What Is Shilajit? A Plain-English Guide
Shilajit is a dark, mineral-rich resin that seeps from rock in high mountain ranges. Here is what it is, what is in it and what research has actually looked at.
Last updated November 13, 2026
Where shilajit comes from
Shilajit forms over centuries as plant matter is compressed and broken down between layers of rock. In warm months it softens and seeps out of cracks in the stone as a sticky, tar-like substance. It is collected most famously in the Himalayas, and also in the Altai, the Caucasus and other high ranges.
It has been used in Ayurvedic tradition for a very long time. Raw material from the mountain is not what ends up in a supplement: it is purified first to remove rock, soil and other contaminants.
What is in it
Purified shilajit is mostly humic substances, and the one that gets the most attention is fulvic acid. Supplements are often standardized to a stated percentage of it, which is why you see numbers like “75% fulvic acid” on labels. Shilajit also carries dozens of minerals in trace amounts. For more on that, see what fulvic acid is.
What human studies have looked at
The human research on shilajit is still small. Two studies are cited most often. In 63 active men, eight weeks of purified shilajit at 500 mg a day helped retain maximal muscular strength after a fatiguing protocol (Keller et al., 2019).* A separate study took muscle biopsies before and after eight weeks and saw a group of collagen-related genes become more active (Das et al., 2016).*
Those studies used a purified, branded form at a specific dose. They tell you what that ingredient did in those people; they are not a promise about any particular product, and more research is needed.
The forms you can take it in
- Resin: the traditional form. A pea-sized amount dissolved in warm water. Strong earthy taste.
- Capsules and tablets: powdered extract, no taste, a fixed dose.
- Liquid drops: extract in a dropper bottle.
- Gummies: a fixed dose in a chewable with a flavor that covers the taste.
We make the last one. A serving of Alloza is 2 gummies with 400 mg of shilajit standardized to 75% fulvic acid, plus Ashwagandha, Manuka Honey, Rhodiola Rosea, Sea Moss, CoQ10 and Piperine. The comparison with resin is in gummies vs resin.
What to check before you buy any shilajit
- A stated amount of shilajit per serving, in milligrams.
- A stated fulvic acid percentage.
- A heavy metal test from an independent lab that you can actually read.
The last point matters most; heavy metals and lab testing explains why. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplement if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.
Keep reading
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This guide is general information, not medical advice. Studies cited here looked at individual ingredients, often in different forms and doses, and are not claims about this product.