Shilajit & Testosterone: What the Studies Really Show
In short: Shilajit is constantly linked to testosterone on social media. The scientific basis for this is thin, however: at its core stands a single, small placebo-controlled study from 2016 that has not yet been independently confirmed. No health claims are authorised for shilajit in the EU, which is why reputable suppliers promise nothing. This article puts the state of research into sober perspective.
Important: No health claims are authorised for shilajit/mumijo in the EU (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006). This article reports neutrally on the state of research and makes no claims of effect.
Why is shilajit linked to testosterone in the first place?
The connection has two roots. First, tradition: in Ayurvedic literature, shilajit has been classed for centuries as a rasayana, a historical category that says nothing, legally or scientifically, about actual effects. Second, modern marketing: on TikTok, YouTube and in Amazon listings, the term "testosterone booster" circulates widely, a term from advertising, not from science. In the EU, promoting shilajit this way is not permitted.
In essence, only a single human study that examined testosterone levels as an endpoint can actually be cited. How it was designed and what it measured, you will see in the next section. For a broader overview of the research as a whole, see our articles Shilajit Effects: What Do Studies Really Say? and Shilajit Studies at a Glance.
The Pandit et al. (2016) study at a glance
The most frequently cited investigation comes from India and was published in 2016 in the journal Andrologia. Here are the key facts, purely as reported:
| Study design | randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled |
|---|---|
| Participants | healthy men aged between 45 and 55; around 75 participants evaluated |
| Test preparation | purified, standardised shilajit ("purified Shilajit") |
| Dosage | 2 × 250 mg daily |
| Duration | 90 days |
| Measured values | total testosterone, free testosterone, DHEAS in the blood |
| Result | At the end of the study, significantly higher readings were documented in the shilajit group than in the placebo group |
So much for the finding. What matters is how robust this one study is, and that is where the limitations begin.
The limits of the study
Anyone who wants to put the investigation fully into context needs to know the following points:
- Small sample: Around 75 evaluated participants is little for robust conclusions.
- Single finding: There is no independent replication with the same endpoint.
- Narrow target group: Only healthy men aged between 45 and 55 were studied. The study says nothing about younger men, women or other groups.
- Manufacturer involvement: The study was conducted with the support of the manufacturer of the test preparation, a well-known bias factor.
- Laboratory values rather than everyday relevance: What was measured were blood values. Conclusions about well-being, muscle growth or performance cannot be drawn from them; such endpoints were not examined.
- Study preparation ≠ commercial product: A specifically standardised preparation was examined. Results cannot be transferred to just any commercial product.
The data is not sufficient for authorised health claims.
Further research: Biswas et al. (2010)
An older investigation is occasionally cited: in a small study of men with reduced sperm counts (28 evaluated participants, 90 days, 2 × 100 mg processed shilajit daily), changes in various sperm and hormone parameters were documented (Biswas et al., 2010, Andrologia). Here too: a very small sample, no control group in the classic sense, a patient group rather than healthy volunteers, and the results cannot be transferred to healthy individuals. Here as well, the data is not sufficient for authorised health claims.
The legal situation: why nobody may promise "more testosterone"
The European Health Claims Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006) prohibits health-related advertising claims for foods unless they are expressly authorised. Not a single authorised claim exists for shilajit. Phrases such as "boosts testosterone", "testosterone booster" or even softer variants are therefore not permitted in commercial communication, regardless of how often they appear online.
For you as a consumer, this is a useful filter: a supplier who promises you testosterone effects is violating EU law. That says a lot about how carefully quality and laboratory analyses are handled there too.
Zinc: the only authorised claim relating to testosterone
There is indeed one legally secure reference point, but it concerns not shilajit but the trace element zinc. For zinc, the claim "Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood" is authorised in the EU. It may only be used for products that provide at least 15% of the reference value per daily dose (equivalent to 1.5 mg of zinc), and it refers exclusively to zinc as a nutrient, not to shilajit. Zinc can also be obtained easily through a normal diet. As a general rule: a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important.
Checklist: how to recognise reputable suppliers
- No claims of effect: Anyone using "booster" language is operating outside EU law.
- Certificate of analysis (COA) per batch: with batch number, heavy metal values and fulvic acid content including the measurement method. More on this on our page Lab Tests & Quality.
- Transparent origin and information about purification.
- Realistic figures: Extreme percentages without a stated method are a warning sign.
- EU legal notice and reachable support.
View lab-tested shilajit: Vitadote® Shilajit Resin 30g (76–83% fulvic acid, COA per batch) or Vitadote® Shilajit Tablets 120×200mg, taste-neutral and precisely dosed. We deliberately advertise without claims of effect.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does shilajit raise testosterone levels?
No health claims are authorised for shilajit. There is a single small study (2016) in which higher blood values were measured; independent confirmations are lacking. The data is not sufficient for robust conclusions.
Is shilajit a "testosterone booster"?
No. Shilajit is a food supplement, not a medicine, and may not be advertised with such effects. The term comes from marketing, not from science.
What amount was used in the study?
In the 2016 study it was 2 × 250 mg of purified shilajit per day over 90 days. That is a study parameter, not a recommended intake; what counts is the dosage recommendation of the product in question. You will find practical guidance in our article on shilajit dosage.
Does the research also apply to women?
No. The testosterone investigations were conducted exclusively with men. We have a separate article on the state of research in women: Shilajit for Women.
Why do so many suppliers still advertise with testosterone?
Because search demand is high and legal enforcement does not catch everyone immediately. It is not legally permitted, and for consumers it is a reliable warning sign.
Sources & further reading
- Pandit et al. (2016): Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia. PubMed search
- Biswas et al. (2010): Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia. Andrologia. PubMed search
- Stohs (2014): Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo). Phytotherapy Research. PubMed search
- EU Register on Nutrition and Health Claims (European Commission). ec.europa.eu
This article is for neutral information purposes and does not replace medical advice. Food supplements are no substitute for a balanced, varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you have a medical condition, take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.
Redaktion shilajitkaufen.com – We write to a fixed editorial standard: studies reported neutrally, no healing claims, sources under every article. More about our quality criteria: Lab Tests & Quality.