Shilajit Bhasma – Features, Properties, Uses & Benefits
Abstract
In Ayurveda, there are a number of Rasayanas (rejuvenators) mentioned in the books. Some are pure herbal forms and some are metallic but some are complex. In this complex kind of rejuvenators, Shilajit stands distinctive. Shiljit has been mentioned in the classical text books of Ayurveda in detail. Acharya Charak has mentioned Shilajit as Sarvarognashak – Cures all disorders. In this article, we shall be discussing everything about Shilajit Bhasm, its ingredients, health benefits and purification to its safe dosages.
Introduction
Shilajit Bhasma is a rare and highly potent Ayurvedic herbomineral preparation made by subjecting purified Shilajit (Shuddha Shilajatu) to a specialized process of calcination known as Marana. While the common resin form is more widely known, the Bhasma version is considered superior in traditional Rasashastra (Ayurvedic alchemy) for its deep tissue penetration. The process of making it is given later in the article.
Shilajat Maaran
शिलया गन्धतालाभ्यां मातुलुङ्गरसेन च।
हि शिलाधातुम्रियतेऽष्टगिरिण्डकैः ।।११३।।
Shilajit, when triturated with Manashila (realgar), Gandhak (sulfur), and Hartal (orpiment) using the juice of a bijora nimbu (citron fruit), formed into a ball, and then subjected to calcination (putt) in a closed crucible (gajputt) using eight wild cow dung cakes, is reduced to ash.
How to use
भस्मीभूतशिलोद्भवं समतुलं कान्तं च
वैक्रान्तकं युक्तं च
त्रिफलाकदुत्रिकघृतैर्वल्लेन तुल्यं भजेत् ।
पाण्डौ यक्ष्मगदे तथाग्निसदने मेहेषु मूलामये ।
गुल्मप्लीहमहोदरे बहुविधे शूले च योन्यामये ।। 114।।
सेवेत यदि षण्मासं रसायनविधानतः ।
वलीपलितनिर्मुक्तो जीवेद्वर्षशतं सुखी ।। 195।।
Shilajit bhasma, Kantaloha bhasma (purified iron), and Vaikranta bhasma (black tourmaline) should be mixed together in equal parts and ground thoroughly. Taking 125 milligrams (one ratti) of this mixture with Triphala and Trikatu powder and ghee cures pandu (anemia), kshya (tuberculosis), agnimandya (indigestion), prameha (diabetes), arsha (hemorrhoids), gulma (?abdominal tumors), plihavridhia (splenomegaly), jalodar (ascites), various types of abdominal pain, and gynecological disorders in women. If this preparation is consumed regularly for six months according to the prescribed method, premature graying and hair loss cease, and a person can live healthily for a hundred years.
Benefits and Uses
- Powerful Rejuvenator (Rasayana): It is traditionally used to arrest the aging process, enhance longevity, and restore physical strength.
- Metabolic & Urinary Support: In clinical Ayurveda, it is specifically indicated for managing Madhumeha (diabetes), Prameha (urinary disorders), and Medoroga (obesity) by clearing blockages in the body’s channels.
- Yogavahi (Catalyst): Like the resin, the Bhasma acts as a potent carrier, significantly increasing the absorption and efficacy of other herbs or minerals it is paired with.
- Diuretic & Kidney Health: Variations like Karpura Shilajit Bhasma are highly regarded as natural diuretics, helping to treat kidney stones and inflammatory conditions of the urinary tract.
The main ingredient being Shilajit itself required a detailed view and that has been provided below.
Shilajit And Its Origin
ग्रीष्मे तीव्रार्कतप्तेभ्यः पादेभ्यो हिमभूभृतः।
स्वर्णरूप्यार्कगर्भेभ्यः शिलाधातुर्विनिः सरेत् ।। 103
Shilajit is extracted from the rocks of the Himalayan mountain peaks, which are heated by the intense heat of the summer sun and contain gold, silver, and copper metals.
