Planet Ayurveda Herbs For Heart

What is Shilajit?

Shilajit is also known as Asphaltum puniabiunum (Latin name). Shilajit is a miracle herb which can provide overall beneficial improvement to the quality of both physical and mental well being. It is a favorite Ayurvedic herb which provides relief for multiple conditions. It is considered to be an important herbal supplement that encourages normal body functioning and acts as a general body toner. Shilajit is one of India's most precious herbs and is considered a wonder herbal remedy by numerous people due to its high mineral content.

Shilajit comes from the Indian subcontinent and it oozes out from between the cracks of rocks in the Himalayan Mountains. It is a blackish-brown semisolid mass which is full of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. According to Ayurveda, most curable diseases can be treated with Shilajit. Some researchers consider Shilajit as a remnant of vegetation fossils that may have undergone a high amount of metamorphosis due to environmental factors.

The Himalayan Mountains are understood to have been formed about 50 million years ago. It is believed that dense vegetation comprising entire rain forests got trapped due to millions of tons of pressure. This slowly changed into a rich bioactive material called Shilajit. The discovery of Shilajit has been said to be made by some Himalayan tribal villagers. In the Himalayas, some white monkeys were observed to lick the semi-solid substance exuding out of rock crevices. In ancient times, observation of animal behaviors was an important part of healthcare research. The villagers, out of curiosity started taking the substance and observed marked improvement in their health and stamina. It gave them strength, energy, relieved digestive problems, increased sex drive and improved memory. Traditional health practitioners established the methods to purify the substance and considered Shilajit to contain major rejuvenating properties.

Shilajit is a blessing of Ayurveda and this herbomineral is a unique herb that not only helps in increasing strength of the body but also helps in building body's immunity. This herbal supplement is considered as one of the most precious herb around the globe. Most researchers provide different theories about what is Shilajit? It is controversial as one theory states that Shilajit is the residue of plants and another theory states it is the end result of rocks and soil broken down by some mosses or liverworts.

But what is known exactly is that Shilajit is a unique tar like substance, which oozes from cracks in rocks upon high mountainous regions of the Himalayas and especially in India during hot weather. Shilajit is composed of humus and a variety of minerals including di-benzoalphapyrones, fulvic, humic, benzoic and hippuric acids. This unique substance has adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic and anti-allergic properties.

Ayurveda considers Shilajit as a rasayana or rejuvenating substance which enhances the body's capacity to react to foreign particles. The substance has been found to contain more than 80 minerals in ionic form, including humic acid and fulvic acid. Laboratory experiments have confirmed the pharmacological activity of Shilajit and the results are encouraging in the treatment of impotence, sterility, mental diseases and memory enhancement.

There are very few side effects associated with the consumption of Shilajit. In some rare cases, it may cause gout as it increases the production of uric acid in the body. Also, if consumed with iron supplements, an overdose could occur in some persons. Shilajit is comprised mainly of decayed plant matter and it is also called mineral pitch. Most people have used it for many years to treat and prevent a variety of health problems which include including leprosy, hemorrhoids, sexual dysfunction, skin irritation and diabetes. It is regarded as one of the best anti-aging herbal supplement.

Shilajit side effects are so rare that most people prefer to use herbal supplements instead of modern drugs. However, those with a serious medical condition should always consult a physician before the intake of any herbal supplement. Shilajit is a naturally occurring substance and it may not be fully tested for potential drug interactions. As a precautionary measure, patients should keep this in mind when taking it in combination with modern drugs. An ayurvedic physician should be consulted, if there is any doubt. Although there is no side effect reported so far, but if there is any shilajit side effect, it should be noted. There are some symptoms associated with the consumption of Shilajit such as shortness of breath, dizziness, rapid heart rate, nausea and vomiting. However, these symptoms are very rare, but should be kept equally in mind.