Shilajit UK Guide: How to Take It, How to Spot a Fake & 35 FAQs

Quick answer: Shilajit is a sticky, tar-like resin that seeps from rock layers in the Himalayas and other high mountain ranges. In Ayurveda it is a rasayana, a rejuvenating tonic traditionally used for energy and vitality. Most people take a pea-sized amount of resin (about 300–500 mg) or one to two capsules a day, dissolved in warm water or milk, following the label. In the UK shilajit is sold legally as a food supplement. Only buy purified, lab-tested shilajit, and avoid it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have iron overload.

What is shilajit?

Shilajit is a natural resin that oozes from cracks in mountain rock, mostly in summer when the rock warms. It forms over hundreds of years as plant material breaks down and is compressed between rock layers. Raw shilajit is dark brown to black, sticky and strong-smelling, so it is always purified before it is sold. The Sanskrit name is often translated as “conqueror of mountains”.

What is shilajit used for?

In Ayurveda, shilajit is classed as a rasayana, traditionally taken to support strength, stamina and vitality, by both men and women. Modern research is early but interesting. In a 2015 placebo-controlled study, 75 healthy men aged 45–55 took 250 mg of purified shilajit (PrimaVie) twice a day for 90 days; their total testosterone was about 20% higher than in the placebo group (Pandit et al., Andrologia). This was one small study of one specific extract. Shilajit has no authorised health claims in the UK, so no product can promise a specific health effect.

How do I take shilajit?

1. Check the label. It is the only reliable guide, because strength varies by brand and format.
2. Resin: take a pea-sized amount (roughly 300–500 mg) once a day using the spoon supplied, dissolved in a cup of warm (not boiling) water, warm milk or herbal tea.
3. Capsules or tablets: swallow the stated number with water, usually with breakfast.
4. Timing: take it in the morning or early afternoon; many people find it energising.
5. Start low: try half a dose for the first week to see how you feel.

Compare formats in detail in our guide Shilajit resin vs capsules vs gummies.

Our shilajit picks

Resin for the traditional ritual, or capsules for a measured dose. All are from established Indian Ayurvedic brands:

How can I tell if shilajit is real?

The only reliable proof is a laboratory certificate. At-home checks help you spot obvious fakes, but none of them proves purity:

• Texture: real resin is firm at room temperature and softens when warmed in your hand.
• Smell: earthy and smoky; a sweet or perfumed smell is a warning sign.
• Solubility: it dissolves in warm water but not in alcohol.
• Flame: it should not catch fire and burn like plastic.
• Price and seller: very cheap resin from anonymous marketplace sellers is a red flag.
• Lab report: ask for heavy-metal results (lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium) and fulvic acid content.

Is shilajit safe?

Purified shilajit from a reputable brand is generally well tolerated at label doses. The main risk is raw or poorly processed shilajit, which can contain heavy metals, fungi or other contaminants. UK food law sets maximum levels for contaminants in supplements, such as 3.0 mg/kg for lead. Read more in Is Ayurveda safe? Heavy-metal testing explained.

Avoid shilajit if you: are pregnant or breastfeeding; have haemochromatosis or iron overload; are under 18. Check with your GP or pharmacist first if you: take prescription medication, or have a heart, kidney or blood pressure condition.

Is shilajit legal in the UK?

Yes. Shilajit can be sold in the UK as a food supplement provided it is safe, correctly labelled and makes no medicinal claims. A European Commission consultation concluded that mumijo (shilajit) is not a novel food when used in food supplements.

Shilajit blends with ashwagandha and other herbs

Many Indian formulas combine shilajit with ashwagandha, gokshura or safed musli. If you prefer a single-herb product, check the ingredient list: “Gold” products are usually blends. Compare the two herbs in Shilajit vs ashwagandha, or see a full routine in our Men’s Strength Foundation Plan.

Frequently asked questions

What is shilajit?

Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin that seeps from rock layers in the Himalayas and other high mountains. It forms over centuries from compressed plant matter and is purified before use. In Ayurveda it is classed as a rasayana, or rejuvenating tonic.

What is shilajit good for?

Shilajit is traditionally used in Ayurveda for energy, stamina and vitality. Early research has looked at men’s hormone levels and at fulvic acid, but there are no authorised health claims for shilajit in the UK.

How much shilajit should I take a day?

Follow your product’s label. Most resin labels suggest 300–500 mg a day, about the size of a pea. Research has used 250 mg of purified extract twice a day.

How do I take shilajit resin?

Scoop a pea-sized amount with the spoon supplied and stir it into a cup of warm water, warm milk or herbal tea until it dissolves, then drink it.