This substance is a black, thick exudate that oozes from rocks in the mountains under the intense sunlight. The strong rays of the sun cause the Shilajit to seep out of the rocks and mix with the soil and pebbles on the ground. It is thick and black, resembling coal tar. When dry, it becomes shiny and brittle. Shilajit is soluble in water and, when dissolved, it leaves behind a sticky substance. It is chemically inert and insoluble in alcohol and chloroform. Shilajit is found in mountainous regions such as Gilgit, Tibet, Bhutan, and Garhwal. It is also known as Shilajatu, Ashmajatu, Shailaniryasa, Girija, and Black Bitumen. Shilajit is described in many ancient texts. It contains several substances in varying proportions. The approximate proportions of the elements found in Shilajit are as follows:
Water – 9.5%
Nitrogen containing substances – 1.3 %
Carbonic substances – 36.20 %
Lime – 7.80%
Earth substances – 34.65%
Mica – 1.35%
In addition to these components, Shilajit is also believed to contain various mineral oils. These oils are of the petroleum type. This is why Shilajit burns without smoke when placed in fire, and when placed in water, these oils float on the surface. Due to the presence of these oils, some authors have advised against excessive heating of Shilajit, although in some texts, its incineration is mentioned.
Types of Shilajit
शिलाधातुर्दिया प्रोक्तो गोमूत्राद्यो रसायनः। कर्पूरपूर्वकश्चान्यस्तत्राद्यो द्विविधः पुनः ।।
ससत्त्वश्चैव निः सत्त्वस्तयोः पूर्वो गुणाधिकः ।। 102।।
Shilajit is of two types:
- Gomutra Gandha Shilajit (Cow Urine-Scented Shilajit)
- Kapur Shilajit (Camphor Shilajit)
Gomutra Gandha Shilajit is a destroyer of old age and diseases and cures all ailments. Therefore, it is used for rejuvenation. It has a scent similar to cow urine. It is of two types: one containing active principles (satva sahit) and the other without them (satvaheena), the former is more beneficial. Kapur Shilajit is yellowish-white in color and appears fibrous, resembling hair.
स्वर्णगर्भगिरेर्जातो जपापुष्पनिभो गुरुः ।
सः स्वल्पतिक्तः सुस्वादुः परमं तद्रसायनम् ।। 104।
रूप्यगर्भगिरेर्जातं मधुरं पाण्डुरं गुरु।
शिलाजं पितरोगानं विशेषात्याण्डुरोगहत ।। 105।।
ताम्नगर्भगिरेर्जातं नीलवर्ण धनं गुरु।
शिलाजं कफवातप्नं तिक्तोष्णं क्षयरोगहत् ।। 106।।
The Shilajit found in the mines or rocks of the Himalayas that have a high gold content is reddish-brown in color, heavy, and has a slightly bitter and sweet taste. This is considered a superior rasayan. Shilajit extracted from mines with a silver mineral content is heavy, sweet, and pale in color. It is effective in treating pitta dosha disorders and especially anemia. Shilajit obtained from copper-bearing mountains is bluish-black, heavy, and solid. This type of Shilajit is bitter and hot in nature and is effective in treating diseases caused by imbalances of Kapha and Vata dosha, as well as kshya roga (tuberculosis).
Features of Pure Shiljit
वह्नौ क्षिप्तं भवेद्यत्तल्लिङ्गाकारमधूमकम् ।
सलिलेऽप्यविलीनं च तच्छ्रुद्धं हि शिलाजतु ।। 107।।
When thrown into fire, it shows its properties and does not emit smoke and does not wash off in water; But sit down in thread form, that Shilajit is best.
Other properties
नूनं सज्वरपाण्डुशोफशमनं मेहाग्निमान्द्यापहं मेदश्छेदकरं च यक्ष्मशमनं शूलामयोन्मूलनम्।
गुल्मप्लीहविनाशनं जठरहच्छूलघ्नमामापहं सर्वत्वग्गदनाशनं किमपरं देहे च लोहे हितम् ।।
रसीपरससूतेन्द्ररत्नलोहेषु ये गुणाः।
वसन्ति ते शिलाधातौ जरामृत्युजिगीषया ।। 102।।
Shilajit cures fever, anemia, edema (swelling), twenty types of urinary disorders, and indigestion. It reduces excess body fat and eliminates tuberculosis, colic, tumors, splenomegaly, and abdominal diseases. It cures all skin diseases. It makes the body strong and resilient. The qualities found in mercury, other minerals, and the seven bodily tissues seem to reside in Shilajit, as if to conquer aging and death in humans.
