Shilajit
Evidence: LimitedUseful 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…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| testosterone support in men | Limited Evidence | Modest rise in serum testosterone | healthy middle-aged men | ~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 supportA 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.
Bottom line: A small study shows a modest testosterone rise, but it is a biomarker signal, not a proven clinical benefit.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- 250–500 mg/day of a purified, standardized extract
- Timing
- Morning or with a meal
- With food
- With food
- How long to try
- Trial 8–12 weeks
What to track
- perceived energy and fatigue
- if testing, total testosterone
Safety
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
Shilajit can raise iron levels, risking overload when combined
Choosing a product
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 StoreDisclaimer: 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.