Separating shilajit from rock and impurities is a relatively easy process involving extended boiling. Shilajit floats to the top and impurities sink to the bottom. Black Mountain’s processed shilajit is sundried and solidified and then purified again. It is normal for shilajit to undergo three purifications.
Male sexual health
Approximately 80% of the world’s consumption of shilajit is estimated to be for male sexual health. Long before viagra, shilajit was known to cure erectile dysfunction and to provide stamina. Prolonged usage for this purpose was traditionally discouraged as it was reserved for ‘special occasions’.
Bone mineral density
Shilajit’s second most popular use is to aid fracture healing and joint inflammation and pain. Shilajit improves bone mineral density thus strengthening bones. As people age their bones lose minerals and density and become brittle. Shilajit has been an ancient remedy for fracture recovery particularly in the aged and to prevent bone density loss.
Other uses
Shilajit is known to aid inflammation, joint pain and provide muscle recovery. It is popular with body builders as a testosterone booster. Shilajit has a very high zinc content which means it boosts immunity and also helps prevent hair loss. Shilajit was a traditional prescription in Ancient Greek medicine. In Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent where Ancient Greek medical practices continue to be followed, shilajit remains an important treatment for diverse ailments.
Black Mountain's Shilajit
Shilajit harvesting is essentially a ‘cottage industry’ in Himalayan regions. Mountain harvesters in unimaginably remote locations collect the resin during the summer then process it before the start of winter. In a practice dating back centuries buyers travel from village to village purchasing available stocks and then prepare it for market. Unfortunately most shilajit from India, Nepal and Pakistan is diluted with dubious compounds so buyers are not getting a pure product. To overcome this problem Black Mountain purchases its own shilajit in a semi-refined state and overseas its production before exporting it to Australia where it is tested before dispatch. Each batch is issued with its own serial number and its purity and unique mineral content laboratory tested. This is the best way we can guarantee 100% purity.
How to consume Shilajit?
Shilajit should be consumed in very small amounts; approximately the size of a grain of rice for an adult. Because genuine shilajit has an unpleasant taste we recommend licking it off a spoon before drinking a hot drink like coffee or tea. Cheaper shilajits often have an almond taste, which is a sure sign it has been diluted.
If you haven’t tried Shilajit before, we recommend you buy a sample pack and try it daily for one week, then abstain from it for three days. We are confident you will notice the energy boost and mental clarity before returning back to ‘normal’. Black Mountain really does believe its products are nature’s ultimate multi vitamin.
If you haven’t tried Shilajit before, we recommend you buy a sample pack and try it daily for one week, then abstain from it for three days. We are confident you will notice the energy boost and mental clarity before returning back to ‘normal’. Black Mountain really does believe its products are nature’s ultimate multi vitamin.
