Shilajit is a mineral extract that is highly regarded in Ayurvedic Medicine as a tonic and sexual stimulant. Other cultures around the world make use of similar products that are also rich in humates. Recent research reveals that shilajit can increase sperm production and stimulate ovulation in lab studies. While some sources indicate that Shilajit is discussed and praised as one of the Aphrodisiacs of the Kama Sutra, I was unable to find any reference to it, and assume it is a myth. Shilajeet is discussed in several other historical treatises on Indian Medicine, and it does have some interesting properties in lab studies.

In a 2006 study on rats, shilajit increased the sperm count in the testes and epididymides. This was accompanied by an increase in seminiferous tubular cell layers within the tesiticles. In female rats, shilajit doubled the rate of ovulation. There were no obvious changes to the heart, spleen, liver, kidney, brain, testes and epididymides or other organs. (PMID:16698205)

In the Ayurvedic tradition of India, shilajit is considered a rasayana, or tonic. It is considered effective for a variety of conditions, including age-related senescence, healing from wounds, and metabolic support. It is considered anabolic and stimulating to the pancreas. Shilajit is sometimes called 'mineral pitch' and is usually gathered from cracks in the sides of mountains in the Himalaya region.

Two compounds in shilajit that have gotten the most attention from researchers include humic acid and fulvic acid. These are actually classes of chemicals rather than individual chemicals. Decaying organic matter, or humus, is rich in humic and fulvic acids (but too high in bacteria to consume).

In Russia, Poland, and Germany, people have been using humic acid products for centuries. In this region, the products are usually derrived from peat deposits.

Medical research on humic acid products has shown other interesting properties:

• An Increase in metabolism via stimulation of lipolysis (break-down of fats)
• Analgesic effects
• Modulation of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine
• Treatment of Von Wildebrand disease
• Stimulates TNF, INF, IL-2 components of the Immune System
• Radioprotection (protection against radiation)

I went to two Indian food stores in my city, and while they had a few Ayurvedic herbs, neither had shilajit. Shilajit is widely available in the internets tube;) one source is Amazon.com.

Toxicity: There is an obvious yuck factor associated with the idea of consuming bitumen or asphaltum, even though shilajit is quite different than the asphalt used to pave roads or cover a roof. Industrial asphalt is blacker and contains more hydrocarbons (including carcinogens) than shilajit or peat.

It's a fact that shilajit and related products are heterogenous - the ooze that is dug up in one place is probably different than the ooze dug up somewhere else. So it is difficult to say what they might contain in terms of potentially toxic metal, bacteria, or other chemicals. Most ayurvedic manufacturers process the raw material (boiling it in ghee or other substances is a common ayurvedic practice).

One study on the Polish Tolpa Peat Extract claimed that it was practically non-toxic in rats and rabbits. (PMID:8036923)

The fact that humates stimulate immune hormones like TNF, the interferons, and IL-2 make the substance of interest for wound healing (a traditional use). People with inflammatory diseases like psoriasis, or crohn's disease might want to avoid shilajit or peat extracts, as they already produce an excess of these hormones.

Humic substances also stimulate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. This suggests that it may be a problem for those that are sensitive to petroleum products (including many people with migraine or cluster headache). (PMID:16841312).

Although shilajit increases metabolism, humic acids can bind iodine. It does not appear that humic acids directly inhibit thyroid function, but if iodine levels are low, they can aggravate low-thyroid problems. (PMID:7699212)

Humic acid in the water supply has been identified as a risk factor for Kaschin-Beck disease, a relatively rare muscle disorder. Some researchers see Kaschin-Beck disease as a manifestation of low selenium levels, and it appears that humate products like shilajit might lower selenium levels. (PMID:3602982)

Synonyms for shilajit include: shilajiit, shilajita, shildata, salageet, Salhumin (Germany), Mumie and Sapropel (Russia), humate, oxihumate, Tolpa Peat Preparation and Tolpa Torf (Poland), Ozokerite.