The short answer
The best-studied Shilajit benefits are higher testosterone in middle-aged men, better-kept strength during hard exercise, and slower bone loss in women after menopause. Each of those comes from a placebo-controlled human trial lasting two to eleven months. Claims about energy, brain health, skin and stamina are popular but rest mostly on lab work, small studies or tradition. Shilajit is a daily supplement, not a quick fix: every trial gave it once or twice a day for weeks.
What is Shilajit, and why do people take it?
Shilajit is a dark, sticky substance that seeps from rock in high mountain ranges, formed over centuries as plant matter breaks down under pressure. Depending on where you're from you might know it as shilajeet, salajeet, mumijo, mumiyo or "mineral pitch". In the Gulf it's often called حجر المومياء, the mummy stone.
Its main active part is fulvic acid, alongside humic acid and a range of trace minerals. Our Shilajit is collected by hand in Gilgit-Baltistan, in the Himalaya and Karakoram, then purified in water and dried in the sun. Independent tests put the fulvic acid in our resin at 53%.
People have taken it for generations as a daily tonic for strength and stamina. Modern research only started to test those uses properly in the last fifteen years, which is why the honest picture below is a mix of solid results and open questions.
Shilajit benefits at a glance
Each benefit is labelled with how much evidence sits behind it, so you can see at once what's been shown in people and what's still being explored.
Testosterone in men
Higher total and free testosterone after 90 days, compared with placebo.
Bone strength in women
Less bone density lost after menopause over 48 weeks.
Strength under fatigue
Active men kept more of their maximum strength after a tiring test.
Sperm count and motility
Improvements in men with low counts, in a study without placebo.
Muscle and collagen
Changes in genes linked to muscle and connective tissue.
Energy and antioxidants
Promising lab results. Widely reported, not yet measured in large trials.
Shilajit benefits for men
Most Shilajit research so far has been done in men, so this is where the evidence is strongest. Here's what each study tested and found.
Shilajit and testosterone
- Who
- 75 healthy men aged 45 to 55
- What
- 250 mg purified Shilajit twice a day, or a placebo, for 90 days
- Found
- Significantly higher total testosterone, free testosterone and DHEAS in the Shilajit group
What it means: this is the best evidence for the most searched question, "does Shilajit increase testosterone?" It looked at men in their late forties and early fifties, when levels naturally start to drift down. It doesn't tell us about younger men, or about women. [1]
Strength, training and recovery
- Who
- 63 recreationally active men
- What
- 250 mg or 500 mg Shilajit a day, or a placebo, for 8 weeks
- Found
- The 500 mg group held on to more of their maximum strength after an exhausting exercise test
What it means: rather than making men stronger overnight, Shilajit appeared to help them lose less strength when tired. That matters for gym-goers, labourers and anyone with a physical job. Researchers also saw lower levels of a marker of collagen breakdown, which hints at a role in recovery. [2]
Male fertility and sperm quality
- Who
- Men with low sperm counts (28 completed the study)
- What
- Processed Shilajit twice a day for 90 days
- Found
- Higher total sperm count and better motility at the end of the study
What it means: an encouraging result, but there was no placebo group, so we can't be sure how much was down to Shilajit. If you're trying for a family, treat it as a possible daily addition alongside proper advice from your doctor, not a solution on its own. [3]
Energy, stamina and "Shilajit benefits for men sexually"
This is one of the most searched topics, and we'd rather be straight with you. Traditional use of Shilajit is closely tied to male vitality, and many men say they feel more energetic and more like themselves when they take it daily. The testosterone trial above gives a plausible reason why some might notice a difference.
However, no large, well-designed trial has measured Shilajit's effect on libido or sexual performance directly. Anyone promising results in that area is going beyond the evidence. What we can say is that it's been studied for testosterone and sperm quality, two things closely linked to male health.
Shilajit benefits for women
Research in women is newer and smaller, but one trial stands out, and it's one of the longest Shilajit studies ever run.
