For centuries shilajit has been used in folk healing. It has a unique mineral and organic composition. Today it is popular with people who want to improve their health, energy, and fitness. But the popularity of shilajit has led to the appearance of many fake products.
Many are of poor quality, containing different additives. This article describes methods of checking shilajit for authenticity, how to do a shilajit purity test, and what the differences are between fake and original shilajit.
Shilajit: What Is It?
Shilajit is a black-coloured ayurvedic medicine. Use of the product varies depending on its geographical source and processing method. It contains humic substances, including fulvic acid, along with various minerals and other compounds. Some research continues to study its composition, potential benefits and safety.
Shilajit is a traditional medicine in the Himalayas, Altai, Caucasus, and other mountain areas. It is a popular folk remedy to enhance health, sexual function, and physical performance. It is important to know how to check shilajit for its purity and authenticity.
Why Is Shilajit Purity Important?
Shilajit is a naturally sourced material, so its composition and purity can vary between products. Poor-quality or inadequately processed products may contain unwanted contaminants, including excessive levels of certain heavy metals.
How To Know If Shilajit Is Real?
There are many ways to check the authenticity of shilajit. The best is to test it in the laboratory. However, there are a few tricks to help you identify fake shilajit:
See the visuals
It’s a natural product. It is dark in colour, usually black or dark brown. Shilajit is a viscous material that melts when heated up.
Therefore, a high-quality product will have a dark colour and a glossy appearance. Avoid shilajit with an unnatural shine or a sandy surface.
Observe the Texture
The next step is to check the texture of shilajit. A natural remedy becomes softer when warmed and harder when cooled. Genuine shilajit should not be powdery or crumbly. It should have a rather thick consistency, similar to that of resin.
Shilajit is sold in various forms of powder and capsule. The purity of this product is not confirmed. So laboratory testing and ingredient information are more useful indicators.
Taste Test
Even though the taste of shilajit cannot indicate its purity, it can help understand the authenticity of the product. Natural shilajit usually has a bitter taste and a slight smoky flavour. Fake shilajit often has an artificially sweet taste.
Can You Check Shilajit Authenticity at Home?
You can test the product at home physically, but they cannot check the purity of the sample, so they need laboratory testing, which is more reliable.
Water Dissolution Test
One of the easiest ways to check shilajit for purity is to try dissolving it in water. Genuine shilajit will easily dissolve in warm water. The consistency of the solution will be similar to tea.
A natural substance will have a dark reddish-brown colour. If shilajit has a light colour and does not dissolve in water, it is likely to have many impurities.
Heat Test
Another easy way to check shilajit for authenticity is to try warming it. Natural shilajit will soften when heated and become harder when cooled. Genuine shilajit should not emit an unpleasant plastic smell when warmed.
It is better not to use an open flame, as it can damage the natural substance.
The heat test may provide clues about its physical characteristics, but it cannot confirm purity or detect contaminants.
Finger Test
A simple finger test can also help determine the authenticity of shilajit. Take a small amount of the substance between your fingers and warm it slightly. Genuine shilajit will start to adhere to your skin after a few seconds.
The substance should also be smooth and not gritty. If shilajit feels powdery or sandy, it is likely to have many impurities.
Refrigeration Test
Another method of checking shilajit for purity is to put a small amount in the refrigerator. Natural shilajit will harden when cooled and soften when warmed. This test can show whether the substance has an unnatural consistency.
Flame Test
Some sources say you can burn shilajit to determine whether it is real or not. But the process is not accurate, and the fake shilajit can mimic the properties of natural substances. Flame tests are dangerous and can provide false results. The only way to test shilajit for purity is by using other, more reliable means.
Tips: How to Buy Genuine Shilajit
If you do a little research, you can avoid commonly dangerous products. So here are some important tips to keep in mind when buying original shilajit:
- If you buy Shilajit, check the ingredients and manufacturer information.
- Check for laboratory testing or a certificate of analysis (COA).
- Also avoid some products that make exaggerated health or disease-cure claims.
Warning Signs Of Fake Shilajit
For starters, being able to distinguish the fake from the original is vital in buying the best Shilajit. In most cases, fake products have telltale signs that can help one identify them. Here are a few warning signs of fake Shilajit:
- Unreasonably low prices.
- Bright colours.
- Unnatural odours.
- Unnaturally sweet taste.
- Foreign substances in the powder.
- Poor packaging with no information on the manufacturer or expiry date.
- No information on lab tests or certificates.
- Claims that the products can cure a myriad of diseases immediately.
Therefore, when in doubt about the authenticity of Shilajit, always stay away from products with most of the warning signs listed above.
Storing Shilajit: What You Should Know
When it comes to storing shilajit, there are several crucial considerations for maximizing the quality of the product. For instance, the original Shilajit product changes its consistency depending on the prevailing temperatures.
Therefore, here are a few of the best practices when it comes to storing shilajit:
- Always store the shilajit in the original or airtight bottle.
- Make sure to store the product in a dry and cool place away from sunlight.
- Do not store the Shilajit product in the washroom.
- Take the supplement with clean and dry utensils.
- Never leave the Shilajit bottle open when you are not using it.
- Keep the product out of reach of children and pets.
These storage guidelines for Shilajit will help ensure that the product remains safe and of high quality for a relatively long period of time.
Conclusion
Learning how to identify original Shilajit is critical to ensuring that one buys the best Shilajit available. Understanding the things to look for when buying Shilajit resin can help one avoid ordinary and even dangerous wares. When comparing fake vs. original shilajit, it is essential to remember that the real product is naturally sourced, purified, and tested in the laboratory.
Likewise, one should also consider storing their Shilajit products properly to help them retain their quality for a relatively long time.
FAQs
How can I identify the original Shilajit at home?
One can use a few at-home Shilajit tests to determine the authenticity of the product. For instance, one can carry out the water test to determine how fast shilajit dissolves in warm water. Alternatively, one can carry out the touch test, whereby one observes the appearance and texture of the product.
Can I do a Shilajit purity test at home?
Home tests may provide some hints about the physical characteristics of Shilajit, but they do not provide confirmation of purity. Laboratory testing is more reliable.
Where can I buy original Shilajit?
It is best to purchase original Shilajit from trusted manufacturers and reputable retail stores. One should carry out some research on the best potential suppliers that offer safe and high-quality Shilajit products. It is essential to ensure that the targeted supplier offers lab-certified Shilajit products.
Why is it important to choose purified Shilajit?
Shilajit is purified to remove all of the undesired substances, such as heavy metals, dirt, and other impurities. That is why it is so important to check in a lab-tested, purified Shilajit.
Is the colour of shilajit a sign of its quality?
With the colour of Shilajit, we cannot say anything about its quality. Shilajit’s appearance will vary depending on where it comes from and how it has been processed and how long it takes.
How should original shilajit be stored?
Important Information on Storage Pure shilajit retains its best quality and medicinal properties if it is stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, heat, and humidity. After each use, always keep the original shilajit bottle tightly closed in an airtight container to prevent air or moisture from entering.
Does expensive shilajit mean that it is genuine?
Not every expensive Shilajit is genuine; however, some high-priced products undergo lab testing. Nevertheless, it is better to pay attention to the ingredients listed in the product and its review and choose only those brands that have a positive reputation among customers and provide laboratory results.
Is fake shilajit dangerous for health?
Quality and product purification vary, we need to buy a valuable product from a trusted store.
