- Classical Ayurveda treats shilajit as a rasayana (rejuvenating preparation) and uses it in many formulations.[1]
- Medieval Persian physicians, including Avicenna, described it as “moomiaii”.[2]
- Scientific reviews in 2007 and 2011 summarised its chemistry and called for proper evaluation.[3][1]
- Human trials followed from 2010 onwards, and testing for contaminants now drives how serious brands present it.[4][5]
The classical period: Ayurveda and Siddha
Shilajit’s oldest documented role is in the traditional medicine of the Indian subcontinent. Ayurveda classifies it as a rasayana, a preparation used to support vitality rather than to treat one disease, and a 2011 review counted 20 classical formulations that include it, alongside 24 proprietary products.[1] Classical texts also describe how raw shilajit should be purified before use and sort it into four types named after metals; see the four classical types.[6]
Moomiaii in Persian medicine
Shilajit also has a long history further west. A 2018 review of major Persian medical texts, including Avicenna’s Canon of Medicine and Razi’s Continens, found it described under the names “moomiaii” and “mumnaei”, mainly as a remedy for digestive disorders and bone pain.[2] The name survives today in “mumijo”, the term used on many Russian, Central Asian and European labels; see other names for shilajit.
The scientific era: chemistry first
For most of its history, shilajit was described by tradition rather than analysis. That changed as researchers began characterising it as a mix of humic substances and plant and microbial metabolites formed in mountain rock.[3] A 2011 review in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology concluded that despite centuries of use, shilajit still lacked systematic scientific evaluation.[1] That judgement set the agenda for the human studies that followed.
The first human trials
| Year | Study focus | Design |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Sperm quality in 35 men with low sperm counts[4] | Before-and-after, no placebo |
| 2016 | Testosterone in healthy men aged 45–55[7] | Randomised, placebo-controlled |
| 2019 | Muscle strength retention[8] | Randomised, 8 weeks |
| 2022 | Bone density in postmenopausal women[9] | Randomised, 48 weeks |
| 2023 | Sexual function in women[10] | Randomised, triple-blind |
These studies are small, and most used one branded extract, so they mark the start of the evidence base rather than its conclusion. Ratings for every topic are on what the evidence shows.
Today: the testing era
Shilajit’s recent growth has been driven largely by social media.[11] At the same time, research has raised the bar on quality. A 2025 study measured thallium in commercial shilajit supplements, for example.[5] The result is that history is no longer the main selling point. Serious brands now lead with batch-specific laboratory reports, and the history of shilajit is entering a documentation phase. See laboratory testing.
What history can and can’t tell you
Centuries of use show that shilajit was valued and carefully prepared. They don’t establish dose, effect or safety for a modern product, which is why we keep traditional use and clinical evidence separate; see separating traditional use from clinical evidence and the “used for 3,000 years” claim.
Frequently asked questions
How old is the use of shilajit?
Shilajit has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic, Siddha and Persian medicine. Reviews describe its use as a rejuvenator over a very long period, but precise figures such as “3,000 years” are rarely backed by a dated source.[3]
Who first wrote about shilajit?
Classical Ayurvedic texts are among the oldest documented sources, and medieval Persian physicians such as Avicenna and Razi also described it, under the name moomiaii.[2]
When did scientists start studying shilajit?
Is mumijo the same as shilajit?
Yes. Mumijo, mumie and moomiyo are names for the same material used in Russian, Central Asian and Persian traditions.[12]
Does a long history prove shilajit works?
No. Traditional use shows that people valued it; whether it works is answered by controlled trials, which so far are few and small.
Where did shilajit traditionally come from?
Traditional accounts and modern reviews link shilajit mainly to the Himalayas and Hindu Kush, with mumijo traditions in Central Asia.[3] See where shilajit comes from.
Why has shilajit become popular recently?
Its recent growth has been driven largely by social media, particularly among younger buyers.[11]
Sources & further reading
Primary research, regulators and standards bodies are cited first. A source being listed here does not mean it supports every claim made by sellers; it supports the specific statement it is attached to.
- Wilson E, Rajamanickam GV, Dubey GP, et al.. Review on shilajit used in traditional Indian medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 136(1):1–9, 2011. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.04.033; PMID 21530631. View source (opens in a new tab) [Review]
- Shahriari M, Zare F, Nimrouzi M. The curative role of bitumen in traditional Persian medicine. Acta medico-historica Adriatica 16(2):283–292, 2018. doi:10.31952/amha.16.2.6. View source (opens in a new tab) [Historical review]
- Agarwal SP, et al.. Shilajit: a review. Phytotherapy Research 21(5):401–405, 2007. doi:10.1002/ptr.2100; PMID 17295385. View source (opens in a new tab) [Review]
- Biswas TK, Pandit S, Mondal S, et al.. Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia. Andrologia 42(1):48–56, 2010. PMID 20078516. View source (opens in a new tab) [Uncontrolled clinical study]
- Quantifying of thallium in Shilajit and its supplements to unveil the potential risk of consumption of this popular traditional medicine. BMC Chemistry 19:20, 2025. doi:10.1186/s13065-025-01384-7. View source (opens in a new tab) [Laboratory analysis]
- Quazi et al.. Shilajit review: "A powerful molecule of Ayurveda science". Pharmacognosy Research 15(3):455, 2023. View source (opens in a new tab) [Review]
- Pandit S, Biswas S, Jana U, De RK, Mukhopadhyay SC, Biswas TK. Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia 48(5):570–575, 2016. PMID 26395129. View source (opens in a new tab) [Randomised controlled trial]
- Keller JL, Housh TJ, Hill EC, Smith CM, Schmidt RJ, Johnson GO. The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 16:3, 2019. doi:10.1186/s12970-019-0270-2; PMID 30728074. View source (opens in a new tab) [Randomised controlled trial]
- 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: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine 105:154334, 2022. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154334; PMID 35933897. View source (opens in a new tab) [Randomised controlled trial]
- Mosavi et al.. Effects of oral Shilajit tablets on sexual function and sexual quality of life among reproductive-aged women: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial. Traditional Medicine Research 8(11):66, 2023. View source (opens in a new tab) [Randomised controlled trial]
- Mordor Intelligence. Shilajit market size and share analysis: growth trends and forecast (2026-2031). mordorintelligence.com, 2026. View source (opens in a new tab) [Commercial market research]
- Stohs SJ. Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo). Phytotherapy Research 28(4):475–479, 2014. PMID 23733436. View source (opens in a new tab) [Review]