Shilajit resin has long been used in Ayurveda, which is India’s centuries-old system of traditional healing.

It is a sticky substance that is found on the surfaces and in the cracks of rocks in the Himalayan mountains and is the result of the gradual decomposition of plants over many years.

Shilajit is a rich source of fulvic acid, which is thought to block allergic reactions like hay fever and eczema, and humic acid, that is used to stimulate the immune system, plus over 84 valuable trace minerals. Shilajit is frequently used by Ayurvedic practitioners as a traditional rejuvenative medicine, or rasayana, for a range of disorders, including the following:

• One of the main elements in shilajit is fulvic acid, which is a powerful antioxidant that may play a role in supporting the nervous system and improving memory, mood, and thought processing. By reducing inflammation, fulvic acid may also have future potential.

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This hormone is primarily associated with the male sex drive. However, it is important to both men and women and needs to be present in optimal levels because it also plays a vital role in protecting heart health and maintaining muscle strength, energy, and concentration. In one small double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, published in Andrologia, a twice-daily dose of 250 mg purified shilajit extract was tested for three months in healthy male volunteers aged between 45 and 55 years.

This dose was found to significantly increase total testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) compared with placebo. DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands which is used to make androgens and oestrogens, the male and female sex hormones. DHEA levels are highest at around age 25, and then steadily decline with age.

This challenging long-term condition is characterised by debilitating exhaustion and ‘brain fog’. There is some evidence that CFS is associated with mitochondrial disorders and damage, resulting in impaired energy production. A clinical study undertaken on animals, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, has suggested that taking shilajit may repair mitochondrial function, and therefore help improve energy levels.