BestNutrient is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
If you are thinking about taking a shilajit resin supplement, you might agree with this statement:
With all of the brands on the market, it is difficult to know which are the best shilajit brands available if one is looking for the highest quality at a reasonable price.
Many people have heard about the supposedly magical properties of shilajit. Does the research behind it support it? Let’s find out! In the process of researching the best shilajit resins and brands, I documented these notes to help others as they consider trying out a shilajit resin. My hope is that you find this best shilajit brands guide of value, especially if you are looking to try shilajit resin or other forms in the near future.
Best Shilajit Supplements – 2021 Review Guide
Some of these shilajit supplements are a better value while others offer a laser focus on the purity of the underlying ingredient. That being said, these collagen supplements are all quite good and, in most cases, you won’t have any major issues if you try any of them out.
1. Authentic Shilajit – Editor’s Choice
Authentic Shilajit, produced by Lotus Blooming Herbs, is a high-quality shilajit option. The people behind Authentic Shilajit state that they personally travel to the source of Authentic Shilajit – the Himalayas above 16,000 feet in altitude – in an effort to cut out middlemen and bring the highest quality product to market directly from local villagers. Some might argue that the fact that the company behind Authentic Shilajit only makes a few products keeps them highly focused on the quality of the product when compared to brands that have a number of other supplement lines.
Authentic Shilajit is made using Tibetan protocols (technically known as the Surya technique) utilizing solar energy and water. In this process, which is repeated seven times and takes approximately one month, shilajit rocks are broken up and dissolved into water. The water is filtered and the shilajit is recovered by evaporating the water in sunlight.
Authentic Shilajit is shipped in BPA free plastic containers – reportedly because it makes removing the shilajit from the container easier given its stickiness. Authentic Shilajut is processed in a cGMP registered facility in California. According to the company, Authentic Shilajit is tested for heavy metals and conforms to California Prop 65 standards. Purified using filtered spring water before being tested, Authentic Shilajit resin supplements are not exposed to metal or solvents during processing.
Produced only in resin form (no capsule or powder version is available), Authentic Shilajit has all the appearances of this powerful mineral in its black and gooey form. Authentic Shilajit is a lovely black color and looks like and feels like a thick, sticky paste with a unique, but relatively mild, smell – almost like burnt electronics. This quality shilajit dissolves in warm water or under the tongue. It will dissolve in cold water but that takes more time. Authentic Shilajit resin can also be added to coffee although it may slightly impair its efficacy. Some might even find their need for a jolt of coffee in the morning subsides with use of this shilajit resin. The recommended dose is a pea-sized portion – equivalent to 100mg – up to three times a day on an empty stomach if possible.
Some might describe Authentic Shilajit as having a smoky or peaty taste although others would liken it to edible tar or a very bitter coffee. Most commonly, people report a stable, long-lasting energy boost throughout their day. People report feeling a strong sense of calm when using Authentic Shilajit. Some report an anti-inflammatory effect, reporting improvements in arthritic symptoms and chronic conditions like fibromyalgia. Others noticed improvements in their skin.
Authentic Shilajit, like many forms of shilajit, does not work for everyone. Given that you are paying a higher price for a higher quality product, it will taste a little more bitter if it does not provide you with any noticeable effects. Also, Authentic Shilajit may taste quite bitter to people with sensitive palates. Most people will want to be careful taking this shilajit resin late in the day as it may cause sleepless nights.
Summary Points
Authentic Shilajit is a high-quality, reasonably priced premium shilajit from the Himalayas processed using traditional Tibetan methods.
- Premium Himalayan which uses ancient processing techniques.
- Customer service is reportedly responsive and helpful.
- Bitter taste may be difficult for people with sensitive taste buds.
- Not cheap, especially if you are one of the people for whom it does not work.
2. PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit – Money-Back Guarantee
PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit is another premium shilajit resin that is for people who believe that quality shilajit can come from anywhere. Rather than being sourced exclusively from the Himalayas, PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit is harvested from worldwide sources. As one might expect from the name, PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit is a shilajit resin. PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit is processed in the United States in facilities certified by the FDA. This shilajit resin is independently tested for purity three times at special laboratories and is shipped in glass packaging.
PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit dissolves in water and the typical serving size is 1-2 pea-sized amounts per day. Most people will need to experiment with different doses to find the one that is best suited for their physiologies. Like most high-quality shilajit resins, it has the smell of a car tire and a tarry taste.
