The History of Shilajit: Millions of Years in the Making

In my blog post on how shilajit is created, I highlighted the dangers involved in collecting this substance. Naturally, this leads to the question, “Why go to all this trouble?” The answer lies in the positive effects the substance has on its users. Furthermore, as I will reveal below, shilajit isn’t a modern marvel; far from it, in fact! Indeed, its history stretches back thousands of years.

This mineral-rich resin, found in mountain ranges such as the Himalayas, is known for its dense nutrient profile, including fulvic acid and 80+ trace minerals. The fulvic acid helps transport the 85+ nutrients, and the humic acid enables those nutrients to become very bioavailable for our bodies, ensuring that it’s an efficient and complete process with no wasted nutrients.

This is one of the many reasons why it became a staple of Ayurvedic medicine, where it was revered in sacred texts. It’s also part of why shilajit was honoured by a host of cultures. Read on to discover a condensed history of shilajit!

Shilajit’s Ancient Beginnings

Shilajit is found in the rocks of mountains, perhaps most famously in the Himalayan range. It’s formed over millions of years from the decomposition of animal and plant matter. This organic matter gets compressed between rock layers, and eventually, over a very long period, with the aid of pressure and heat, it gets transformed into shilajit.

According to legend, Langur monkeys brought shilajit to the attention of Himalayan villagers thousands of years ago. These people witnessed the monkeys making regular trips up the mountains to pry the cracks for a substance that resembled black tar.

Naturally, the villagers were curious to know why the monkeys were so keen to climb to altitudes of over 10,000 feet to find this mysterious substance. Soon, the people discovered for themselves what shilajit was all about. There’s a reason why it was referred to as “the Conqueror of Mountains” and “The Destroyer of Weakness!”

Historical texts and oral traditions suggest that people have used shilajit for at least 5,000 years. Not many people know that it was the main constituent used in the mummification of bodies in ancient Egypt, for example!

According to ancient Ayurvedic texts, shilajit was deemed a “Rasayana.” This means it was considered a substance that restored balance and promoted longevity. Ayurvedic practitioners suggested using it for a variety of reasons, including to help with cognitive function, boost energy, and increase physical strength.

Shilajit was also mentioned in Tibetan medicine and made appearances in ancient Siberian and Persian cultures. Both warriors and royalty held shilajit in high regard, believing the substance gave them resilience and strength.

Shilajit’s Slow Spread

Eventually, it was traded on the famous Silk Road, which was ‘open’ from the second century BCE until the middle of the 1400s CE. However, even though trade and exploration flourished during the Middle Ages, shilajit’s usage remained confined to specific regions such as India, the Persian Empire, and Tibet.

One reason for this was the difficulties in collecting and extracting the substance. After all, it is only available in mountainous terrain. Another reason was that the substance retained a significant degree of mystique. Only Ayurvedic practitioners, shamans, and certain herbalists had the knowledge needed to identify and purify shilajit and prepare it for medicinal purposes.

Western empires expanded, and explorers brought back rare herbs, spices, and minerals. Yet, shilajit failed to make the leap as it only reached the “West” in very limited amounts. While stories of its uses appeared in travel diaries, it was seldom used or analysed outside of Asia.

Discovery by the West: A Delayed Renaissance

The West didn’t really know much about shilajit until the early 1900s, when Russian scientists brought it over. However, products such as shilajit and other ingredients used in folk medicine were overshadowed by pharmaceutical companies during this era. This relatively new industry prioritized certain drugs and remedies from the East were often dismissed as folk medicine. Consequently, shilajit continued to remain unknown until relatively recently.

Finally, though, some pharmaceutical companies and health organisations started to show an interest in shilajit’s mineral composition and its potential to address certain issues. Yet, even at that point, the supply of shilajit remained limited, and it failed to enter the mainstream.

It was only in the 1970s and 1980s, when “natural” remedies gained popularity,09 that renewed interest in shilajit emerged. By now, there was a growing belief that some pharmaceutical companies deliberately withheld information on shilajit’s benefits due to their fear of it competing with synthetic products.

The rise of holistic wellness means that shilajit is now making a big impact on the market. Certainly, the emergence of research that highlights its promising effects on the human body has helped.

Shilajit Is Part of a Global Revival of Ancient Wisdom

Today, shilajit is regarded by a growing number of people as one of the best natural products for improved vitality and wellbeing. Its benefits are becoming recognised across the health and wellness world, and products such as our shilajit gummies are flying off the shelves!

Ultimately, shilajit’s journey from an ancient remedy to a global wellness trend highlights its resilience and timeless value. Furthermore, one feels as if we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg as research into the benefits of shilajit continues.