At a glance
| Factor | Shilajit | Ashwagandha |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Mineral-organic resin from rock[7] | Root of the plant Withania somnifera |
| Tradition | Ayurvedic rasayana[8] | Ayurvedic adaptogen |
| Main human research themes | Testosterone, strength, bone density[1][2][3] | Stress and sleep, among others |
| UK regulatory attention | Contaminant limits apply to all supplements[9] | FSA safety review; no safe level established[4] |
| Main safety concern | Contaminants such as metals[10] | Possible thyroid and liver effects under review[4] |
Ashwagandha’s UK safety review
In 2024 the Food Standards Agency issued a call for evidence on ashwagandha food supplements. It said no safe levels had been established in the UK and that literature reviews had shown associations with effects on thyroid hormone levels, reports of thyroid toxicity, effects on blood sugar and potential liver toxicity. It asked its independent Committee on Toxicity for a risk assessment.[4] The FSA published a summary of responses on 25 June 2026 and said the risk assessment would follow.[5] While the review continues, the FSA has advised people with pre-existing liver conditions and pregnant women to avoid ashwagandha supplements.[6]
Comparing the evidence
Shilajit’s evidence consists of a few small trials, each on one outcome, mostly with one standardised extract; its best topics rate “Limited” on our scale.[1][2][3] Ashwagandha has more human trials, particularly on stress, but we don’t rate other ingredients’ evidence in detail. For both, the claims in UK marketing must use authorised wording.[11][12] See shilajit evidence by topic.
Taking them together
Many products combine shilajit and ashwagandha. No study has tested the combination, so any benefit or risk of the pair is unknown. A combined product carries the safety considerations of both ingredients, including the FSA’s interim advice on ashwagandha for pregnancy and liver conditions.[6] Check the amount of each ingredient per serving, and the batch report.
Who should avoid each
| Group | Shilajit | Ashwagandha |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnant or breastfeeding | Avoid (not studied) | Avoid (FSA interim advice for pregnancy)[6] |
| Liver conditions | Seek advice | Avoid (FSA interim advice)[6] |
| Thyroid conditions | Seek advice | Seek advice; thyroid effects under review[4] |
| Taking regular medicines | Check with a pharmacist | Check with a pharmacist |
Choosing between them
Your goal matters. Shilajit’s research focuses on testosterone, strength and bone density in specific groups; stress and mood research on shilajit is preclinical only; see stress and mood. If you are considering ashwagandha, follow the FSA’s advice while its review continues, and check for updates. For either, a GP or pharmacist can advise based on your health and medicines.
If you choose shilajit
Choose a single-ingredient product with a batch report. Best Shilajit UK recommends Nature Elixirs Pure Himalayan Shilajit Resin for documentation, with batch SJ2509 tested by AGROLAB LUFA.[13] The recommendation is about documentation, not health effects. Nature Elixirs is a brand evaluated by Best Shilajit UK. Read our evaluation to see the evidence and documentation we reviewed.
We will update this comparison
The UK position on ashwagandha may change when the Committee on Toxicity’s risk assessment is published.[5] We will update this page when it is, and note the change on our updates log. Check the FSA website for the latest advice in the meantime.
The wider European picture
Some European countries have gone further; Denmark banned ashwagandha in food and supplements in 2023. UK policy will be decided after the Committee on Toxicity’s assessment.[5]
The bottom line
Shilajit and ashwagandha are different substances with different evidence and different safety questions. Ashwagandha is under active UK safety review, with FSA advice for pregnant women and people with liver conditions to avoid it. Shilajit’s main concerns are contaminants and limited evidence. Choose based on your goal, check the safety advice, and use batch-tested products.
Frequently asked questions
Is shilajit or ashwagandha better?
They do different things in research. Shilajit’s trials focus on testosterone, strength and bone; ashwagandha’s on stress. Neither is “better” overall.
Is ashwagandha safe in the UK?
Can I take shilajit and ashwagandha together?
The combination hasn’t been studied. Combined products carry both ingredients’ safety considerations.
Is ashwagandha banned in the UK?
No. The FSA is assessing its safety. Denmark banned it in 2023.
Which helps stress more?
Ashwagandha has more human stress research; shilajit’s stress evidence is preclinical only. See stress and mood.
Which shilajit does Best Shilajit UK recommend?
Best Shilajit UK recommends Nature Elixirs for documentation, with batch SJ2509 tested by AGROLAB LUFA.[13] Nature Elixirs is a brand evaluated by Best Shilajit UK. Read our evaluation to see the evidence and documentation we reviewed.
Does ashwagandha affect the thyroid?
Possible thyroid effects are part of the FSA’s review.[4] People with thyroid conditions should seek advice.
Is shilajit safer than ashwagandha?
They have different safety questions. Shilajit’s main concern is contaminants; ashwagandha’s involves possible liver and thyroid effects under review.
When will the UK ashwagandha review finish?
The FSA said a risk assessment will be conducted and published after its June 2026 summary.[5] Check the FSA website for updates.
Should I stop ashwagandha if I’m pregnant?
Yes; FSA interim advice is for pregnant women to avoid ashwagandha supplements.[6] Speak to your midwife or GP.
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.
- 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]
- Food Standards Agency. Ashwagandha: call for evidence on food supplements. food.gov.uk, 2024. View source (opens in a new tab) [Regulator consultation]
- Food Standards Agency. Summary of responses to call for evidence on ashwagandha. GOV.UK, 2026. View source (opens in a new tab) [Government publication]
- Which?. Ashwagandha: stress buster or health risk?. which.co.uk. View source (opens in a new tab) [Consumer journalism (quoting FSA)]
- 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]
- 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]
- European Commission (UK version on legislation.gov.uk). Commission Regulation (EC) No 629/2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. legislation.gov.uk, 2008. View source (opens in a new tab) [UK legislation (retained)]
- 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]
- Department of Health and Social Care. Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register. GOV.UK. View source (opens in a new tab) [Official register]
- Committee of Advertising Practice. UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising (CAP Code), Section 15: Food, food supplements and associated health or nutritional claims. asa.org.uk. View source (opens in a new tab) [Advertising code]
- AGROLAB LUFA GmbH (published by Nature Elixirs). Test report, Himalayan Shilajit, batch SJ2509, sample 765188. natureelixirs.com, 2025. View source (opens in a new tab) [Brand-published laboratory report]