Shilajit Ingredients: 85+ Minerals & Trace Elements in Detail
In short: Shilajit largely consists of humic substances – above all fulvic acids and humic acids – plus over 80 minerals and trace elements, mostly in small amounts. Added to that are organic compounds such as dibenzo-α-pyrones and amino acids. The exact composition varies by origin and batch – which is why reputable suppliers have every batch analysed in a laboratory.
What is shilajit made of? The overview
Shilajit forms over decades from humified plant material in high mountain ranges – we describe the process in the article How is shilajit formed?. The result is a complex mixture whose composition is roughly described in review papers (including Carrasco-Gallardo et al., 2012) as follows:
- 60–80% humic substances: fulvic acids, humic acids and humins – the characteristic substance class of the resin
- Mineral components: over 80 minerals and trace elements, incorporated from the source material and the surrounding rock
- Accompanying organic substances: dibenzo-α-pyrones (DBPs) and their chromoproteins, amino acids, small amounts of lipids and other plant substances
The frequently quoted figure of "85+ minerals" comes from analyses of various origins. Important for context: most of these elements are present only in traces. Depending on the batch, only a few minerals reach nutritionally meaningful amounts – more on this below.
Humic substances: fulvic acids and humic acids
Humic substances are the framework of shilajit. They form during the microbial breakdown of organic material and also occur in soils, peat and bodies of water. The usual classification is by solubility:
- Fulvic acids: low molecular weight, water-soluble across the entire pH range – the largest single fraction in purified shilajit. In practice, the fulvic acid content serves as a quality and standardisation marker: it shows how carefully a batch has been purified and how concentrated it is. Explained in detail in the article Fulvic acid: the most important quality marker.
- Humic acids: higher molecular weight, soluble only in an alkaline environment – more in the article Humic acids in shilajit.
- Humins: insoluble fraction, present only in residual amounts in purified resin.
Minerals and trace elements: what is in a daily dose?
More concrete than lists of elements are analysis values per daily dose. As an example, the typical batch values of a purified, lab-tested resin at a 0.9 g daily dose – given as a percentage of the Nutrient Reference Values (NRV, the reference amount for daily intake):
| Mineral | % NRV per 0.9 g daily dose | Authorised claim for the mineral (EU register) |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesium | 108% | Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue and contributes to normal muscle function |
| Calcium | 72% | Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones |
| Manganese | 34% | Manganese contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress |
| Iron | 31% | Iron contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body and to normal cognitive function |
| Selenium | 23% | Selenium contributes to the normal function of the immune system |
Two things are decisive here: first, these authorised claims refer exclusively to the respective minerals – not to shilajit as a whole. No health claims are authorised for shilajit itself in the EU. Second, the values only ever apply to the specific batch analysed: a product without a batch analysis can have significantly different – including significantly lower – contents.
In addition, shilajit contains traces of numerous other elements, including potassium, zinc, copper, molybdenum and silicon – in amounts that are usually not nutritionally relevant.
Dibenzo-α-pyrones and other organic components
Alongside the humic substances, the scientific literature describes a group of small organic molecules as characteristic of shilajit: the dibenzo-α-pyrones (DBPs), partly free, partly bound to proteins (DBP chromoproteins). They are considered a kind of chemical fingerprint of genuine shilajit and are used in research as marker compounds. Added to these are amino acids, small amounts of organic acids and residues of the plant source material. Research on these compounds is predominantly preclinical – i.e. not transferable to humans – and is not sufficient for authorised health claims. An overview of the state of research is given in the article Shilajit studies at a glance.
Why the composition varies from batch to batch
Shilajit is not a synthetically standardised product but a natural substance. Its composition depends on:
- Region of origin and altitude – rock and vegetation shape the mineral profile
- The specific collection site – even neighbouring valleys yield different raw material
- Purification process – filtration and thickening affect fulvic acid content and purity
- Batch – even with the same supplier, harvest times and raw material lots differ
This is exactly why the batch analysis is the only reliable proof of what is actually in the jar. How to read a certificate of analysis is explained on our page Lab Tests & Quality.
What should NOT be in it
An honest look at the ingredients also includes the flip side: as a natural product from rock, shilajit can take up unwanted elements – above all heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. The German consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) points out that mumijo products have repeatedly attracted attention for elevated heavy metal contents. A reputable product therefore comes with a certificate of analysis per batch demonstrating compliance with EU limits. How to check such a certificate and spot fakes is shown in the articles Shilajit & heavy metals and Recognising genuine shilajit.
View lab-tested shilajit: Want to know what is inside – in black and white? Vitadote® Shilajit Resin 30g (76–83% fulvic acid, COA per batch) or Vitadote® Shilajit Tablets 120×200mg – taste-neutral and precisely dosed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What ingredients does shilajit contain?
Mainly humic substances (fulvic acids, humic acids), plus over 80 minerals and trace elements, mostly in small amounts, as well as organic compounds such as dibenzo-α-pyrones and amino acids.
How much fulvic acid does shilajit contain?
That depends on origin and purification. Purified, standardised resins state their content via laboratory analysis – it serves as a quality and purity marker, not as a promise of effect.
Does shilajit contain iron?
Yes, naturally – around 31% NRV per 0.9 g daily dose in the example analysis above. People with iron storage disorders should therefore consult a doctor before taking it.
Is shilajit vegan?
Shilajit forms predominantly from plant material and is not obtained from animals. We examine the question in detail in the article "Is shilajit vegan?".
Are heavy metals in shilajit a problem?
They can be – especially with unpurified raw material that has not been lab-tested. Only buy products with a current batch certificate of analysis demonstrating compliance with EU limits.
Why do analysis values differ between suppliers?
Because origin, raw material and purification processes vary. Only lab-confirmed values per batch are comparable – not blanket marketing figures.
Sources & further reading
- Carrasco-Gallardo, C. et al. (2012): Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity. International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (review of composition; predominantly preclinical – not transferable to humans). PubMed search
- Stohs, S. J. (2014): Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo). Phytotherapy Research (safety review, including on contaminants). PubMed search
- Meena, H. et al. (2010): Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems. International Journal of Ayurveda Research (review, predominantly preclinical – not transferable to humans). PubMed search
- EU Register on Nutrition and Health Claims (authorised claims for magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium). 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.