Shilajit: What It Is and How To Use It

Ever heard of Shilajit? Well, in our talk with Integrative Health Practitioner and biomedical student Pedro DoAmaral on the ‘Your Health. Your Story.’ podcast, we asked him about the benefits of Shilajit and discussed why he switched out his morning coffee for this ancient remedy.

What is Shilajit?

So, what exactly is Shilajit? Available in supplement form, Shilajit is growing in popularity among biohackers and health nuts for its energy, memory, mood, and detoxing benefits. While some consider it an herb and others consider it a mineral, it actually is both.

Shilajit is biomass or an exudate leftover from once-living cells, including plants, viruses, bacteria, parasites, and everything else that you find in a typical, natural environment.

Most commonly found in the Himalayas, this biomass accumulates across millennia and begins to decay and in a sense, ferment, as it is pressurized. Under such immense pressure, a black, gooey compound is formed that is incredibly nutrient-dense and is as good for the soil as it is for human gut health.

What’s In It?

Shilajit is a blackish-brownish Shilajit blackish-brownish sticky resin that was formed from organic materials decaying plants over centuries. The mineral-dense tar-like substance is found in high mountain ranges, such as the Himalayan mountains.

An analysis of the herbomineral drug shows Shilajit “contains humus, organic plant materials, and fulvic acid as the main carrier molecules. It actively takes part in the transportation of nutrients into deep tissues and helps to overcome tiredness, lethargy, and chronic fatigue. Shilajit improves the ability to handle high altitudinal stresses and stimulates the immune system.”

Benefits of Shilajit

Pedro takes us inside the biochemistry of Shilajit and explains why he uses this traditionally Ayurvedic remedy to improve his focus, mood, and gain a sense of calm. Additionally, he provides the logic behind his recommended dosage and what happens when you overdo it with this potent herb.

It has brought me at the very least more focus, more stability in terms of my mood. And I do feel a general calm than otherwise when… Shilajit is not present.”

How to Use It

“In terms of the dosing though, it matters because too much can be a bad thing, too much fulvic acid, Benzo[alpha]pyrene, can also be detrimental just like the coffee we just talked about. So the amount that you need for Shilajit to be medicinal is so little, but even then when you look at research and how Shilajit has been used, there’s been some trials where it’s been used for athletes and testosterone for performance and how much you’re getting out of free testosterone.” Pedro states. “And doses around 200 to 400 milligrams can be useful. I decided to kind of do little doses every day or every other day. I never do it more than three days in a row. And I’m looking at 10 to 20 milligrams per dose on a daily basis.”

Where to Get Shilajit

Although many companies now sell Shilajit, one trusted source that both Pedro and the medical team at NYCIM suggest is Himalayan Shilajit. Use code PEDROD at checkout for a 15% discount.

Pure Himalayan Shilajit

Average Cost: $0.93 for 1 Serving

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