Food supplements seem to come in increasingly unusual formats, and the more ancient the substance, the more revered it appears to become. Probably the most peculiar supplement I’ve tried of late is Himalayan Gold Grade Shilajit — effectively gloop scraped from Himalayan rocks. But was it worth the assault on the senses? 

What is Shilajit? 

I’d never heard of Shilajit before coming across Ancient Extracts, and, rather than blindly taking something because the packaging suggested it might be good for me, I did a little research. 

Shilajit, as it turns out, is a resin that seeps from rocks at high altitudes. It’s most commonly found in the Himalayas and Altai mountains, and is formed over centuries from decomposing plant matter. I know, sounds delightful, right? 

Ancient Extracts Shilajit in pot

The good news is that it contains more than 80 trace minerals and fulvic acid, all of which are claimed to have positive effects on the body. Classed as an adaptogen (specific plants, herbs and natural substances that help the body handle physical and mental stress), it apparently helps the body adapt to stress, supports brain health, and balances hormones. 

How do you take Shilajit? 

Ancient Extracts Himalayan Gold Grade Shilajit comes as raw resin. There’s no sugarcoating this: the resin smells absolutely awful. The very idea of ingesting the thick, dark, gloop made my toes curl. 

While contemplating whether to put it in the back of the cupboard and forget about it or give it a humane burial in the garden, I started reading the claimed benefits listed on the packaging. Increased stamina, reduced fatigue, strengthened muscles and bones, hormone regulation, and increased libido. I guess there are a few areas where I could do with a boost, so I decided to figuratively (and quite honestly, literally) hold my nose and jump into the experience. 

There are two suggested ways to take Shilajit. Either by placing a pea-sized amount under the tongue to dissolve, or by dissolving it in a warm drink. The first idea was right out for me, so I opted to dissolve it in water. 

Ancient Extracts Shilajit dissolved

Using the little scoop provided, I managed to tease out a spoonful of the rather thick resin and stirred it into the hot water. Once it had dissolved, I topped it up with a little cool water to make it easy to drink and went in. 

To my surprise, the stench that is the raw resin almost disappears once it has dissolved, so drinking it was much less of a challenge than I had initially thought. Yes, there is a residual earthy minerality to the flavour, but nothing too worrying, which I was very grateful for. 

Does it actually work, or is it just a gimmick? 

With so many supplements on the market promising to improve the body and mind, you could be forgiven for thinking that this is just another elixir that reduces nothing but your bank balance. 

There is a small amount of clinical evidence suggesting that Shilajit may have a positive effect. Some trials have produced encouraging results in areas such as testosterone levels, exercise recovery, and bone health, but the studies have been limited and don’t substantiate the much broader range of benefits claimed. That doesn’t mean to say they aren’t true, of course; just don’t go pinning any vital health hopes on them at this stage. 

It has been used for thousands of years in traditional Ayurvedic holistic medicine and, more recently, has gained popularity in the West as a supplement. While it is a natural substance, it should still be taken with care. 

Ancient Extracts states that each batch of Shilajit resin is lab-tested to ensure purity. This is an essential step, because impure sources can contain heavy metals and toxins, which are not something to mess with.

Whether it does what it claims on the packaging and produces tangible results may not be a simple question to answer. Ancient Extracts suggests you should start to see results within 4-12 weeks, indicating that everyone is different and that there are no clear timelines. 

Ancient Extracts Himalayan Gold Grade Shilajit: The verdict

It’s difficult to know which of the myriad supplements out there will actually have a positive impact, but with any of them, if you don’t try, you’ll never know. Ancient Extracts Himalayan Gold Grade Shilajit boasts some great reviews, and with prices starting at £36External link (with a subscription), you would want to see some convincing results.

Ancient Extracts Himalayan Gold Grade Shilajit may have the potential to help in many areas, from brain function and fatigue to hormone balance and libido, but it won’t do it overnight. In order to maximise any benefits, you’d need to make this slightly peculiar substance a part of your daily routine. Once you get used to handling the resin (and the smell), it shouldn’t be that difficult a task. 

That task does become a little more challenging, though, as the resin can become much harder in the pot over time, so you need to warm the jar to soften it, which isn’t the most convenient way to take a supplement. 

Ancient Extracts Shilajit in glass

If Shilajit is an option you feel is worth exploring, Ancient Extracts seems like a good choice. Even if the effects aren’t quite as evident as you might have hoped, the company’s commitment to third-party testing provides reassurance of its purity.

As with any supplement, it’s worth speaking to your GP before taking Shilajit if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take prescription medication.

Would I be opting for another pot? Personally, I don’t think this one is for me. While I do think that the resin in this pure form is probably the best way to take Shilajit, it’s not as easy as reaching for a pill or a gummy. I’m definitely on board with the promise it offers, but for me, the format and the hassle of using it count against it.

Sam Huff
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