When is the best time to take shilajit?

Most people take it in the morning or early afternoon. Many find it energising, so avoid taking it late in the evening.

Should I take shilajit on an empty stomach?

Many people take resin first thing in warm water. If it upsets your stomach, take it with or after breakfast instead.

Hot or cold water for shilajit?

Use warm water, milk or tea. Resin dissolves poorly in cold water, and boiling water is not needed.

How long does shilajit take to work?

The main study on shilajit ran for 90 days. Give it 8–12 weeks of daily use at the label dose before deciding whether it suits you.

Can I take shilajit every day?

Yes, most products are designed for daily use at the label dose. Some people take a break of a week or two every few months.

Can women take shilajit?

Yes. Shilajit is traditionally used by both men and women. Most modern research has been in men. Avoid it if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding.

Can I take shilajit and ashwagandha together?

Many Indian formulas combine them and many people take both. If you take any medication, check with your GP or pharmacist first.

Is shilajit resin better than capsules?

Neither is better for everyone. Resin is the traditional form and lets you see and smell the product. Capsules give an exact dose and are easier for travel.

Are shilajit gummies worth it?

Gummies usually contain much less shilajit per serving, plus sugar. They are convenient but not ideal as your main source.

How can I tell if shilajit is real?

Real resin is firm when cool, softens in your hand, smells earthy, dissolves in warm water but not alcohol, and does not burn. Only a lab certificate proves purity.

What should a shilajit lab report show?

Results for heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium) within UK limits, microbial testing, and the fulvic acid content.

Does shilajit contain heavy metals?

Raw shilajit can. That is why you should only buy purified shilajit from brands that test for lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium.

Is shilajit legal in the UK?

Yes. It can be sold as a food supplement if it is safe, correctly labelled and makes no medicinal claims.

Is shilajit safe?

Purified shilajit is generally well tolerated at label doses. Raw or untested shilajit carries a risk of contaminants. Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and if you have iron overload.

What are the side effects of shilajit?

Some people notice an upset stomach, a warm feeling or a headache, especially at higher doses. Stop if you feel unwell and speak to a pharmacist.

Who should not take shilajit?

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with haemochromatosis or iron overload, and under-18s. Anyone on medication or with a heart, kidney or blood pressure condition should ask their GP first.

Can I take shilajit with medication?

Ask your GP or pharmacist first, especially if you take medicines for blood pressure, diabetes or heart conditions.

Does shilajit expire?

Yes. Use it by the date on the pack, keep the jar tightly closed and store it away from heat and moisture.

How should I store shilajit resin?

In a cool, dry cupboard with the lid tightly closed. Resin hardens in the cold and softens in warmth; both are normal.

Why is my shilajit hard?

Real resin is firm at room temperature, especially in a cool UK kitchen. Warm the spoon or hold the jar in your hand for a minute to soften it.

What does shilajit taste like?

Strong, bitter, earthy and smoky. Mixing it into warm milk with a little honey makes it easier to drink. Or choose capsules.

Is shilajit vegan?

Pure shilajit is mineral and plant-derived, so it is usually suitable for vegans. Check that any capsule shells are vegetarian.

Is shilajit halal?

Shilajit itself is a mineral resin. Whether a product is halal depends on its other ingredients and capsule shell, so check the label or ask the brand.

What is fulvic acid?

Fulvic acid is a natural compound formed as plant matter breaks down. It is one of the main components of shilajit and is being studied for how it carries minerals.

What is “Shilajit Gold”?

“Gold” products are usually blends that add other herbs or minerals to shilajit. Check the ingredient list on the label for the full formula.

Why is some shilajit so cheap?

Collecting, purifying and testing shilajit costs money. Very cheap resin may be diluted, fake or untested.

Which shilajit brand is best?

It depends on the format you want. Kapiva and Upakarma offer resin; Himalaya, Kapiva, Dabur and Baidyanath offer capsules. Choose a brand that publishes testing information.

Can I take shilajit before the gym?

Some people take it in the morning on training days. There are no authorised claims for shilajit and exercise performance in the UK.

Can I drink alcohol with shilajit?

It is best to avoid alcohol around the time you take it. Shilajit also does not dissolve in alcohol.

Can I take shilajit with magnesium or vitamin D?

Many people do. Stay within the label dose of each product, and ask a pharmacist if you take any medication.

Where can I buy shilajit in the UK?

KantiGlow stocks shilajit resin and capsules from Kapiva, Upakarma, Himalaya, Dabur and Baidyanath, delivered across the UK.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. Food supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and should not replace a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking a supplement if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition. Last updated: 14 October 2026.