Shilajit and ashwagandha are two of Ayurveda’s most treasured herbs — and two of the fastest-growing supplements in the UK — but they are completely different substances with very different histories of traditional use. Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin collected from Himalayan rock; ashwagandha is the root of a small shrub. This guide explains what each one is, how they have traditionally been used in Ayurveda, the forms you can buy in the UK, and how to choose a genuine, lab-tested product.
A quick note on wording: you will often see these herbs described online as “adaptogens”. Under UK advertising rules that term is treated as a health claim, so throughout this guide we describe both herbs by their traditional role in Ayurveda rather than making claims about what they do.
What is shilajit?
Shilajit is a sticky, tar-like resin that seeps from rocks in high mountain ranges, most famously the Himalayas, and has been used in Ayurveda for centuries. It forms over a very long time from slowly decomposed plant matter and is rich in fulvic and humic substances along with trace minerals. In the Ayurvedic tradition it is classified as a rasayana — a rejuvenating herb — and has long been treasured in men’s wellbeing routines, though it is used by everyone. In the UK, shilajit has become one of the breakout Ayurvedic ingredients, with imports rising sharply over the past few years. Most buyers are looking specifically for purity and authenticity.
What is ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a small evergreen shrub whose root has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years, and is one of the most widely recognised Ayurvedic herbs in the UK today. The root is dried and either ground into a powder or standardised into an extract such as KSM-66. Like shilajit, it is classified in Ayurveda as a rasayana, and it has traditionally been taken during busy or demanding periods of life. Ashwagandha searches in the UK climb every January as people set new-year wellbeing intentions.
Shilajit vs ashwagandha: the key differences
The simplest way to tell them apart is that shilajit is a mineral resin and ashwagandha is a root. Here is how they compare at a glance:
| Shilajit | Ashwagandha | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Mineral-rich resin from mountain rock | Root of the Withania somnifera shrub |
| Botanical name | — (a natural exudate, not a single plant) | Withania somnifera |
| Ayurvedic classification | Rasayana (rejuvenating) | Rasayana (rejuvenating) |
| Traditionally associated with | Vitality and men’s wellbeing routines in Ayurveda | Demanding periods and daily balance in Ayurveda |
| Common UK forms | Resin, capsules, powder | Capsules, tablets, powder (often KSM-66) |
| Key quality markers | Fulvic acid content, heavy-metal testing, purity | Extract type (e.g. KSM-66), standardisation, purity |
How are they traditionally used in Ayurveda?
In Ayurveda, both herbs are classed as rasayana, a category of herbs traditionally used for rejuvenation. Shilajit has historically been associated with vitality and men’s wellbeing routines, while ashwagandha has traditionally been taken to support a sense of everyday balance during busy or demanding periods. These are descriptions of the herbs’ long-standing role in a traditional system of practice — not statements about what a supplement will do for you. You can explore each herb’s place in the tradition through our Energy & Vitality range, which features shilajit and other classic vitality herbs, and our Stress & Sleep range, which features ashwagandha alongside herbs traditionally taken as part of evening routines.
Which forms can you buy in the UK?
Shilajit is sold mainly as resin (the traditional format, dissolved in warm water or milk), capsules, and powder. Popular capsule options include Kapiva Shilajit Gold and Himalaya Shilajit Gold.
Ashwagandha is sold mainly as capsules and tablets — often made with a standardised extract such as KSM-66 — and as traditional powder (churna). See, for example, Baidyanath Ashwagandha capsules or Baidyanath Ashwagandhadi Churna powder.
How do you take shilajit and ashwagandha?
Always follow the directions on the pack, as strength and serving size vary between products. As a general guide, shilajit resin is typically taken as a small measured amount (often around the size of a grain of rice) dissolved in warm water or milk, while capsules and tablets are taken at the count stated on the label. Ashwagandha is most often taken as one to two capsules or tablets daily with water, or as a powder stirred into warm milk in the traditional way. Directions like these describe how a product is used — they are not promises of any particular result.
Can you take shilajit and ashwagandha together?
Many people are interested in taking the two herbs together, and in Ayurveda they have both long been part of rasayana traditions, so they are often thought of as complementary. Whether combining any two supplements is right for you is an individual matter, and it is sensible to keep your total intake within the directions on each pack. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication, or under medical supervision, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking either herb, on their own or together.
How to choose a quality shilajit or ashwagandha in the UK
Because both herbs are usually sourced from India and the market is crowded, quality and trust matter more than price. Look for lab testing (genuine products are tested batch-by-batch and screened for heavy metals — especially important for shilajit), a clear specification (botanical name, extract type such as KSM-66, amount per serving and count), authentic sourcing, and a real UK business that states clearly where it dispatches from for clearer accountability and faster delivery. At KantiGlow we source authentically from India, lab-test every batch for purity, and dispatch from India with UK delivery in 5–7 working days. Browse shilajit and vitality herbs or ashwagandha and calming herbs to compare specific products.
Sources
- Ministry of Ayush — Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, monographs “Ashwagandha” (root) and “Shilajatu”.
- Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana (rasayana chapters); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu.
- UK Food Standards Agency — food supplements guidance; Advertising Standards Authority — health claims rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between shilajit and ashwagandha?
Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin collected from mountain rock, while ashwagandha is the root of the Withania somnifera shrub. Both are classified as rejuvenating rasayana herbs in Ayurveda, but they are entirely different substances.
Can you take shilajit and ashwagandha together?
They are often thought of as complementary in Ayurveda’s rasayana traditions and are commonly taken together, keeping each within its pack directions. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision, check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Which is better, shilajit or ashwagandha?
Neither is better — they are different herbs with different traditional roles. Which suits you is a personal choice based on the form you prefer and how you like to take it. Many people explore both.
What form should I buy?
Shilajit comes as resin, capsules or powder; ashwagandha comes mainly as capsules, tablets or powder, often as a KSM-66 extract. Resin and powder are the traditional formats, while capsules and tablets are the most convenient.
How do I know a shilajit or ashwagandha product is genuine?
Look for batch lab-testing (including heavy-metal screening for shilajit), a clear specification of the botanical name and strength, transparent sourcing, and a UK-registered seller. KantiGlow lab-tests every batch and dispatches from India, with UK delivery in 5–7 working days.
Food supplement. Not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of reach of young children. Store in a cool, dry place. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, consult a healthcare professional before use.
Related guides
- Ashwagandha in the UK: KSM-66, Forms & How to Take
- Giloy (Guduchi): A UK Guide
- Kalonji (Black Seed): A UK Guide
- Methi (Fenugreek): A UK Guide
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Lab-tested, vegetarian, shipped from India. Food supplements should not replace a varied diet.
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