Many years ago a sticky substance was discovered seeping from crevices in mountain rock high in the Himalayan Mountains. The substrate there is rather rocky and difficult to navigate, but not so for curious grazing animals. The story goes that goats who regularly licked the resin notably developed luscious coats, bright dispositions, and seemed to be more long-lived. Very curious, indeed! This inspired the long Ayurvedic history of Shilajit as an herbal supplement for human health. Today, Shilajit is available in several forms – Shilajit Resin, Shilajit Gummies, Shilajit Capsules, etc. – but which one is best?
Forms of Shilajit Supplement
Shilajit is typically taken 1-3 times a day. Shilajit resin is so nutrient-dense that it takes a very small amount of Shilajit for a whole dose. If you want to try Shilajit, you’ll need to select the form that works best for you.
Note: If you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications, you should speak with your medical professional for guidance.
Shilajit Resin
Shilajit in resin form is considered the most potent and pure form of Shilajit due to the minimal processing it undergoes to prepare it for human consumption. Even though Shilajit is one of many non-regulated herbal products available on today’s market, reputable vendors will put their Shilajit Resin products through lab screening to ensure the product is potent and free of contaminants. Since resin is the most natural form of Shilajit, it has a huge following of dedicated users.
The dosing is very small. We’re talking a rice-to-pea size of the Shilajit Resin for a dose. The resin melts on your tongue or can be blended in with a beverage. It’s a little hard to measure and can be quite bitter, prompting other Shilajit product forms that are gaining in popularity. Fans of Shilajit in resin form may use a small stick or toothpick to extract the dose from the jar and then either melt it directly on the tongue or swirl it into a beverage like coffee. Many say the bitterness gives the morning cuppa Joe a pleasurable kick!
PROS
- Most pure and potent method
- Provides an authentic Shilajit experience
- Quick to dissolve in a beverage or on your tongue
CONS
- May be messy
- May be bitter or have an odd smell
- May be hard to get the exact dosing
Jarred Shilajit resin can last years if stored properly. Store your Shilajit resin in a cool, dark place out of the reach of children and pets. Also, refer to the manufacturer’s expiration date on the jar. Learn more about how to use Shilajit Resin with our Shilajit Resin Guide.
Shilajit Capsules
Reap the benefits without the mess by taking Shilajit in capsule form. Capsules may offer a more comfortable experience to modern Shilajit users.
Shilajit capsules contain:
- Capsule material (often vegetable-based)
- Shilajit resin or a fine powder version of Shilajit
- Some may contain Shilajit extracts
- Some companies may use fillers or other additives (check labeling)
If you don’t mind letting go of the “authentic” way to take the herb then Shilajit Capsules are a quick, convenient, pre-measured, and bitterness-free way to enjoy Shilajit.
PROS
- Easy to take
- Convenient/portable
- Less flexibility with dosing when compared to resin
- Consistent dosing with no measuring
CONS
- May be more expensive over time
- Some nutrients may be lost in powder processing
- Some companies may add fillers or preservatives
- Less flexible dosing
Shilajit powders or resin in encapsulated form make taking Shilajit easy and consistent. Because the doses are pre-measured, you simply take your dose with a glass of water.
Shilajit Gummies
Shilajit Gummies are a relatively new way to take Shilajit, and appeal to a broad fanbase, especially in the US where gummy form is so popular. Take your dose in this delicious way to enjoy the range of health benefits along with convenience, portability, and a touch of sweetness. One of our favorite perks of taking Shilajit Gummies is the versatility. The serving size, for example, on a Kats Botanicals brand of Shilajit Gummies is one gummy. But since the gummies are easily divided, this means versatile dosing, especially for those new to Shilajit.
PROS
- Tasty and enjoyable
- Less mess than resin
- Easily divided for more versatile dosing
CONS
- Usually have added sugars
- Slightly more mess than capsules
- Slightly more mess than capsules
Shilajit Gummies are made with Shilajit Extracts to create a tasty yet potent way to get in your daily Shilajit doses. As with capsules, the extract is used to bolster the strength and also to make up for lost nutrients during processing.
Other Shilajit Forms
You may also see Shilajit in powder form, liquid form, tablets, or extracts. Each manufacturer produces their products in slightly different manners, creating different potencies in the resulting products. For example, some companies dry Shilajit resin into a Shilajit powder, sell the powders as one product, and then encapsulate powders to sell as a different option. Other companies may infuse Shilajit powders with Shilajit extracts to increase the potency of the final product or make up for any nutrient loss in the powdering process.
Furthermore, Shilajit capsules could be made from powdered Shilajit or from encapsulating the resin. Since Shilajit may differ in potency between vendors, this should be a factor when deciding between Shilajit resin vs powder vs capsules. Ready to try Shilajit and Ashwagandha together? Learn more here!
Choosing the Best Shilajit Form
While those curious bovids were simply following their instincts when they licked the tacky substance right off the rocks, we have the luxury of grit-free Shilajit forms. Because there are a variety of ways we can take Shilajit for our health, we can consider which forms are best for our lives, plop it in our virtual carts – and bing, bam, boom, they are shipped right to our doors! By comparing the different Shilajit product descriptions, we can decide if we want to use Shilajit in its natural, resinous form, dried and encapsulated form, or in a product like gummies infused with Shilajit extracts.
