SHILAJIT- Sacred Soma of the Alchemists
Ancient Sanskrit holy texts, over 3,000 years old, make reference to a mysterious substance called shilajit, which they describe as the "destroyer of weakness." The texts list its powerful
health and spiritual benefits and the positive changes that shilajit brought in the lives of those who used it. The sacred substance was prescribed for thousands of years for many different health problems and became a powerful tool in Ayurvedic medicine. There is some indication that
shilajit may have been the priceless soma of the Eastern alchemists.
The rediscovery of the power of shilajit is said to have been made by Himalayan villagers observing large white monkeys migrate to the mountains in the warm
summer months. The monkeys were seen to be chewing a semi-soft substance that flowed from between layers of rock. The villagers attributed the monkey’s
great strength, longevity and wisdom to the strange substance. They began to
consume it themselves and reported a broad spectrum of improvements in health. It seemed to
give them more energy, relieve digestive problems, Increase sex drive, improve memory and cognition, improve diabetes, reduce allergies, improve the quality and quantity of life and it
The ancient Vedic text Rig Veda states that soma has “mountains and stones for its body” and "dwells within the mountainous rock where it grows." Mountainous rocks are the "abode of soma,"
and it is "plucked from between the rocks by mountain dwellers and brought to the priests-alchemists who prepared the soma by washing and grinding and cooking." Soma was considered the elixir of immortality, the secret substance used by alchemists to perfect both body and mind.
Shilajit must be harvested from sacred cliff sides high in the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal. Millions of years ago, before the Himalayas were formed, a lush garden flourished in a vast fertile valley. The vegetation in that primeval
garden became trapped and preserved as the movement of the continents caused that valley to become the tallest mountain range in the world. Today,
millions of years later the monsoon rains and extreme freeze and thaw conditions work together to crack large rock formations, exposing the precious shilajit. Because of its ancient nature, the
vegetation was never exposed to any type of fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, or pollution. The native Nepali people collect and carry this gift of nature down the mountain, where it is
alchemically processed into a potent, high-quality extract.
This ancient wisdom was passed from generation to generation among the Indian and Nepali alchemists and holy
men, but it escaped the notice of the Western medical establishment until the last days of the twentieth century, when explorer John Anderson heard of the amazing benefits of
this substance and refused to give up the search until he found its source. He journeyed throughout India and Nepal
until he learned of the perilous harvesting the raw shilajit from the cliffs. He also documented the reams of Sanskrit studies
showing the rare plant's benefits. He spoke firsthand with more than fifty Indian and Nepalese researchers that have
been studying the wonderful effects of shilajit and perfecting
the processes for delivering the purest, most concentrated shilajit ever know to man.
Summary of Scientific Studies of Shilajit
Over sixty years of clinical research have shown that shilajit has positive effects on humans. It
increases longevity, improves memory and cognitive ability, reduces allergies and respiratory problems, reduces stress, and relieves digestive troubles. It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and
eliminates free radicals. The research proves that shilajit increases immunity, strength, and endurance, and lives up to its ancient reputation as the "destroyer of weakness."
Technically, shilajit is an exudate that is pressed out from layers of rock in the most sacred and
highest mountains in Nepal and other areas. It is composed of humus and organic plant material that has been compressed by layers of rock. Humus is formed when soil microorganisms decompose animal and plant material into elements usable by plants. Plants are the source of all
our food and humus is the source of plant food. Unlike other soil humus, shilajit humus consists of 60-80% organic mass.
About 200 million years ago, India was a large island off the Australian coast separated from the
Eurasian continent by the Tethys Sea. The Indian continent drifted north at a rate of about 9 meters a century. This movement lead to the eventual disappearance of the Tethys sea. Fifty
million years ago, the Indian continent collided with the Asian continent. This caused the sea bed of the Tethys sea to be pushed up and keep moving up to eventually form the Himalayan
mountains. The Himalayan mountains continue to rise more than 1 Centimeter a year. During this transition the mineral rich and fertile soil of the sea bed gave rise to a lush and dense tropical
jungle. As the ground continued to be pushed up to become mountains a lot of the plants became trapped by layers of rock and soil and remained preserved for thousands of years. These plants had never been exposed to any chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides. They are gradually
transformed into humus, a rich organic mass that is food for new plant life.
What are humic substances? They are the sum total of all once living organisms, mostly plants, disassembled by nature’s brilliant decomposition and recycling processes, then highly refined by
millions of species of beneficial soil-based microorganisms. Ultimately, microscopic plants such as yeast, algae, mold, fungi, etc., finish up the process. These tiny beneficial plants refine, purify,
combine, and re-refine, until tons of once-living matter are converted to pounds and ounces. Yet miraculously, when it is all said and done, the end product is not inert basic "dead" mineral
elements, but is transformed into the world’s most complex and ultra-compact molecules. Even the nucleic acids, RNA and DNA, of the earlier life-forms remains intact. The molecules are ultra-
condensed and highly functional, rolled up into tight little balls that are supercharged biochemical and phytochemical powerplants, similar to storage batteries or fuel cells. Where did this supercharged power come from? It is sunshine light energy captured during plant photosynthesis,
and through decomposition it is converted and stored within the interior of the world’s most refined and complex molecules.