Users of PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit report higher levels of energy and less mental fog – sometimes within minutes of using it. Others report improvements in their gastrointestinal function, particularly in the setting of leaky gut syndrome. Some people with chronic arthritis symptoms noted that their overall inflammation seemed decreased.
There are some reports that PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit sticks to the lid on packaging. This problem will be alleviated by freezing the container. PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit, like other shilajit resin products, needs to be tightly covered or it can dry out. If it does dry out, adding ten drops of water to this resin shilajit supplement should alleviate the problem.
PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit offers a money-back guarantee. While other shilajit brands do reportedly have great customer service, PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit is one of the few that explicitly offer the guarantee.
Some will find fault in the fact that PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit is sourced from all over the world as opposed to traditional places like the Himalayas. Because there is no way to guarantee its purity, this makes it harder to ascertain the mineral content of this shilajit supplement. Also, some people may be concerned (which the company has specifically addressed publicly) about trace amounts aluminum that were identified during lab testing of this shilajit resin.
Summary Points
PürBlack Live Resin Shilajit is a quality shilajit resin with a money-back guarantee.
- High-quality shilajit resin with loyal users.
- Attentive customer support and money-back guarantee.
- Given the wide range of sources, some might question the purity of any given batch.
3. Pure Shilajit Siberian Mumijo – Good Value
Pure Authentic Shilajit Siberian Mumijo, sometimes known as Siberian Treasure, is another high-quality shilajit resin originating from Russia. Specifically, this shilajit supplement is harvested at 3,000+ feet of altitude from the Altai mountains – a relatively pure natural ecosystem in Siberia. “Mumijo” is roughly the Russian translation of shilajit.
This premium shilajit is reportedly 100% pure with no added preservatives. Pure Authentic Shilajit Siberian Mumijo is independently tested at Russian and US laboratories for heavy metals and reports are available from the company if desired.
Packaged in a clear glass jar, Pure Authentic Shilajit Siberian Mumijo comes in a resin form. Pure Authentic Shilajit Siberian Mumijo, like most other quality shilajit supplements, has a thick, tar-like texture although it is less viscous than its Himalayan cousins. Pure Authentic Shilajit Siberian Mumijo also dissolves in water and has a smoky, peaty taste. Users of Pure Authentic Shilajit Siberian Mumijo report stable energy boosts, less fatigue, and decreases in internal inflammation.
Unfortunately, the procedures used to get Pure Authentic Shilajit Siberian Mumijo from the mountain into the jar are not clear. While independent testing reports provide some comfort, it would be helpful to see more specifics from the company on how they purify their Pure Authentic Shilajit Siberian Mumijo resin. Because of this, it is harder to know how pure and authentic this shilajit resin is, even though the price is quite good.
Summary Points
Pure Authentic Shilajit Siberian Mumijo is a Siberian shilajit / mumijo resin popular with a number of users.
- Glass jar prevents leaching into shilajit.
- Good value for a shilajit resin.
- Unknown processing methods cause hesitation around purity.
4. Natural Shilajit – Great Customer Service
Natural Shilajit is another shilajit resin originating from the Altai mountains of Siberian. This shilajit resin is also processed using traditional Ayurvedic processes. After being washed several times and filtered, after which the shilajit rock is heated with sunlight. The heat enables separation of layers of pure shilajit which allows for extraction. Natural Shilajit is tested by FDA-registered, cGMP certified labs in the US and will usually last at least twelve months if properly cared for. Reportedly, Natural Shilajit contains 70+ fulvic and humic acids.
Natural Shilajit is thick and some might think the consistency is a little harder when compared to other shilajit brands. It tastes smoky – almost like tasting a fire. A pea-sized ball is usually all one needs to experience the benefits of Natural Shilajit. Users of Natural Shilajit report immediate boosts of energy and a sense of relaxation. Also, reports of better sleep, less inflammation, and decreased mental fog are common. Some people even report improvements in their skin. From reports, the company behind Natural Shilajit provides great customer service.
There have been reports that Natural Shilajit has had some product variability. Specifically, some users have reported that the containers they received were not full while others stated that their particular shilajit resin was extremely hard. Given the reports of the company’s excellent customer service, neither of these are make or break issues for anyone who is considering this shilajit resin brand.
Summary Points
Natural Shilajit is another high-quality Siberian shilajit resin backed by good customer service.
- Reasonably priced and excellent package design.
- Great customer service.
- Some historical product variability led to customer service issues.