Consider these factors when choosing a Shilajit product for your health and wellness:
- Personal preference
- Sensitivity to bitter tastes
- Convenience
- Price & availability
- How the product is made
- Where the Shilajit is sourced
- Potency and purity (lab-tested)
The right form of Shilajit for you is often a subjective decision – whichever fits well into your overall lifestyle and is pleasant and convenient for you to use. Above all, regardless of the form of Shilajit you take, make sure the products are sourced, tested, and packaged according to cGMP methods. This ensures the products are safe for you to use.
Why Is Shilajit Good for Health?
The benefits of Shilajit are many. Some 5000 years of anecdotal evidence (goats included) and more and more scientific studies back the efficacy and usefulness of Shilajit. But how exactly, does Shilajit help our human bodies to flourish? Turns out that the goo is utterly packed with healthful nutrients. By packed, we mean over 85+ minerals, plus bioactive compounds such as Humic Acids, and a high concentration of Fulvic Acids. This wide variety of nutrients and minerals essential to our health makes oral Shilajit supplementation so popular. In the world of Ayurvedic medicine, there’s nothing else quite like the tar-like substance.
This unique makeup contributes to Shilajit’s potential health benefits for your whole body and mind! Interestingly, much of the wellness perks of consuming Shilajit are owed to natural, ecological processes. Shilajit’s formation is a subject of much speculation and scientific interest.
As plant material decomposes and lodges between rocks, it becomes trapped and over the years forms a sticky resin. This Shilajit resin captures a kaleidoscope of nutrients, minerals, and organic acid materials that contribute to our overall health. Some say the substance even contributes to improved cognition and memory. Scientists speculate as to exactly how this process occurs and what microorganisms, ecological, biological, or mineralogical sources contribute. Some researchers say the remnants of a prehistoric dinosaur Trogoupterus xanthotis contribute!
Shilajit resin has few adverse effects, which also makes it a popular choice among a variety of users. If you are concerned about adverse effects or any medical complications, it’s always a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider before taking a new herbal supplement.
Fulvic Acid
Many of the effects of Shilajit are thought to come from the high concentration of Humus organic materials, particularly Fulvic Acid, a very powerful antioxidant. The Fulvic Acid content provides antioxidative properties that help your body fight off free radicals, support cellular health, and improve collagen synthesis.
Furthermore, Shilajit with Fulvic Acid can help deter the build-up of certain protein variants (like Tau) which can diminish cognitive performance. By reducing oxidative stress and improving cellular mitochondrial function, you can experience improved vitality and energy production. Looking younger and feeling better sounds like a winning combo for any wellness seeker!
85+ Minerals
Because the decomposition of the contributing plant species leaves behind the nutrients they contained, Shilajit is packed with over 85+ minerals. Some of the macro essential minerals like Calcium, Chloride, Copper, Fluoride, Iron, and Magnesium help support healthy bones, muscle function, energy production and DNA repair, metabolism, and insulin function.
Trace elements sometimes hard to get in modern diets are also present. For example, Iodine is an essential trace mineral involved in thyroid function and hormones.
Do All Shilajit Forms Contain These Elements?
As long as the Shilajit is well-sourced and prepared, all forms will contain the nutrients, minerals, and Fulvic acid compounds that provide a wealth of benefits. Potency can be an issue if you are working with providers who cut corners or are not as dedicated to quality as they should be. Purchase Shilajit from a reputable source and potency and purity are easier to guarantee.
Potential Health Benefits of Shilajit
Due to the mix of antioxidants, immunosupportive compounds, and the myriad minerals in Shilajit, you can expect a wide array of health and wellness support.
- Energy production
- Vitality and stamina
- Muscle function
- Benefits for women’s health
- Cognitive function and mental clarity
- Immunity support
- Anti-aging
- Bone and joint health
Because there’s little difference in the components of your Shilajit – whether you choose to use the resin form of Shilajit or some other version – you can expect benefits. This means that the form of Shilajit has little to do with the outcome of benefits as long as you are buying pure and potent products.
The exception would be in dosing. For example, whereas resin is a little hard to get exact measurements, you could inadvertently take a higher or lower dose than usual, which affects the concentrations of nutrients you consume. You can, however, avoid this by taking Shilajit Capsules, which are pre-measured for you.
Himalayan Shilajit vs Other Types
Aside from Shilajit forms, there are also regional variations in Shilajit products. Check with the manufacturer of any Shilajit form you consider to see where they source their Shilajit resin. Shilajit can be collected in several different mountainous regions in the Himalayas, Russia, Afghanistan, and Chile. Each region produces its own “version” of the substance, resulting from the particular substrate, environmental factors, and the plant species that decompose in the area.
Because of its potency and the variety of species that go into Himalayan Shilajit, it is presumed to be the most potent and beneficial for human health. Contributing species for Himalayan Shilajit contain several different types of plants, including Euphorbia royleana, Trifolium repens, and multiple Bryophytes (moss species). These species absorb nutrients from the ecosystem, and as they die and decompose, contribute minerals, humus materials, and healthful acids like Fulvic Acid to the Shilajit. Shilajit, then, acts as a nutrient storage system, producing a thick, viscous nature-based “multivitamin” for your health!
Learn more about Himalayan Shilajit Resin.
Choosing Shilajit Resin vs Shilajit Capsules vs Shilajit Gummies
Shilajit has been used for many years as an Ayurvedic supplement to improve vitality, energy, bone health, cognitive health, and more. If you’re considering Shilajit resin or capsules, select the formula that best suits your preferences and lifestyle. For more information about Shilajit and other botanical solutions that offer a range of health benefits, follow our Guidebook.
Be sure to check out other award-winning plant-based products from Kats Botanicals like their Kratom products, CBD, Kava, and more!