Bone density after menopause
- Who
- 60 postmenopausal women with low bone density (osteopenia)
- What
- 125 mg or 250 mg Shilajit twice a day, or a placebo, for 48 weeks
- Found
- Women on Shilajit lost less bone density, especially at the higher amount, and had lower markers of oxidative stress and inflammation
What it means: after menopause, falling estrogen speeds up bone loss. This trial suggests daily Shilajit may help slow that down. It doesn't replace calcium, vitamin D, strength exercise or anything your doctor recommends, but it's a genuinely promising finding. [4]
Energy, iron and everyday tiredness
Many women look at Shilajit for low energy. It contains iron and other trace minerals, and early animal research suggested it may support iron levels. That hasn't been tested in women yet, so if you're often tired, a simple blood test is the place to start. Shilajit can sit alongside a balanced diet, not stand in for it.
Skin, hair and collagen
"Shilajit for skin" and "Shilajit for hair" are popular searches, mostly because of its minerals and fulvic acid. The closest human evidence is a small 8-week study in adults that found changes in genes linked to collagen and connective tissue. That's interesting, but it isn't the same as measured changes in skin or hair, and no trial has shown that yet. [5]
Hormones and the menstrual cycle
You'll see websites claiming Shilajit "balances female hormones". We haven't found any human trial that tested this, so we won't claim it. If hormones are your main reason for looking at Shilajit, please talk to your doctor first.
Benefits being researched for everyone
- Antioxidant activity. Fulvic acid shows strong antioxidant activity in lab tests, and the bone trial found lower oxidative stress markers in women taking Shilajit. [4]
- Cell energy. Researchers are exploring whether Shilajit supports mitochondria, the parts of our cells that make energy. This is still mostly lab and animal research. [6]
- Brain and memory. Lab studies have looked at whether fulvic acid affects proteins linked to memory decline. It's an early idea that hasn't been tested in people. [7]
- High altitude. Shilajit has long been used by people living and working in the mountains, where it comes from. Scientific work on this is limited.
The evidence meter
Here's our honest rating of each benefit, based on the quality and size of the research available as of November 2026.
Even the strongest results come from trials of 60 to 75 people, and most used one branded, purified Shilajit extract in capsules. Results from one product can't automatically be applied to another, ours included.
Shilajit resin benefits vs drops
Resin or drops: do the benefits differ?
Our resin and our drops start from the same purified Gilgit-Baltistan Shilajit and go through the same lab checks, so the Shilajit itself is the same. What changes is how it fits into your day, and that matters, because every benefit above was seen with daily use over weeks or months.
The resin
The traditional form. Nothing added, and you can see and feel the texture. It takes a minute to dissolve in a warm drink, which many people enjoy as a morning ritual.
The drops
Liquid Shilajit from our sister brand Minerals Pitch. Count 5 to 10 drops into any drink, so it's quicker and the amount is the same every day. Easy to keep in a gym bag or take travelling.
Our honest advice: pick the one you're more likely to take every single day. Consistency will make more difference than the form.
How long does Shilajit take to work?
We can't promise you'll feel anything by a certain date, but the studies give a realistic idea of the timescales researchers used.
- Weeks 1–2Getting into a routine. Start at the lower amount so your body gets used to it. Some people say they feel a difference in energy early on, but that's personal experience rather than something studies have measured.
- Around week 8The point where the strength and muscle studies took their measurements. [2] [5]
- Around week 12The testosterone and sperm studies ran for 90 days, so give it at least three months before judging. [1] [3]
- Six to twelve monthsSlower changes such as bone density were measured over 48 weeks. [4]
How to take Shilajit for the best results
Resin · 30 g jar
pea-sized ≈ 300–500 mg
- Take a pea-sized piece with the spoon or a clean knife tip.
- Stir it into warm water, tea or milk until fully dissolved.
- Drink once a day, at about the same time.
Drops · 30 ml bottle
5–10 drops ≈ 0.25–0.5 ml
- Shake the bottle gently.
- Add 5 drops to water, tea, milk or juice, building up to 10.
- Once a day. Please don't take more than 10 drops a day.
A few tips that help: take it in the morning or before training rather than late at night, pair it with breakfast if your stomach is sensitive, and set a daily reminder for the first few weeks. During Ramadan, many of our customers take it at suhoor in warm water or milk.
