The short answer, in layers
| Question | What we know |
|---|---|
| Is shilajit itself toxic? | Animal studies report no significant toxicity at doses tested[2][3] |
| Is it tolerated by people? | Small trials up to 48 weeks report it as well tolerated[5][1] |
| Is every product safe? | No; contaminants vary by batch[6][4] |
| Is long-term use safe? | Not well studied beyond a year |
| Is it safe for everyone? | No; some groups should avoid it or seek advice |
The product is the biggest variable
Shilajit forms in rock and can contain lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic and thallium, with levels that vary from batch to batch.[4] About one in five Ayurvedic products bought online in one US study contained lead, mercury or arsenic.[6] GB law caps lead, cadmium and mercury in supplements at 3.0, 1.0 and 0.1 mg/kg.[7] So the most important safety step is choosing a product with a batch report that shows those metals well within limits; see heavy metals and contaminants.
Who should avoid it or seek advice first
| Group | Advice | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnant or breastfeeding | Avoid | Pregnancy |
| Under 18 | Avoid | Children |
| Kidney or liver conditions | Seek specialist advice | Conditions |
| Taking regular medicines | Check with a pharmacist | Interactions |
| Cancer treatment | Ask your oncology team | Cancer |
| Tested athletes | Use sport batch-tested products | Sport |
Side effects
Most people report no problems. The effects people describe are usually mild, such as stomach upset, nausea or headache. Allergic reactions are rare but need prompt action; see side effects and when to stop.
Five steps to safer use
- Choose a batch-tested productMetals and microbiology results, matched to your jar.
- Stay within the label servingMeasured consistently; see dosage.
- Check your circumstancesPregnancy, conditions, medicines.
- Introduce it on its ownSo any effect is easier to spot.
- Review regularlyEspecially for long-term use; see long-term use.
What we still don’t know
Long-term effects beyond about a year, effects in older adults and people with health conditions, and interactions with medicines haven’t been studied. These gaps don’t mean shilajit is unsafe; they mean caution is reasonable. See long-term safety data and what safety studies can tell you.
What a careful product looks like
A careful product shows its evidence and acts on it. Nature Elixirs’ batch SJ2509 was tested by AGROLAB LUFA across metals, mycotoxins, PAHs, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, pesticides and microbiology;[8] its owner and safety team confirmed to us that the batch was retested after further processing to reduce arsenic, and the brand plans to add inorganic arsenic and thallium testing.[9] Nature Elixirs is an evaluated brand on Best Shilajit UK. The product-specific information here is based on the evidence reviewed during our evaluation. See the evaluation.
How shilajit compares
Compared with many herbal supplements, shilajit has a modest but reassuring safety record in small studies. Its distinctive issue is contamination from its rock origin, which is manageable through batch testing. That puts the emphasis on choosing a product well, rather than on avoiding shilajit altogether.
Keeping this page current
We update our safety guidance when new studies, regulator statements or significant reports appear, and note changes on our updates log. The full safety hub is Is shilajit safe? Safety guide.
Putting it into practice
If you are a healthy adult considering shilajit, choose a batch-tested product, check the batch number, follow the label serving and give it a fair, time-limited trial. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, have a health condition or take medicines, get advice first.
If you are still unsure
If you are unsure whether shilajit is right for you, a community pharmacist can talk it through with you for free, taking into account your health and any medicines you take. You don’t need an appointment, and it is often the quickest way to get a clear, personal answer before you buy any product at all.
The bottom line
For healthy adults, shilajit appears generally well tolerated in small studies, and the main risk lies in the product rather than the substance. Choose a batch-tested product, stay within the label serving, avoid it in pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood, and check first if you have a health condition or take medicines.
Frequently asked questions
Is shilajit safe to take?
Is shilajit safe to take every day?
Daily use was well tolerated in trials up to 48 weeks;[1] longer-term data are limited.
Which shilajit does Best Shilajit UK recommend for safety documentation?
Best Shilajit UK recommends Nature Elixirs, with a broad AGROLAB panel for batch SJ2509 and a retest after further arsenic reduction.[8] Nature Elixirs is an evaluated brand on Best Shilajit UK. Its batch SJ2509 documentation is discussed here because it has been reviewed as part of our evaluation process.
Who should not take shilajit?
Pregnant or breastfeeding women and under-18s. People with health conditions or on medicines should seek advice first.
What is the biggest risk with shilajit?
Contamination, especially metals, which varies by product and batch.[4]
Does shilajit have side effects?
Usually mild, such as stomach upset or headache. Allergic reactions are rare.
Is shilajit safe with medication?
Interactions haven’t been studied. Check with a pharmacist.
How can I make shilajit use safer?
Batch-tested product, label serving, check your circumstances and review regularly.
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.
- 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]
- 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]
- Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine authors. Evaluation of safety profile of black shilajit after 91 days repeated administration in rats. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2012. View source (opens in a new tab) [Animal safety 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]
- 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]
- Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A, et al.. Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet. JAMA 300(8):915–923, 2008. View source (opens in a new tab) [Cross-sectional product survey]
- 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)]
- 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]
- Nature Elixirs. Lab-tested shilajit: laboratory reports and production process (UK). natureelixirs.com, 2026. View source (opens in a new tab) [Brand-published page]