How to Identify Original Shilajit and Test its Purity
Shilajit has gained incredible popularity in recent years, celebrated for its powerful health benefits and natural origins. Yet, with that popularity has come a flood of low-quality and fake products on the market. Knowing how to identify original Shilajit is crucial to reap its benefits without compromising your health.
This guide will walk you through the key characteristics of authentic Shilajit, simple purity tests you can try, and the best practices to ensure you’re purchasing the real deal.
Key Characteristics of Authentic Shilajit
Before getting into purity tests, it’s important to learn what original Shilajit looks, tastes, and feels like.
Texture and Appearance
Original and pure Shilajit has a sticky, resinous texture. At room temperature, it’s soft and pliable but becomes hard and brittle when refrigerated. Its colour ranges from dark brown to black, depending on its source, with a glossy finish.
Pro Tip: If Shilajit feels powdery, overly thick, or lacks a natural sheen, there’s a good chance it’s been adulterated.
Taste
Pure Shilajit has a distinct, earthy taste with a hint of bitterness. It may also carry mild smoky undertones due to its natural composition of minerals and bioactive compounds. If you encounter Shilajit that tastes sweet or artificially flavoured, it’s likely impure.
Aroma
The natural scent of Shilajit is strong and earthy. Beware of products with little to no aroma or an overpowering artificial fragrance.
How to Test Shilajit's Purity
Wondering how to know the Shilajit you bought is original? Here are three simple tests you can try at home to verify its purity.
1. The Solubility Test
The solubility test is one of the easiest ways to determine if your Shilajit is pure.
Steps:
- Take a pea-sized amount of Shilajit.
- Dissolve it in a glass of warm water.
What to Look For:
- Authentic Shilajit will dissolve completely, leaving a smooth, syrup-like consistency with no residue or particles.
- Fake or impure products may leave sediment or visible particles, indicating fillers or additives.
2. The Burn Test
The burn test can help verify the absence of harmful chemicals and artificial substances.
Steps:
- Take a small piece of Shilajit.
- Place it on a non-flammable surface (like a spoon) and apply heat using a lighter or candle flame.
What to Look For:
- Pure Shilajit will melt into a dark liquid without catching fire or releasing smoke.
- Impure Shilajit may catch fire, produce smoke, or emit an unpleasant odour, all of which are red flags.
3. The Elasticity Test
Elasticity is another reliable indicator of Shilajit’s authenticity.
Steps:
- Take a small piece of Shilajit and stretch it gently between your fingers.
What to Look For:
- Genuine Shilajit will stretch like resin. However, it will start to break when pulled too much.
- Fake products may snap easily or feel crumbly and dry.
4. Taste Test (Optional)
If you’re familiar with the natural flavour of Shilajit, a taste test is a quick way to assess purity.
What to Look For:
- Authentic Shilajit has a strong, bitter, and earthy flavour. Sweet or chemically altered tastes usually indicate adulteration.
Where to Buy Authentic Shilajit
To ensure you’re getting pure Shilajit, always buy from reputable brands or retailers that commit to sourcing high-quality products. Look for sellers who provide transparency about their sourcing regions (like the Himalayas) and conduct third-party lab tests for purity and potency. You can consider our shudh shilajit resin as we have lab reports, making us authentic seller of Shilajit.
Essential Tips for Buying Shilajit
- Check lab certifications: Reliable brands test their Shilajit for heavy metals, contaminants, and active compound content.
- Review customer feedback: Positive reviews and testimonials can offer insight into the product’s quality.
- Avoid overly cheap products: Genuine Shilajit is labour-intensive to harvest and doesn’t come at bargain prices.
Benefits of Choosing the Right Shilajit
When you consume pure Shilajit, you unlock a wide range of health benefits, including improved energy, enhanced cognitive function, and boosted immunity. Adulterated or low-quality products, on the other hand, can lead to disappointing results or even health risks.
Taking the Next Step
Now that you know how to identify original Shilajit and test its purity, you’re well-equipped to make an informed decision. Whether you’re purchasing to boost your vitality or improve overall wellness, always prioritise quality over convenience.