The names at a glance
| Name | Tradition or region | Where you’ll see it |
|---|---|---|
| Shilajit / shilajatu | Sanskrit and Ayurveda | Most UK labels |
| Salajeet | South Asia | Some UK and South Asian labels |
| Mumijo, mumie, moomiyo | Russian and Central Asian[1] | European products, research papers |
| Moomiaii, mumnaei | Traditional Persian medicine[2] | Historical texts |
| Mineral pitch, mountain tar | Descriptive English terms | Marketing copy |
Same material, different traditions
Scientific reviews treat these names as referring to the same type of material: a resin formed from organic matter in mountain rock.[1] Differences between products come from where and how the material was collected and processed, not from the name. See why composition varies.
What a name on a label can and can’t tell you
- “Mumijo” isn’t a gradeIt usually signals a Central Asian or Altai source; see Himalayan vs Altai.
- “Salajeet” isn’t a different productIt’s a regional name for shilajit.
- “Mountain tar” isn’t petroleum tarThe phrase describes appearance, not chemistry.
Whatever the name, the evidence that matters is the batch laboratory report; see laboratory testing.
Using the names to find research
Studies use different names depending on where they were done. Persian-medicine research uses “moomiaii”, Russian and Central Asian research often uses “mumijo” or “mumie”, and many clinical trials use “shilajit”. Searching databases such as PubMed under all of them gives a more complete picture; see how we find research.
Names that hint at origin
Names often follow trade routes. Products labelled “mumijo” frequently come through Russian, Central Asian or European suppliers and are often described as Altai shilajit. Products labelled “salajeet” or “shilajit” are more often linked to the Himalayas or Pakistan. These are tendencies, not rules. Origin is established by documents, not by the word on the jar; see origin documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Is mumijo the same as shilajit?
Yes. Mumijo, mumie and moomiyo are names for shilajit used in Russian and Central Asian traditions.[1] Products sold as mumijo often come from the Altai mountains.
What does salajeet mean?
Salajeet is a South Asian name for shilajit. It refers to the same resin, not a different product.
What is moomiaii?
Moomiaii is the name used for shilajit in traditional Persian medicine, including in texts by Avicenna and Razi.[2]
Is mumijo better than shilajit?
No name is better than another. Quality depends on the specific batch, which is shown by its laboratory report.
Why is shilajit called mountain tar?
Because of how it looks: a dark, sticky material seeping from mountain rock. Chemically it is humic organic matter and minerals, not petroleum tar.[3]
What is shilajatu?
Shilajatu is a Sanskrit name for shilajit found in Ayurvedic literature. It refers to the same resin.
Is Altai mumijo the same as Himalayan shilajit?
Both are shilajit from different mountain ranges, so composition varies by source. See Himalayan vs Altai.
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.
- 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]
- 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]