Humic substances are considered nature's own best medicine for plants, animals, humans, and
the Earth itself. This lowly soil substance has the ability to clean up the Earth’s environment, neutralize radiation and deadly toxins, heal the agricultural lands, fuel the spark of life in living
organisms, disarm and kill infectious pathogens, destroy the deadliest viruses, prevent most, if not all diseases, and even cure and restore diseased and damaged tissues and organs in plants,
Buckminster Fuller, one of America’s best known thinkers of the twentieth century, helps us to understand plant energy accumulation from photosynthesis. Visualize if you will, a log burning in
the fireplace. When asked "what is fire" Buckminster explained, in a rather lengthy discourse, that fire is the Sun’s radiation unwinding, each growth-ring of the tree’s log representing a year. He
explained that many years of the Sun’s flame winding through the sky, absorbed by the tree through photosynthesis, is now unwinding in the burning log. With a log of firewood, lump of coal, oil, natural gas, or gasoline, all of which are remnants of once living plants, it is easy to see and
understand solar energy storage and release. With the humic substances, it is not so clear to see because they don’t readily burn.
Humic substances are found in rich humus soil in trace amounts. They are also found in massive ancient plant deposits, never truly fossilized, still remaining completely organic. What makes their
stored solar energy so different? The key is found in nature’s decomposition and refining process. The energy is converted into a different form. Coal, oil, tar, natural gas, and uranium deposits, all
are "dead" inorganic remnants of ancient plants. Uranium mines, just like coal mines and tar pits, also have fossilized trees, leaves, and dinosaur bones, all remnants of ancient life turned to rock.
Uranium ore is rock, and doesn’t burn, or does it? Ponder how a few pounds of seemingly inert
refined uranium ore has the power to fuel the reactor in a nuclear power plant, or become an atomic bomb. Where is all of that energy stored? The power is deep within complex molecules,
and is released through nuclear fission, the splitting of the atom’s nucleus. Could there be a similarity to the seemingly inert humic substances? Humic substances are not radioactive, but
quickly and effectively neutralize radiation. This is well established and extensively documented. Where does that nuclear energy go? Could it be that controlled nuclear fusion is taking place, the joining of atoms’ nuclei?
It is certain that a different form of equally intense latent solar light energy is found deep within the humic substance molecules. The many rare earth superconductor elements that humic substances contain may provide some clues. Humic substances have the amazing power to
molecularly bond with, and transform, other molecules and substances, liquefying them, making them smaller, more condensed, and energizing them. A tremendous, well controlled fusion or
With Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis, scientists can see and untangle complex organic molecules, categorizing similar portions of the highly complex molecules into functional
groups, which relate to more commonly known substances. This allows us to discover the many valuable components hidden in the complex humic molecular structures. The varieties of smaller,
more recognizable, molecules found within the highly complex humic molecules, read like the "who’s who" of the many pharmaceutical and nutritional breakthroughs of the last century. Many
of the substances are the current focus of the most promising ongoing medical and health research studies.
In a nutshell, humic substances consist of an immense arsenal and array of powerful
phytochemicals, biochemicals, supercharged antioxidants, free-radical scavengers, super oxide dismutases, nutrients, enzymes, hormones, amino acids, antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, etc. Many of the substances that make up humic matter have yet to be discovered and catalogued
among the known and documented organic chemicals.
Due to microbial action and the tremendous pressure from the weight of the Himalayan mountains, the ancient humus was transformed into a dense, viscous, mineral rich mass. This is
shilajit. The trapped layers of shilajit become exposed due to the freezing winters, hot summer sun and erosion from monsoon rains. Shilajit will “flow” out from between the cracks in the layers
of rock during the summer when the temperature of the mountains gets warm enough and the shilajit becomes less viscous. The native Nepali people them climb the mountains, repel down
cliffs to collect the magical substance.
The therapeutic actions of the raw material vary by the region it is harvested from. There are other substances that contain humic and fulvic acids, but true shilajit has a very important
therapeutic, bioactive ingredient that is not present in other "shilajit-like" substances. The authenticity and therapeutic quality of shilajit is identified by the inclusion of oxygenated di-benzo
alpha pyrones. While there are several areas from which the raw material is collected, the highest levels of therapeutic ingredients come from specific areas in the Himalayan mountains in Nepal at 10,000-12,000 feet above sea level. Historic records report that these “sacred” mountains
produce the best shilajit. The processing of the raw Shilajit is very important as it contains free radicals and may also contain mycotoxins and fungal toxins. The processing removes these free
radicals, polymeric quinone radicals, toxins, mycotoxins, and other inactive ingredients.
Uses of Shilajit
Shilajit is widely used for diabetes, genito-urinary diseases, gall stones, jaundice, enlarged
spleen, dyspepsia, worms, digestive troubles, piles, hysteria, insanity, nerve diseases, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, tuberculosis, leprosy, eczema, elephantaisis, anemia,
anorexia, bronchitis, asthma and fracture of bones.
