Latest brand reviews
We buy each product ourselves, request the lab certificate, taste-test the resin, and score against the same four axes: purity, potency, value, and transparency. Editorial verdicts are written before any affiliate CTA is placed.
Brand review
PurBlack Live Resin
8.4/ 10 · Altai-sourced · Third-party heavy-metal panel on file
A well-documented Altai-sourced live resin with a public COA and honest sourcing language. Best for readers who want lab-verified purity and are open to Altai instead of Himalayan origin.
| Brand | Sourcing | 3rd-party tested | Per-gram cost | Verdict | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PurBlack Live Resin | Altai (Siberia) | Yes, public COA | $1.80 | 8.4 / 10 | Review |
| Pure Aisha | Himalayan (Gilgit-Baltistan) | Yes, per-batch | $2.40 | 8.1 / 10 | Review |
| Altai Shilajit | Altai (Russia) | Yes, heavy-metal panel | $1.20 | 7.6 / 10 | Review |
| VitaCore Gummies | Blend, unspecified | Partial (heavy metal only) | $0.90 (equivalent) | 6.4 / 10 | Review |
Benefits by outcome
Energy and mitochondrial support
A small randomised trial in older adults reported improved subjective fatigue and physical performance after 8 weeks of purified shilajit at 500 mg per day [PubMed 22771318]. The mechanism is proposed to involve mitochondrial CoQ10 support; direct human confirmation is limited.
What is shilajit?
Shilajit is a mineral-rich exudate that seeps from rock crevices in high-altitude ranges, principally the Himalayas and the Altai. Traditional Ayurvedic materia medica describes it as a rasayana, a rejuvenating substance; modern analysis shows a matrix of fulvic and humic acids, dibenzo-alpha-pyrones, and trace minerals. Research on humans is early and mostly small; some claims have real evidence and others do not.
How to take shilajit resin
Standard dosing follows the protocols used in published trials: 250 mg to 500 mg per day of purified extract, taken with warm water on an empty stomach. Adjust to your own tolerance in the first week.
Step 01
Measure a rice-grain
Scoop a resin piece the size of a grain of rice, roughly 250 mg to 350 mg. A jeweller’s scale is the honest way to measure until you build muscle memory.
Step 02
Dissolve in warm water
Drop the piece into 150 ml of warm (not boiling) water or warm milk. Stir until the resin fully dissolves; the liquid turns dark tea colour.
Step 03
Monitor for a week
Take once daily for seven days at the lower end (250 mg). Watch for digestive upset, headache, or rash. Ramp to 500 mg only if the first week is uneventful.
Related studies
A short reading list from the primary literature. We evaluate research on the hierarchy peer-reviewed RCT > systematic review > cohort > case series > mechanism-only. Brand claims are never counted as sources.
- Pandit S et al. Clinical evaluation of purified shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia, 2016. N = 75. [PubMed 26395129]
- Keller JL et al. The effects of purified shilajit on skeletal muscle adaptations. J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2019. N = 63. [PubMed 30728074]
- Stohs SJ. Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo). Phytother Res, 2014. Narrative review. [PubMed 23733436]
- Carrasco-Gallardo C et al. Shilajit, a natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity. Int J Alzheimers Dis, 2012. Mechanism review. [PubMed 22482077]
Frequently asked questions
Is shilajit safe to take daily?
Purified shilajit at 250 mg to 500 mg per day appears well tolerated in published trials of up to 12 months in healthy adults. Unpurified product can contain heavy metals and should be avoided. See our safety monograph for contraindications, drug interactions, and adverse-event data.
How much shilajit should a first-time user take?
Start at 250 mg once daily for the first seven days, taken with warm water on an empty stomach. If no side effects appear, ramp to the trial-standard 500 mg per day. See the how-to guide for the full protocol.
Does shilajit actually raise testosterone?
One 90-day randomised trial in 60 middle-aged men reported a 20 percent rise in total testosterone at 500 mg twice daily [PubMed 26395129]. The sample is small, and the result may not extrapolate to younger men. Evidence grade: moderate.
Himalayan vs Altai: does the origin matter?
Both regions produce genuine shilajit. Himalayan resin carries a small price premium partly for tradition and partly for slightly higher fulvic acid concentrations in some samples. Altai resin from a reputable supplier is chemically comparable and often cheaper per gram. Read the buying guide for sourcing detail.
Who should not take shilajit?
Do not take shilajit if you are pregnant, have hemochromatosis, take lithium, or take blood thinners without medical advice. If you have kidney disease, gout, or a heavy-metal exposure history, discuss with your doctor first.
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