5. Himalayan Healing Shilajit – Best Organic Shilajit
Himalayan Healing Shilajit is a premium shilajit that comes from the Gilgit Baltistan region of the Himalayas. Shipped from Pakistan, Himalayan Healing Shilajit is graded at gold and is 100% organic without any added fillers. Himalayan Healing Shilajit is made to order and undergoes extensive testing prior to being shipped and is free of heavy metals.
Himalayan Healing Shilajit is packaged in a glass jar and has a strong, earthy smell. To use Himalayan Healing Shilajit, simply put a grain of the compound under your tongue or mix it with water. Like most quality shilajit resins, this one has a bitter, ash-like taste but it is on the sweeter side.
Users of Himalayan Healing Shilajit report improved energy levels and a general sense of calm. Others report the standard anti-inflammatory effects that are present in high-quality shilajit brands. Some might also notice improvements in the dryness and the tightness of their skin while using Himalayan Healing Shilajit. Stronger nails might be another effect and, generally, people reported feeling like it was detoxifying their bodies.
The company behind Himalayan Healing Shilajit is also reportedly highly responsive to customer feedback.
There have been some complaints about the packaging that Himalayan Healing Shilajit comes in. In more detail, the Himalayan Healing Shilajit container can be quite difficult to open, requiring it to be run under hot water for 10-20 minutes.
Summary Points
Himalayan Healing Shilajit is an organic premium shilajit.
- Organic shilajit made to order.
- Highly responsive customer service.
- Packaging could use an upgrade.
6. Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit – Best Shilajit Packaging
Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit is another organic shilajit resin hailing from the Himalayas. Primarily sourced in Tibet, Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit is retrieved at altitudes above 16,000 feet. Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit describes itself as a tar rather than a resin an is typically packaged with 20 grams per jar.
Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit is processed using traditional Ayurvedic methods. Once processed, this shilajit resin undergoes third-party testing to ensure that it is free of heavy metals and, according to the company, their shilajit tar product has a fulvic acid concentration of almost 60%.
Like other shilajit resins, Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit can be mixed into warm liquids and sweetened with honey. Users of Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit report more stable energy, better sleep and decreased inflammation while using this shilajit tar. At an attractive price point, Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit is one to consider for anyone looking for an organic shilajit that offers a good value.
A nice feature of Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit is the packaging. Shilajit resins are often hard to handle and, with poorly designed packaging, it is inevitable that most people end up wasting some of their precious shilajit resin during use. Understanding this issue, Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit has packaged its Himalayan shilajit resin in an easy-access jar complete with a bamboo spoon that makes removing the shilajit supplement that much easier.
For whatever reason, Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit seemingly has a slightly stronger taste and smell than some of the other shilajit brands out there. This could be batch dependent and the taste and smell are somewhat minimized when this shilajit resin is mixed into a liquid. Also, it is difficult to find specific information on the exact purification method used on this shilajit resin. Despite these drawbacks, users of Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit have very positive things to say about their experiences with this shilajit supplement.
Summary Points
Dirobi Pure Himalayan Shilajit is another high-quality, organic shilajit made easier to use because of the excellent packaging.
- Easy to use packaging and bamboo spoon help minimize waste.
- Good value for organic shilajit resin.
- Need more clarity on how this shilajit is processed.
- Tastes and smells quite bad.
Shilajit Resin – A Magical Mineral?
While shilajit is an integral part of Ayurvedic medicine, widespread recognition of the value of this substance is only beginning. What is shilajit and why is everyone so excited about it?
Shilajit is a substance that primarily hails from the Himalayan mountains although it can sometimes be found in the Tibet, Caucasus and Altai mountains. So-called Andean shilajit has been found in Chile. Shilajit is thought to result from the compression of forests and vegetable matter of species such as Euphorbia royleana millions of years ago when mountain ranges formed.
The result of this process is the tarry shilajit substance with a unique mineral composition with origins in biological material.
Shilajit is a thick, usually dark, substance with a consistency similar to tar. In its pure form, shilajit contains a combination of minerals, fulvic and humic acids and other compounds. The word “shilajit” is actually an English version of a similarly pronounced Sanskrit word that means “mountain tar” when loosely translated. Shilajit is also known as mummyo which usually originates from Russia.
Shilajit was first hailed for its medicinal properties thousands of years ago. When mountains heat up from sunlight, shilajit is thought to liquify and bleed out of mountainous cracks almost as if it is the blood of the mountain. As such, harvesting shilajit requires the warm temperatures of the summer to create the right environment to find this valuable substance at high altitudes.
