The History of Shilajit
Shilajit has been collected from high mountain ranges for a very long time. This page gives a short overview of where it comes from and how it has been used.
Where it forms. Shilajit is found in rock crevices in high mountain ranges, including the Himalayas, the Karakoram, the Altai and the Caucasus. It forms over centuries as plant material decomposes under the pressure and temperature conditions of the rock.
Ayurvedic tradition. Shilajit appears in classical Ayurvedic texts, where it is listed among the rasayana preparations of that tradition.
Himalayan folklore. In mountain communities, knowledge of where to find shilajit and how to clean it has been passed down through generations, and the resin features in local stories and customs.
Across cultures. Historical sources record shilajit in the traditions of India, Tibet, China and Persia, often under different names.
Scientific interest. In recent decades researchers have studied shilajit's chemical make-up, particularly its fulvic acid and dibenzo-alpha-pyrone content. This research is ongoing.
Today. Shilajit is now sold in many countries as a food supplement, most often as a purified resin, as well as in liquid and capsule forms.
For how our own resin is collected and purified, see Why Shilajit Global, and for what it contains, see Composition.