How to Identify High - Quality Shilajit and Avoid Counterfeits

Shilajit is one of the most treasured substances in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, renowned for its rejuvenating and health-promoting properties. However, due to its rarity and the complexities involved in sourcing and processing it, Shilajit is frequently counterfeited or diluted with harmful fillers. Here’s how to distinguish authentic, high-quality Shilajit from substandard or fake products and what to look for when choosing a trusted supplier.

Characteristics of Authentic Shilajit

1. Sourcing and Harvesting: Real Shilajit is harvested by experienced locals who climb into the high altitudes (over 17,000 ft) of the Himalayas, the Altai Mountains, or other remote regions. The substance is painstakingly chipped off rock surfaces where it forms through thousands of years of geological and microbial processes. This labor-intensive process makes genuine Shilajit expensive, as it requires significant effort and time.

Geological Origin and Varieties

• Himalayan Shilajit: Regarded as the purest and most potent, sourced from India and Pakistan. Known for its high concentration of fulvic acid and other bioactive compounds.
• Altai Shilajit: Harvested in the Altai Mountains, spanning Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China. This variety has a distinct composition and is also considered high quality.
• Shilajit can also be found in regions like Russia, Tibet, Afghanistan, and Chile, known as Andean Shilajit. However, any product claiming to be sourced from the USA is undoubtedly false, as Shilajit does not occur naturally in North America.

Why Authentic Shilajit Is Expensive

The high price of genuine Shilajit reflects the significant resources needed to harvest, purify, standardize, and package it for sale. After harvesting, Shilajit must be rigorously purified to remove impurities such as heavy metals and microbial contaminants. Reputable suppliers, like Zenbioni, use advanced purification techniques and adhere to strict quality standards, such as USP 232 (a standard for drugs and medical products), to ensure product safety.

Moreover, additional costs include standardization (to ensure a consistent percentage of fulvic acid), packaging, shipping, marketing, and customer support. Any product sold at a suspiciously low price is likely a fake or of inferior quality.

Common Deceptions and Quality Issues

1. Fake or Low-Grade Shilajit: Some companies falsely claim their Shilajit is of the highest grade or use fillers to dilute the product. Others may produce Shilajit by processing humus soil and then burning it, resulting in a substance that smells of burnt material. Such imitations may contain synthetic fulvic acid, which is often derived from fertilizers.
2. Misleading Fulvic Acid Content: Some manufacturers falsely inflate the fulvic acid content of their Shilajit products by adding synthetic fulvic acid. This practice not only reduces the efficacy of the supplement but may also pose health risks. Be wary of any product with unnaturally high fulvic acid percentages. In some cases, the sample sent for laboratory testing is different from the product in the jar. Often, the tested samples are extremely thick, dried-out forms of Shilajit that have been dehydrated to increase the apparent fulvic acid content, making them unfit for regular consumption. Furthermore, manufacturers may list the combined total of all humic substances, which typically range from 60% to 80%. Fulvic acid is the largest component but generally does not make up 60% to 80% of the product. According to sources like HealthLine and PubMed, typical fulvic acid content is around 20%, and this lower percentage does not necessarily indicate poor quality — though it also may not represent the highest quality.
3. Consistency and Texture: Low-quality Shilajit may be overly liquid, indicating that it has been diluted to increase profit margins. While this does not necessarily mean the product is fake, a larger dose would be needed to achieve the desired effects. Conversely, Shilajit that is too thick and hard to scoop can be difficult to dose and may dry out over time. Although this form may contain the highest concentration of fulvic acid, it often has lower bioavailability and a higher risk of side effects, especially if consumed raw.

Testing Shilajit at Home

Here are simple tests you can perform to check the authenticity of Shilajit:

1. Temperature Sensitivity: Genuine Shilajit becomes hard and brittle in cold temperatures and soft and sticky in warmer conditions. The higher the temperature, the more liquid Shilajit becomes, and the lower the temperature, the harder it gets.
2. Water Solubility: Authentic Shilajit should dissolve completely in warm water, leaving no residue or sediment. If you notice any powdery residue, the product may be contaminated or contain additives. Slow dissolution is another red flag indicating a possible fake.
3. Insolubility in Alcohol: Pure Shilajit does not dissolve in alcohol. To test this, use pure ethanol or isopropyl alcohol with an alcohol content of over 97%. Place a small amount of Shilajit in the alcohol; it should not dissolve at all. If it does, the product is likely fake.
4. Non-Flammability: Real Shilajit does not catch fire or burn like a candle. When exposed to an open flame, it should bubble and char but not ignite or produce a flame. If it burns, it’s not authentic Shilajit.

How to Ensure You Are Buying Genuine Shilajit

1. Check for Laboratory Testing: Trustworthy brands should provide lab reports showing the absence of heavy metals and contaminants, ideally tested to USP 232 standards. These reports should be readily accessible to consumers.
2. Verify the Source: Reputable brands are transparent about where their Shilajit is sourced. Claims of “USA-made” Shilajit are false and should be a red flag.
3. Assess the Consistency: High-quality Shilajit should be of balanced viscosity — neither too runny nor overly thick. Both extreme consistencies may indicate tampering or lower bioavailability.

Conclusion

Shilajit is a powerful natural supplement, but its benefits can only be experienced if the product is genuine and of high quality. By understanding how Shilajit is sourced and purified, you can make informed decisions and avoid the risks associated with fake or substandard products. Remember, true Shilajit is rare and costly to produce, so always be cautious of products that seem too cheap or make unrealistic claims.

For more detailed information on Shilajit sourcing and quality standards, be sure to explore our related articles!