Since it promotes expectoration, it makes it useful in respiratory illnesses. It may be used in acute and chronic bronchitis. The antispasmatic qualities brings it's effects with asthma, colic,
other intestinal complaints and menstrual difficulties. It addresses ascitis and edema with being a diuretic. The average dose is one 250 mg. tablet once a day. Some diseases may benefit from an increased dose, please ask the advice of your Ayurvedic physician if you have any questions
about dosage. You may wish to include Shilajeet along with your use of other herbs. In sexual weakness you may take Shilajeet along with Ashwagandha. For menorrhagia you may take it with
Amalaki. With painful micturition it would be helpful with Yashtimadhu (licorice). In mental disturbances you may want to also include Jatamansi. In diabetes it decreases the quantity of
sugar and urine. You may want to take it with other hypoglycemic herbs. Arthritis may receive results with an addition of Shilajeet to your other herbal therapies. Shilajeet may also be applied
externally as an antiseptic, parasiticidal, and anodyne. Shilajit is a natural antioxidant and rejuvenative for the nervous system. There are very few
herbs that are classified as a panacea but Shilajit is one of them. It will help carry the other herbal support into the deep tissues of the body. This is why is works so well on diabetes and
insulin resistance - because it carries the blood sugar into the resistant cells. In the same way it helps to rejuvenate the body and nervous system on a very deep level. It is not a stimulant to
make you feel more energy - it actually helps to rebuild the nervous system. General debility and fatigue is among the list of ailments which can be helped with Shilajeet. The overall action is alterative, tonic, slightly laxative, cholagogue, respiratory stimulant, disinfectant, expectorant, intestinal antiseptic, diuretic and lithotriptic. Traditionally considered a panacea and
a strong kidney tonic, shilajit increases the core energy responsible for your sexual and spiritual power, the same force that is withered by stress and anxiety.
Basic Properties : Shilajit is prescribed in genito-urinary diseases, diabetes, jaundice, gallstones,
enlarged spleen, digestive disorders, epilepsy, nervous disesases, elephantiasis, chronic bronchitis and anaemia. Shilajit is useful as aphrodisiac, rejunvenator, alterative tonic, respiratory,
stimulant, internal antiseptic, diuretic, lithontriptic, worms, piles, adiposity, renal and bladder stones, nervous diseases, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia, eczema, anorexia, fracture of bones.
Shilajit's overall action is slightly laxative, respiratory stimulant, disinfectant & expectorant,
intestinal antiseptic, diuretic. It has been said in ancient Ayurvedic texts like Charak, that there is hardly any curable disease which cannot be assisted with the aid of Shilajit. General debility and
fatigue is among the list of ailments which can be helped with Shilajit. Among shilajit's tonic benefits are: helps accelerate processes of protein and nuclei acid metabolism and stimulates energy providing reactions; counteracts Diabetes and regulates the blood sugar level; purifies blood, Improve functioning of pancreas and strengthen digestion;
reduces fat, Dissolves tumors, and counteracts thirst; promotes the movement of minerals, especially calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium into muscle tissue and bone; stimulates the
immune system and Improves restoration (recovery) after exercise; and increases levels of growth hormone in diabetic patients and is a potent anti-ulcer agent.
100% Pure Shilajit
Tones and rejuvenates the urinary tract andreproductive organs. Promotes vitality and strength. Bolsters the immune system. S
Ayurvedic Energetics:
Rasa (taste): bitter, salty, pungent, astringent Virya (action): heating Vipaka (post-digestive effect): pungent
Doshas (constitutions): Balancing for kapha, may aggravate pitta in excess
Herbal Actions: alterative, aphrodisiac, depurative, diuretic,
emmenagogue, lithotriptic, nervine, rejuvenative, stimulant, tonic, vasodilator Traditional Uses:
high cholesterol nocturnal emission sexual debility
Possible Contraindications:
Hypoglycemia; use with care during pregnancy
Suggested Use:
Take 1-2 tablets, once or twice daily, or as directed by your health
Commentary:
Ancient Sanskrit holy texts, over 3,000 years old, make reference to a
mysterious substance called shilajit, which they describe as the "destroyer of weakness." The texts list its powerful health and spiritual benefits and
the positive changes that shilajit brought in the lives of those who used it. The sacred substance was prescribed for thousands of years for many different health problems and became a powerful tool in Ayurvedic
medicine. In Ayurvedic alchemy, Shilajit is considered to be a rejuvenative and memory enhancer and pacifies all the
One tablet contains 300 mg extract of 100% pure, raw standardized Shilajit. Suggested initial use: Two tablets twice a day, with meals. 90
tablets. 300 mg. Item# 2101. $18.95. Available from the Crucible Catalog at www.Crucible.org.
It should be noted that statements and studies on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Use Schilajit as a nutrition supplement and determine its effectiveness yourself. More information on alchemy and oils can be found at these websites:
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