Shilajit side effects and who should avoid it
Purified Shilajit taken at normal amounts is generally well tolerated in the studies above, and a safety review of the research found no serious problems with purified products. [6] The main risk comes from raw or poorly purified Shilajit, which can contain heavy metals, mould or other contaminants. That's why we test every batch.
Please don't take Shilajit if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- are under 18
- have been told you have high iron levels
- have a health condition or take regular prescriptions, unless your doctor has said it's fine
Some people notice mild stomach upset at first. Taking it with food, or starting at a smaller amount, usually helps. Stop and speak to your doctor if anything doesn't feel right.
Pure Shilajit benefits only come from pure Shilajit
Everything on this page assumes clean, properly purified Shilajit. Before you buy from anyone, including us, check for:
- A named origin, not just the word "Himalayan" on the label
- A heavy metals test by an independent lab (ICP-MS is the gold standard)
- Microbiology and aflatoxin tests, which check it was dried and stored properly
- A batch number that links the jar or bottle to its own report
- A certified facility, such as ISO 22000, GMP or HACCP
Our lab reports and certificates are published in full on our lab reports page, and we'll email you the report for your exact batch on request.
Shilajit benefits: your questions answered
What are the main benefits of Shilajit?
The best-supported benefits from human trials are higher testosterone in middle-aged men, less strength lost during hard exercise, and slower bone loss in women after menopause. Energy, antioxidant and brain benefits are being researched but aren't proven yet.
Does Shilajit increase testosterone?
In a 90-day placebo-controlled trial, healthy men aged 45 to 55 taking purified Shilajit had significantly higher total and free testosterone. It hasn't been tested the same way in younger men.
What does Shilajit do for a woman?
The main finding in women is from a 48-week trial where postmenopausal women taking Shilajit lost less bone density than those on placebo. Claims about hormones, skin and hair haven't been tested in women yet.
Is Shilajit good for you to take every day?
All the studies gave Shilajit daily, from 8 to 48 weeks, and it was generally well tolerated. Stick to the amount on the label and choose a lab-tested product.
What are the benefits of Shilajit resin compared with capsules?
Resin is the least processed form, with nothing added, and you can see what you're buying. Capsules are convenient, but you can't see what's inside, and some contain fillers or very little Shilajit. Drops sit in between, quick to take with an exact amount.
How long does it take for Shilajit to work?
Studies measured results after 8 weeks for strength, 12 weeks for testosterone and 48 weeks for bone density. Give it at least two to three months of daily use before judging.
Is Shilajit good for energy?
Many people say it helps their energy, and researchers are studying its role in how cells produce energy. It hasn't been proven in a large human trial yet, so treat energy as a possible benefit rather than a promise.
What are the side effects of Shilajit?
Purified Shilajit is generally well tolerated. Some people get mild stomach upset at first. Raw or untested Shilajit is the real risk, as it may contain heavy metals or contaminants.
Can women take Shilajit?
Yes, adult women can take it, and one of the most important Shilajit trials was done in women. Please avoid it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Is Himalayan Shilajit better than other Shilajit?
Shilajit is found in several mountain ranges, and the Himalayan and Karakoram regions are the best known. Where it's from matters less than how it's purified and tested. Always ask for lab reports.
Is Shilajit halal?
Yes. Our Shilajit and the way it's made are Halal certified.
Should I choose the resin or the drops?
They're the same Shilajit, so choose the one that fits your routine. Pick the resin if you like a slow morning ritual, or the drops if you want it done in seconds.
References
- Pandit S, et al. Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia. 2016. PubMed
- Keller JL, et al. The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019. PMC
- Biswas TK, et al. Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia. Andrologia. 2010. PubMed
- Pingali U, Nutalapati C. Shilajit extract reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss to dose-dependently preserve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia. Phytomedicine. 2022. PubMed
- Das A, et al. The human skeletal muscle transcriptome in response to oral Shilajit supplementation. J Med Food. 2016. PubMed
- Stohs SJ. Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo). Phytother Res. 2014. PubMed
- Carrasco-Gallardo C, et al. Shilajit: a natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity. Int J Alzheimers Dis. 2012. PMC
