Dr Seeta's 5 Reasons Why Shilajit Should be a Part of Your Daily Routine
By Doctor Seeta Shah BSc (Hons), MBChB
As a medical doctor working in the NHS, I am continuously seeing people who have chronic illnesses and diseases, which just did not exist a hundred years ago. We are all living more stressful lives and with that comes increased fatigue, not looking after our bodies in the way we should be and unfortunately accepting the fact that they have to live with these chronic conditions and constantly feeling fatigued.
I am however, also seeing a shift in the way that a lot of people think, in the sense that they are wanting to step away from conventional medicines and look for alternatives which give the same positive effects but with far fewer side effects. There is also a general trend of people wanting to shift to more sustainable methods and products which are being naturally sourced. This is where Shilajit comes into play.
So, firstly let us talk about what Shilajit is. It is known as ‘the destroyer of weakness’ and is also referred to as ‘mumijo’. It is a blackish-brown powder or an exudate from high mountain rocks, often found in the Himalayas, however can also be found in various other mountain ranges. Most current theories state that it could have been produced from plants that were trapped in the rocks when the Himalayas were being formed 55 million years ago. It is a highly viscous substance like a tar or resin. However, unlike the former, it is readily soluble in water. Shilajit is composed of 60% to 80% humic substances such as humic and fulvic acids.
So why exactly should Shilajit be a part of your daily routine?
1. Ayurvedic Medicine (the oldest medical practice on Earth)
Shilajit has been used in India for thousands of years until the present day for its medicinal purposes as part of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda focuses on finding and restoring imbalances within the body which are defined by balancing three centres of energy. and preventative measures, mostly through diet and lifestyle. Recently, Ayurvedic techniques and practices are being discovered and adopted outside of India, along with the herbs, plants and roots commonly used. Shilajit has been an ingredient used only in remote corners of the world previously, but as the ancient Ayurvedic knowledge spreads across the world, many have started to reap the rewards of shilajit too. It has been shown to have many beneficial properties such as helping with infertility, arthritis, diabetes, depression etc. It is common knowledge that ancient methods do work and this is the same when it comes to using Shiljait!
*for more info on how you can relate to the principles of Ayurveda and how to balance your mind and body, please see our previous posts on the 'Doshas' and 'Gunas'.
2. Contains High Levels of Fulvic Acid
Shilajit contains a high amount of fulvic acid. This is a strong antioxidant and is thought to have the following effects on the body;
Helps to combat fatigue as well as help to maintain muscular strength and acts as an anti-ageing property.
Asthma, allergies, and eczema, along with many other disorders, can be associated with overactive immune cells. In these cases, anti-inflammatory drugs are critical for reducing symptoms. Several studies indicate that fulvic acid can act as an anti-inflammatory by reducing the release of pro-inflammatory mediators from cells. Through its anti-inflammatory properties, some research shows it can also potentially improve Alzheimer’s symptoms by seizing the build-up of tau protein, which in normal quantities are an important part of your nervous system, however a build-up can trigger brain cell damage.