Evidence-based·Last reviewed May 30, 2026·How we grade evidence

Shilajit

Specialty

Useful mainly for men seeking a general tonic; preliminary support for testosterone and fatigue.

Quick decision guide

May help most

men seeking a general tonic; preliminary support for testosterone and fatigue

Common dosing range

250–500 mg/day of purified extract

When to expect effects

Weeks

Watch out for

Unpurified raw shilajit can contain heavy metals and mycotoxins — only purified products should be used

What is it

Shilajit is a sticky, tar-like resin that seeps from rocks in high mountain ranges such as the Himalayas, formed over centuries from decomposed plant matter. It is rich in fulvic acid and humic compounds and is used in Ayurvedic practice as a general tonic, most often marketed today for energy and male hormonal support.

Is it worth it for you?

Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.

Worth considering if…

You want to try an Ayurvedic tonic and will use a purified, tested product
You are a middle-aged man curious about the small testosterone signal
You accept the evidence is preliminary

Probably skip if…

You expect proven disease treatment or large effects
You cannot verify the product is purified and heavy-metal tested
You have hemochromatosis or another iron-overload condition

Evidence at a glance

testosterone support in men

Limited Evidence
Effect
Modest rise in serum testosterone
Best fit
healthy middle-aged men
Time
~8–12 weeks

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

testosterone support in men

Biomarker support
Limited Evidence

A small placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 45–55 reported a modest increase in total and free testosterone after roughly 90 days of purified shilajit. This is a biomarker change from limited data and has not been shown to translate into clinical outcomes such as improved libido or muscle mass.

Effect size
Modest rise in serum testosterone
Time to effect
~8–12 weeks
Best fit
healthy middle-aged men
Less likely
young men with already-normal testosterone

Bottom line: A small study shows a modest testosterone rise, but it is a biomarker signal, not a proven clinical benefit.

SourcePandit et al., 2016 — PubMed

How to take it

1. Typical dose
250–500 mg/day of a purified, standardized extract
2. Timing
Morning or with a meal
3. With food
With food
4. How long to try
Trial 8–12 weeks

What to track

perceived energy and fatigue
if testing, total testosterone

Safety

Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.

Common side effects

generally well tolerated in studies of purified product

Serious risks

  • heavy-metal toxicity from unpurified product

  • possible iron overload with chronic use

Who should avoid it

  • pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • people with hemochromatosis or iron overload
  • anyone using raw, unpurified shilajit

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety data and contamination risk.

Interactions

iron supplementsModerate

Shilajit can raise iron levels, risking overload when combined

Choosing a product

What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.

Look for…

purified/standardized resin
third-party heavy-metal testing
stated fulvic acid content

Be skeptical of…

"raw" or "unpurified" sold for ingestion
cure-all or testosterone-doubling claims
unverified high-altitude sourcing as a quality proxy

References by claim

testosterone support in men

Pandit et al., 2016 — PubMed (2016) link

Track Shilajit with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store
Evidence-based·Last reviewed May 30, 2026·Evidence current as of May 30, 2026·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.