How to tell if shilajit is pure: a buyer’s checklist

Shilajit is popular, expensive and easy to imitate. Search online and you will find many “home tests” that claim to show whether shilajit is real. Most of them prove very little. This checklist explains what to look for instead.

Why home tests are unreliable

Common tips include burning a piece, checking that it dissolves in water, or seeing whether it softens in the hand. Genuine shilajit does soften with warmth and dissolve in warm water, but so can many other resins, sugars and mixtures. A product can pass every kitchen test and still contain fillers or contaminants.

The only reliable way to know what is in shilajit is laboratory testing.

1. Is it purified?

Raw shilajit must be purified before use. Look for the words Shuddha Shilajit or a description of the purification method, such as Surya Tapi Shodhana. If a brand does not mention purification at all, ask why.

2. Is the form clear?

The label should tell you whether you are buying resin, powder, capsules or an extract. Extracts and capsules may contain other ingredients. Resin is the traditional form and the easiest to judge by eye: glossy, dark, firm when cool and pliable when warm.

3. Are other ingredients listed?

Check for carriers, sweeteners, flavourings or added herbs. A product described as shilajit should tell you how much of it is actually shilajit.

4. Is there a certificate of analysis?

This is the most important question. A certificate of analysis (COA) from an independent laboratory should show:

• Heavy metals: lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium, each with a result and a permitted limit.
• Microbial limits: total plate count, yeast and mould, and the absence of harmful bacteria.
• The laboratory name and its accreditation.
• A date and a reference that links the report to the product.

If a brand cannot or will not share a COA, take that as a warning sign.

5. Is there a licence number?

Shilajit sold as an Ayurvedic medicine in India must be made by a licensed manufacturer. The licence number should be printed on the label.

6. Does the price make sense?

Purified shilajit is slow to produce. A price far below the market is a reason to look more closely at the label and the testing.

7. Are the claims sensible?

Be cautious of products that promise dramatic or certain results. Responsible brands describe traditional use, give clear directions and list who should not use the product.

Quick checklist

• States “Shuddha” or describes purification
• Form and quantity clearly stated
• All other ingredients listed
• Independent lab report available
• Manufacturing licence number on the label
• Sensible claims and clear cautions