Shilajit is typically black or dark in color when it is purified and free of contaminants. At 20 degrees Celsius, shilajit is soft in texture like a paste. When held, shilajit resins should be malleable like silly putty and sticky. Shilajit does dissolve in warm water, forming a liquid with a reddish tinge. Authentic shilajit tastes bitter when consumed. When put in cold temperatures (e.g. in a refrigerator), shilajit has a hard rigidity similar to glass and will shatter like glass. Pure shilajit, when heated with high temperatures like that from a flame, will become ashy and bubble.
Shilajit, when available, can be consumed by putting a small amount under the tongue or with milk as it is done in India and Nepal. For an added boost, shilajit resins are sometimes also combined with honey or as an adjunct to ashwagandha with one of the best adrenal fatigue supplements.
Shilajit Supplement Grades
Shilajit is classified into four grades – gold, silver, copper and iron. The grade assigned to a particular shilajit resin or supplement is determined by the altitude at which the shilajit is found and the purification techniques used to isolate the shilajit resin. Because all shilajit is black in color when it is harvested, one cannot use the color alone to grade a shilajit product.
Gold, as many may suspect, is considered the highest grade of shilajit and is found in shilajit brands such as Lotus Blooming Herbs Authentic Shilajit and Himalayan Healing shilajit. Gold shilajit comes from areas 16,000 feet above sea level and, in Ayurvedic medicine, is considered to have the most powerful potency.
Shilajit Resin Supplements – How It Works
The biochemical ingredients of shilaji resins are what’s thought to give it its special effects. The central foundation of these effects likely comes from one of the main active ingredients in shilajit – fulvic acid. Fulvic acid makes up less than 10% of most types of shilajit supplements but has an important role in nutrient transport. In more detail, fulvic acid is able to bond with nutrients and minerals and, due to its bioavailability, can readily pass through cell membranes and bring the nutrients into cells. Fulvic acid is also a strong electrolyte that may help balance the pH within cells. Fulvic acid has also been studied in regards to brain health and Alzheimer’s disease. Additional benefits of fulvic acid may include gut health, antioxidant effects by containing free radicals, and energy production. Shilajit is one of the only sources of fulvic acid in nature and the foods we can eat.
According to Ayurvedic belief, shilajit has rasayana, or rejuvenation, characteristics. Shilajit is considered a great stimulant of intrinsic energy production in the body and may work synergistically with other herbs and substances like coenzyme Q10. Shilajit may also help with sexual function and libido, tissue regeneration, and mood balance. And, because of its antioxidant properties, shilajit may promote longevity and slow down the effects of aging. Being rich in organic acids, shilajit may also improve bone and muscle density. Small studies have also shown that shilajit may help improve sperm counts and testosterone levels.
Shilajit should not touch metal (e.g. using a spoon to dispense it) as metal may oxidize some of the minerals. Also, if heated to high temperatures, shilajit will likely lose some of its natural nutrients. While some people notice immediate effects after taking shilajit, it may take several weeks for other people to notice any effects.
Shilajit Powders & Tablets
Shilajit supplementation has traditionally been done through using shilajit resin. With growing interest in shilajit’s medicinal properties, more investment has gone into attempting to make shilajit supplements available in powder and tablet forms. What to make of them?
The jury is still out as to whether shilajit powders and tablets will ever be as effective as shilajit resin. On top of that, all forms of shilajit – particularly tablets and powders – have been infiltrated by counterfeit products claiming that they are pure shilajit when they contain fillers, binders, or even other ingredients such as the wax ozokerite. Counterfeit shilajit is a result of shilajit’s rarity and the price that high-grade shilajit resins command in the consumer market.
Shilajit Resin – Side Effects
Shilajit has been used for thousands of years and is considered to be safe as a supplement. The main side effects of pure shilajit are lightheadedness and weakness when it is taken in excessive amounts relative to one’s body. Unfortunately, due to growing interest in shilajit, the bigger risk are the impurities that might be found in lower quality shilajit capsule and resin supplements.
Best Shilajit Resins – Summary
Shilajit is an interesting substance with thousands of years of Ayurvedic tradition behind it. If you decide to give it a try, perhaps this article will have helped you with finding the best shilajit resin or other form for you. Please feel free to comment about any experiences that you have with shilajit and best of luck with your health.
Other Best Nutrient Articles
Best Coconut Oil
Best MCT Oil
Best Nootropic Supplements
Best Prenatal Vitamins
Best Probiotic Supplements