What Is The Best Way To Take Shilajit?

Shilajit, a resin-like substance found in the mountains, is prized for its health benefits, which include energy support, antioxidant effects, and immune health, although if you’re reading this you probably already know that.

However, how you take shilajit does affect its performance and to a point the effect it will have. Keep in mind that the science on this isn’t 100 percent perfect in terms of clinical studies testing the difference. And we’ll be looking at how key compounds in shilajit behave in the stomach, and with hot liquids etc as well as the historic use cases.

Now, realistically, if we discount just swallowing it whole, which as you probably figured out isn’t the best way to take shilajit, there are four common ways it’s used, and they do have different uses.

The Methods

Under the tongue (sublingual), sucking in the cheek (buccal), mixing with warm water (milk etc) or as a gummy. Keep in mind that barely chewing the gummy and swallowing it whole defeats the purpose here.

As we mentioned there is also some slight variation in the effects (in theory) for example, if you want shilajit to bind to toxins in your gut, which it is good for (assuming you have clean shilajit) then obviously you’ll want to swallow it. If, however, you’re looking to optimize for it’s other benefits, you’ll want to get as much of it in your blood stream without it binding to other things and passing through your system.

It's also worth noting that some shilajit compounds are relatively fragile and some does get lost to stomach acid and can be easily damaged by heat etc.

Optimal Methods of Taking Shilajit

1. Sublingual and Buccal Consumption
• How It Works: Sublingual consumption involves placing shilajit under the tongue, while buccal usage means positioning it in the cheek pouch. Both methods use the thin tissue in the mouth for absorption.
• Benefits: With these methods, shilajit enters the bloodstream through the mucous membranes, bypassing the digestive tract. This means compounds like fulvic acid and trace minerals absorb without being broken down by stomach acids, maintaining their potency. Research supports that sublingual and buccal absorption can result in faster effects, as active compounds avoid the delay of digestion.
2. Dissolving in Warm Water
• How It Works: Dissolving shilajit in warm water is an effective, convenient way to consume it without compromising its bioactive properties.
• Benefits: Warm water maintains the stability of shilajit’s active ingredients, making it suitable for gentle ingestion. This approach offers a slower but sustained release of compounds, supporting overall digestive comfort and mineral absorption.
3. Adding to Coffee or Tea with Caution
• How It Works: Some people enjoy adding shilajit to coffee or tea for an easier way to incorporate it into their routine. However, it’s important to avoid high temperatures.
• Benefits: Allow the beverage to cool to a warm (not hot) temperature before adding shilajit. The compounds in shilajit are sensitive to heat, so adding it to boiling liquids may decrease potency. By letting the coffee or tea cool slightly, you can enjoy a warm drink without risking compound degradation.
4. Sucking or Chewing Shilajit Gummies
• How It Works: Shilajit gummies are convenient, but to maximize their effect, they should be sucked or chewed thoroughly.
• Benefits: Allowing the gummy to dissolve in the mouth enables absorption through the mucous membranes, as with sublingual or buccal consumption. This increases bioavailability and can lead to faster effects than swallowing it whole.

NB – A note about shilajit gummies, it’s worth noting that it’s a lot easier for unscrupulous companies to hide poor quality shilajit in gummies, so do due diligence before purchasing. The production of gummies can also severely affect Shilajit’s compounds.

So, for example, to get the same level of micro compounds in our gummies we needed 1000mg of shilajit resin to be the equivalent of 400mg of our normal resin, which is why our gummies cost more. Because of the manufacturing process. So, keep these things in mind when you purchase.

Why Sublingual and Buccal Methods are Preferred for Maximum Absorption

Both sublingual and buccal administration are optimal for delivering shilajit’s active compounds directly into the bloodstream. When shilajit dissolves in the mouth, fulvic acid and other small, absorbable compounds can enter through capillaries under the tongue or within the cheek pouch, moving quickly into circulation.

For those interested in shilajit’s potential detoxifying qualities, consuming it orally (swallowed rather than held in the mouth) may support digestive tract detoxification. Compounds like fulvic and humic acids in shilajit may bind to certain toxins or metals and aid in their excretion through the digestive system.

Things You Need to Know About When Deciding How to Take Shilajit

Digestive Absorption and Detoxification

• Digestive Binding: If you are using shilajit for detoxification purposes, oral ingestion can indeed help because compounds like fulvic and humic acids can bind with toxins and assist in their excretion. These acids are believed to chelate metals and bind to certain toxins, aiding in detoxification when they pass through the digestive tract.

Temperature Sensitivity with Shilajit

• Heat Stability: Shilajit’s active compounds are somewhat sensitive to very high heat. Fulvic acid, in particular, can degrade with high temperatures, so adding it directly to boiling hot water or coffee could potentially reduce its effectiveness. Warm water, on the other hand, should be safe and effective.

 

Key Takeaways

• Sublingual and Buccal: Both methods provide efficient, rapid absorption of shilajit’s active compounds by bypassing digestion.
• Warm Water: Dissolving shilajit in warm water is gentle and effective, but avoid using boiling water to maintain the bioactivity of fulvic acid.
• Coffee/Tea: Let the beverage cool slightly before adding shilajit to avoid heat degradation.
• Gummies: For gummies, suck or chew thoroughly to increase mucosal absorption.

Conclusion

With the right method, shilajit’s unique compounds can deliver optimal benefits. Sublingual and buccal usage are excellent for fast absorption, while methods like warm water and carefully managed coffee allow for gentle consumption that maintains bioactivity. For those exploring shilajit’s full benefits, including energy support and detoxification, these methods offer the best results.

Keep in mind that this isn’t true for every single micro compound in shilajit, but it generally accurate as an overall.