Shilajit  ‘Destroyer of Weakness’

By Zelaine Estacio-Odle

Ancient Origins of Shilajit

Shilajit has been used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine as a 5000-year-old method in the prevention and treatment of diseases practised initially in both India and Asia and is still used today. It is a black tar-like substance capable of rejuvenating your whole body because of its high fulvic acid content. Fulvic acid is one of the components that make up humus, an organic compound found in soil, rocks and water. Folic acid is made from the excretion of decomposed plants and animals by the microorganisms that feed off of them. We’ve come to understand that folic acid from the soil improves the gut, which results in an improved immune function—what a fantastic consequence for our Pitch Black activated charcoal toothpaste.

Soil, Nutrition, and the Organic Connection

Now I’m not saying that the next time you go for a stroll, you should dig up the dirt and eat it, but think about where our fruits and veg come from and understand why organic is always a better form of nutrition when you can afford it. And what’s up with that? – why is organic more expensive than the GMO, highly toxic sprayed alternative when organic produce has had nothing added to it? But that’s for another article, I’ve strayed.

What Is Shilajit? Its Names and Global Reputation

Back to Shilajit and it’s incredible benefits. Let me list them so you get a better understanding of why scientific evidence is growing from this beneficial substance and is our driving ingredient behind our toothpaste. Shilajit a.k.a. mineral pitch, mineral wax, black asphultum, asphaltum punjabranum, shargai, dorobi, barashin, mumlai, brag zhun, chao-tong, wu ling zhi, baad-a-ghee, arkhar-tash and mumiyo or mumijo, mumio, momma and moomiyo. The list of alternative names reads like a rap sheet of aliases. Dubbed the ‘Destroyer of Weakness’! It is nature’s most wanted in terms of both beneficial and nutritional health. In its pure form, Shilajit contains 85 different minerals and vitamins but the continent of its extraction does determine the levels of vitamins and minerals within the compound.

Brain Health and GABA Function

In terms of brain health, studies have shown how Shilajit has targeted neuroprotective qualities beneficial to brain cells. Researchers found that it can adjust our GABA levels and act as an anti-epileptic and antipsychotic (1). If identified early, it can be added to a treatment protocol for people living with Alzheimer’s (2). Isn’t this a more refreshing and more welcome comparison to the neuro disruptive fluoride found in regular toothpaste?

Energy, Mitochondria, and Chronic Fatigue

Shilajit increases the function of our mitochondria, our bodies’ powerhouse, turning our oxygen and nutrients into ATP – the stuff that powers the cells in our bodies to function. This mineral enhances our performance by increasing our energy and stamina. There is evidence showing improvement of chronic fatigue because of the way Shilajit improves the function of the mitochondria (3).

Hormonal Balance for Men and Women

Now that we know Shilajit can affect our bodies systems, let’s take a glance at how it can balance our hormones. Men will be pleased to hear that supplementing with Shilajit can increase their blood testosterone and encourage sperm production (4). But ladies have no fear when seeing testosterone in this article because Shilajit is classified as an adaptogen so what works for men also works for women and it does this by strengthening the uterus, improving overall ovary function and balancing hormones (5). Again having this in our toothpaste as to the hormone-disruptive fluoride is another incredible feature.

Blood Sugar, Lipids, and Inflammation

The great thing about adaptogens is their intelligent function to bring balance where it’s needed, and this is the case in blood glucose and lipid profiles of diabetic patients on diabetes medication (6). And in the process, it can repair a damaged pancreas caused by diabetes. A common theme to the properties of adaptogens is their ability to fight inflammation, Shilajit is no different.

Antiviral Benefits and Immune Support

Amongst its superpowers also, is the function to counteract viruses, this is shown in a study against herpes-related viruses and HRSV, a virus that causes respiratory tract infections, particularly in children (7). Imagine the human body as a host to hundreds of thousands of dormant viruses, how amazing is it to have an everyday product like our Pitch Black activated charcoal toothpaste to prevent and reduce repetitive infections.

Cancer Support and Radiation Protection

Case studies have shown that even the presence of metals found in the Shilajit are toxic to certain types of cancer such as liver, lungs, breast and ovarian. Not only that, but it can protect the body from radiation damage from cancer treatments (8). The levels of heavy metal found in Shilajit are very minimal and below the levels that warrant any significant toxicity and that’s because we obtain ours from ethically harvested and Lab tested quality sources, guaranteeing low levels making it suitable for daily use and don’t forget that Shilajit protects brain cells and balance hormones.

Natural Pain Relief and Gum Health

To those of you who prefer to try natural remedies for pain relief, here is an interesting fact. The way that Shilajit interacts with our GABA levels in our brains, affectively behaves as a sedating agent for orofacial pain (9). That’s good news for gums and teeth. With regards to serious pain relief, Shilajit works alongside morphine by reducing the amount of morphine needed as well as minimise intolerance buildup (10).

Bones, Heart Health, and Iron

Shilajit’s natural ability to protect and regenerate our skeletal system, can slow down the process of osteoporosis. It is rich in iron and serves anaemia suffers well. In certain doses, this incredible antioxidant can regulate the heart rate and protect it from a drug-induced injury (11).

Final Note: Responsibility and Balance

With all things I’ve come across, I always like to remind people to do their own research and get advice from their doctor if they have serious health concerns major health concerns. Information provided and the products I recommend come from laboured up-to-date research at the time of publication and are not created to cure or diagnose. Take responsibility of your own health and live a balanced life, because it’s the only one you have and you deserve to enjoy it.

With gratitude, continue to be curious and holistic.

References:

1. Shilajit and Brain Health – Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease

Read study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26865744/

2. Potential Cognitive Benefits of Shilajit – International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease

Read study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296184/

3. Shilajit and Chronic Fatigue Recovery – Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Read study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21963479/

4. Shilajit’s Effects on Testosterone Levels – Andrologia

Read study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26395129/

5. Female Reproductive Health and Shilajit – International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Read study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16698205/

6. Blood Sugar Balance with Shilajit – Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine

Read study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6428861/

7. Shilajit’s Anti-Inflammatory and Antiviral Properties – Phytotherapy Research

Read study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20633179/

8. Shilajit and Cancer Cell Activity – Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Read study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21884706/

9. Natural Pain Relief with Shilajit (GABA Pathways) – Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences

Read study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5935320/

10. Shilajit Enhances Morphine Effectiveness – Phytomedicine

Read study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19303215/

11. Heart-Protective and Anaemia Supportive Properties of Shilajit – Phytotherapy Research

Read study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16835865/