Shodhan (purification)
क्षाराम्लगोजलैर्धीतं शुद्धयत्येव शिलाजतु ।। 110।।
शिलाधातुं च दुग्धेन त्रिफलामार्कवद्रवैः ।
लोहपात्रे विनिक्षिप्य शोधयेदतियत्नतः ।। 111।।
क्षाराम्लगुग्गुलोपेतैः स्वेदनीयन्त्रमध्यगैः ।
स्वेदितो घटिकामानाच्छिलाधातुर्विशुद्ध्यति ।। 112।।
Shilajit is purified by grinding and washing it with alkalis, acids, and cow urine. Alternatively, place milk, Triphala decoction, and the juice of Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) in an iron vessel and add the Shilajit. The purified portion will float on the surface due to the heat of the sun. A wise person should collect this floating portion in a glass container. Another method is to purify Shilajit by steaming it for one hour in a vessel containing alkalis, acids, and Guggulu (Commiphora mukul).
Heating method
Impure Shilajit should be thoroughly mixed in warm water by hand. Then, cook this solution until it boils. After that, place the container in a safe place. The next day, carefully strain the solution through a cloth into another container. The first container will have mud and gravel at the bottom. Discard the residue. Heat the Shilajit solution again over a fire until it boils. The next day, filter it again through a cloth. In this way, the clay and other impurities will settle at the bottom of the container. Repeat this process until no more clay or impurities settle at the bottom. Finally, cook the resulting Shilajit solution over medium heat until it thickens. This is pure, heat-processed Shilajit.
Satvapatana
पिष्टं द्रावणवर्गेण साम्लेन गिरिसम्भवम् ।
क्षिप्त्वा मूघोदरे रुद्ध्वा गाढैर्ध्यातं हि कोकिलैः ।।
सत्त्वं मुश्चेच्छिलाघातुस्तत्क्षणाल्लोहसन्निभम् ।। 116।।
Shilajit is processed by grinding it with substances from the solvent category, such as jaggery, guggul (Commiphora mukul), gunja (Abrus precatorius), and ghee (clarified butter), along with acidic liquids like kanji (fermented preparation). This mixture is then placed in a crucible (mushayantra), the opening is sealed, and it is heated over a fire fueled by jujube wood charcoal. This process extracts the essence, which is hard and resembles iron.
Features of Kapur Shilajit
पाण्डुरं सिकताकांर कर्पूराद्यं शिलाजतु । मूत्रकृच्छ्राश्मरीमेहकामलापाण्डुनाशनम् ।। 117।।
एलातोयेन सम्भिन्त्रं सिद्धं शुद्धिमुपैति तत् । नैतस्य मारणं सत्त्वपातनं विहितं बुधैः ।। 118।।
Shilajit with a camphor-like fragrance is pale in color and granular in texture. Its consumption cures dysuria, urinary calculi, diabetes, jaundice, and anemia. It is purified by triturating it in a decoction of cardamom. Ayurvedic scholars have not described any process for its calcination or extraction of its essence.
Conclusion
Shilajit Bhasma occupies a unique and exalted position in Ayurvedic Rasashastra as a profound herbomineral Rasayana with both curative and rejuvenative potential. Classical Ayurvedic authorities, particularly Acharya Charaka and later Rasashastra texts, have described Shilajit as Sarvaroganashaka, underscoring its wide therapeutic spectrum and deep systemic action. The transformation of Shuddha Shilajit into Bhasma through meticulous processes such as Shodhana, Marana, and Satvapatana reflects the sophistication of Ayurvedic pharmaceutics aimed at enhancing safety, bioavailability, and tissue penetration. The extensive classical descriptions of its origin, types, purity tests, and pharmacological attributes clearly establish Shilajit Bhasma as a potent agent for managing chronic metabolic disorders, urinary diseases, degenerative conditions, and premature aging. Its Yogavahi property further amplifies the efficacy of associated medicines, making it invaluable in complex formulations. However, the texts also emphasize the necessity of correct identification, purification, and judicious processing, as improper handling or excessive heating may compromise its therapeutic integrity. In essence, Shilajit Bhasma represents the convergence of mineral science and rejuvenation therapy in Ayurveda. When prepared strictly according to classical guidelines and administered with appropriate Anupana and dosage, it serves not merely as a medicine but as a Rasayana capable of restoring vitality, strengthening tissues, and supporting a long, healthy life.
