This document provides information on Shilajatu, including: 1) It introduces Shilajatu as the 5th mineral drug in the Maharasa group and discusses its various names in Sanskrit, Hindi, English and Latin. 2) It describes the sources, classification, occurrence, mineralogical identification and composition of Shilajatu. 3) It discusses the history, types, properties and grahya swarupa (identifying features) of Shilajatu according to ancient Ayurvedic texts. 4) It explains that Shilajatu needs shodhana (purification) before use to avoid side effects, and provides details on the shod

1. SHILAJATU
(BLACK BITUMEN ; ASPHALTUM PUNJABINUM)
Dr.Saranya Sasi
Assistant Professor
PG Department of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum Karnataka

2. INTRODUCTION
 5th mineral drug in maharasa group
 Shilla – rock/mountain ; jatu – laaksha(kind of resin) that trickles
down from the Himalayan mountain regions during summer
 Shilajatu – one which conquers the mountains
 Also called as black bitumen & Asphaltum punjabinum (Sticky
,black, highly viscous liquid etc)
7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 2

3. VERNACULAR NAMES
7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 3
 Sanskrit : Shilajatu, shaileya, shilaja, shilasweda, shilaniryasa,
girija,ashmaja, adrija, ashmalaksha, gaireya
 Hindi : Shilajatu
 English : Mineral pitch or Black bitumen
 Latin : Asphaltum punjabianum

4. SOURCES
7/7/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.Of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 4
सूर्यसन्तापसन्तप्ता: शिला: िैलाशिपस्र् र्द् ।
गाढं मुञ्चशन्त शिर्ायसं तशछिलाजतु कीशतयतम् ॥
िैलाशिपशिलासारो शिगयतो रशितापत: ।
िुष्क: सन्मूतयतां र्ात: शिलाजतु शिगध्र्ते ॥ (RT 22/62-63)
Shilajatu is the exudation caused by the intense heat during summer
from the rocks in the towering of cliffs or hills of Himalaya etc.

5. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 5
CLASSIFICATION
 RRS includes under maharasa
 RT under Misraloha
 Ayurveda prakasha under upadhatu
The exact source of origin of shilajatu is still under controversy

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OCCURRENCE
 Obtained from high mountain rocks, especially in the Himalayan
mountains between India and Nepal at altitudes of 1000 – 2000 mtrs
 During summer month shilajatu is oozing out & melted from high
peaks of rock due to geothermal pressures
 It has been found in Russia, Tibet, Afghanistan & now in north of
chile , named as Andean shilajatu

7. 7/7/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.Of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 7
MINERALOGICAL IDENTIFICATION
Identified as : Black bitumen
Latin Name : Asphaltum punjabinum
Category : Mineral
Colour : Black
Odour : Pungent like cows urine
Specific gravity : 1.01 to 1.03
Solubility : slowly dissolve in water but insoluble in alcohol, ether, and
chloroform

8. 7/7/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.Of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 8
COMPOSITION
• Mainly contain plant source organic complex mineral & trace
elements
• The main active component is fulvic acid – strongest natural
electrolyte

9. 7/7/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.Of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 9
HISTORY
• Reference about shilajatu can be traced back to Samhita period
• Its usage found in all 3 brihattrayi
• Special mention can be traced in the treatment of prameha roga
• Charaka mentioned 4 types of shilajatu. Where , Susruta mentioned
6 types

10. 7/7/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.Of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 10
SYNONYMS
शिलाजतु च िैलेर्ं शिलाजं िैलिातुजम् ।
शिलामर्: शिलास्िेद: शिलाशिर्ायस इत्र्शप ॥
अश्मजं त्िश्मजतुकं शगररजं त्िशिजं तथा।
अश्मोत्थमश्मलाक्षा च गैरेर्ञ्च मतन्तु तत् ॥ (RT 22/60-61)

11. 11
TYPES
1. Acc. to Origin (Satva)
2. Acc. to appearance
3. Acc. to process
 Acc.to Origin
o हेम्िश्च रजतात्ताम्रद्वारं कृष्णार्सादशप । (च.शच 1/3/49)
Swarna Rajata Tamra Loha

12. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 12
o सैिणं राजतं ताम्रं लौहञ्चेशत शिभेदत: ।
शिलाजतु समाख्र्ातं शभषशभभस्तु चतुशियिम् ॥ (र.त 22/64)
Swarna Rajata Tamra Loha Naga Vanga
o शिलाजतु शद्विा ज्ञेर्ं तत्राध्र्ां शगररसंभिम् ।
शद्वतीर्ं स्र्ादूषरार्ां मृशत्तकांजलर्ोगत: ॥ (RJN Vol 2 Chap 1 Pg 75)
Girisambhava – Originated from hills
Usharakhya – Deposited on the surface of kshara mrittika

13. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 13
 Acc.to Appearance
o शिलाजतुशद्वयिा प्रोक्तो गोमूत्राध्र्ो रसार्ि: ।
कपूयरपूियकञ्चान्र्स्तत्राध्र्ो शद्वशिि: पुि: ॥
ससत्िञ्चैि शि:सत्िस्तर्ो: पूिो गुणाशिक: ॥ (र.र.स 2/109)
Gomutragandhi shilajatu (black bitumen) – Sasatva , Nihsatva
Karpuragandhi Shilajatu (Pottassium nitrate)
 Acc.to Process
Bhanutapi (Suryatapi) & Agnitapi

14. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 14
स्िणयगभयशगरेजायतो जपपुष्पशिभो गुरु: ।
रौप्र्गभयशगरेजायतं मिुरं पाण्डुरं गुरु ॥
ताम्रगभयशगरेजायतं िीलिणं घिं गुरु ॥ (RRS 2/111-113)
PROPERTIES

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Swarnaadrija : Originates from mountain rich in gold mineral,
Redddish like Japa pushpa , haeavy
Rajataadrija : Originates from mountain rich in Silver mineral
Mandura, Pandu varna , heavy
Taamraadrija : Originates from mountain rich in copper mineral
bluish in colour, hard and heavy

16. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 16
Swarnagarbha : sheeta guna, Madhura tikta katu rasa, katu vipaka
appears like japakusuma
Rajatagarbha : sheeta guna, pandu varna, tikta rasa
Madhura vipaka
Taamragarbha : tikta rasa, teekshna ushna guna , bluish in colour
Lohagarbha : Tikta, lavana, Kashaya rasa, katu vipaka , sheeta
guru and snigdha guna, blackish colour
RT 22/65-68

17. 7/7/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.Of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 17
GRAAHYA SWAROOPA
पाण्डुरं शसक्ताकारं कपूयराध्र्ं शिलाजतु । (RRS 2/123)
Karpura shilajatu is yellowish white in colour and in sand shape
जत्िाभ मृदुमृत्स्न्िाभं र्न्मलं तशछिलाजतु ॥ (RJN Vol 2 Chap 1 Pg 61)
Shilajatu is soft as mud and looks like resin

18. 7/7/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.Of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 18
GRAAHYA SHILAJATU – CONFIRMATORY TEST
िह्ने शक्षप्तं भिेध्र्त्तशललङ्गाकारमिूमकम् ।
सशललेऽप्र्शिलीिं (अशप अशिलीिं) च तछिुद्धं शह शिलाजतु ॥ (RRS 2/114)
• Burns with an elongated appearance resembling a linga
• Does not produce any fumes on flame
• Shilajatu kept in water, yield spreading streaks
• Has a strong odour of gomutra
• Will dissolve in water (slowly)

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तृणाध्र्भिे कृतं सियमिो गलशत तन्तुित् ॥ (RJN Vol 2 Chap 1 pg64)
When it drops into water, it disperses into fine strains and slowly set
to the bottom

20. 7/7/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.Of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 20
SHODHANA NECESSITY
अिुद्धं दाहमूछिायर्भ्रमशपत्तास्रिोषकृत् ।
शिलाजतु शिित्ते शह मान्ध्र्मभिेश्च शिड्रहम् ॥ (Ayu.Pra 4/105)
Administration of ashudha shilajatu will cause
• Daha (Burning sensation)
• Murcha ( Loss of consciousness)
• Bhrama(Giddiness)
• Raktapitta
• Sosha (Kshaya)
• Agnimandya

21. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 21
SHODHANA
क्षाराम्लगोजलैिैतं िुद्ध्र्त्र्ेि शिलाजतु ॥
शिलािातुं च दुभिेि शत्रफलामाकय िििे: ।
लोहपात्रे शिशिशक्षप्र् िोिर्ेदशत र्त्ित: ॥ (RRS 2/117)
• Thorough washing of shilajatu in any of kshara dravya, amla
dravya, or gomutra
• Washing with godugdha, triphala Kashaya or bringaraja swarasa

22. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 22
• Summer season with no clouds & no strong winds, shilajatu
shodhana should taken up
• More than 1 bigger sized wide mouthed vessel are taken
• 1 vessel  1 P ashudha shilajatu churna
• Added with 2 parts of hot water + ½ p triphala Kashaya
• Mixture is stirred to dissolve the shilajatu
• Placed under hot sun for 1 yama (3 hrs)
• Mixture is mascerated well under sun & filtered into 2nd vessel

23. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 23
• 2nd vessel containing black solution of shilajatu is placed under
hot sun
• Blackish creamy layer surface over the liquid, is carefully
skimmed off into 3rd vessel containing hot water
• Creamy layer in 3rd vessel, again skimmed off into 4th vessel
containing hot water
• Process is continue still the water in the vessel is remains
colorless

24. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 24
• The surfaced blackish layer of shilajatu is skimmed off into a
clean stainless steel tray
• Placed under hot sun & dried

25. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 25
TRIPHALA KASHAYA FOR SHODHANA
शिलाजतु समं क्िाथ: जलमष्टगुणं तत: ।
पादांििेशषत: क्िाथ शिलामर्शििुद्धर्े ॥ (RT 22/79)

26. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 26
• Triphala (equal to shilajatu) + water (8 P)  reduce to ¼th quantity 
filter
• Triphala Kashaya may be replaced with fresh gomutra (RT 22/80) or
bhringaraja swarasa (RT 22/81) & same purification method may be
followed
• Shudha shilajatu may be subjected to bhavana with Kashaya or swarasa of
drugs from vatahara, pittahara & kaphahara gana to attains special potency
to mitigate doshas

27. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 27
• Final filtrate during shilajatu shodhana is taken in wide steel
trays
• Placed under hot sun daily and dried
SURYATAAPI SHILAJATU
AGNITAAPI SHILAJATU
• Final filtrate is placed over mild fire, boiled and reduced to a
thicker consistency & used as agnitaapi

28. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 28
MARANA
शिलर्ा गन्ितालाभर्ां मातुलुङ्गरसेि च ।
पुशितो शह शिलािातुशम्रर्तेऽष्टशगररण्डकै : ॥ (RRS 2/119)
Shudha shilajatu + manashila + gandhaka + haratala  bhavana with
matrulunga swarasa  puta (8 cow dung cakes)  shilajatu bhasma

29. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 29
SATVAPATANA
शपष्ट्िा िािणिगेण साम्लेि शगररसम्भिम् ।
शक्षप्त्िा मूषोदरे रुद्ध्िा गाढैध्मायतं शह कोशकलै: ।
सत्िं मुञ्चेशछिलािातुस्तत्क्षणाललोहसशन्िभम् ॥ (RRS 2/112)
Shudha shilajatu + Dravana varga  bhavana with amla drava  bolus
 moosha  strong heat in koshti  extraction (looks like iron)

30. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 30
PROPERTIES
शिलाजतु गतं शतक्ते शिपाके किुके तथा ।
मूत्रलञ्च शििेषेण र्ोगिाशह रसार्िम् ॥ (RT 22/84)
Shilajatu Varna Rasa Guna
Swarna Japapushpanibha Alpa tikta Guru
Rajata Pandura Tikta Guru
Tamra Neela Tikta Guru

31. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 31
शद्वगुञ्जत: समारभर् िसुगुञ्जशमतं परम् ।
शिलामर्ं प्रर्ुञ्जीत बलकालाध्र्पेक्षर्ा ॥ (RT 22/87)
2 to 8 Ratti (250mg – 1gm)
MATRA
ANUPANA
Madhu, Triphala Kashaya, Gomutra

32. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 32
THERAPEUTIC USES
• Prameha
• Ashmari
• Mutrakrichcha
• Kshaya
• Shwasa
• Gulma
• Arsha
• Kushta

33. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 33
ASHUDHA SHILAJATU SEVANAJANYA DOSHA
(RJN Vol 2 Chapt 1 Pg74)
• Daha, Murchcha, Bhrama, Raktapitta, Agnimandya
DOSHA SHANTI (RJN Vol 2 Chapt 1 Pg75)
• Maricha + Ghrita for 7 days

34. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 34
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS
• Arogyavardhini rasa
• Chandraprabha vati
• Yogaraja rasa
• Shilajatu rasayana
• Shilajatwadi louha
• Shilajatwadi vati

35. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 35
• Rasaratnasamuchaya includes Shilajatu under Maharasa,
Rasatarangini includes under Misraloha and Ayurveda Prakasha
under Upadhatu.
• The exact source of the origin of Shilajatu is still under
controversy.
CONTROVERSIES

36. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 36
• According to Charaka samhita, mountain rocks, which are
abundant in metallic elements like Gold, Silver, Copper and Iron
are heated up in greeshma rutu, then the lac like exudate, which is
soft like clay oozes out and gets dried up by sunrays and is
collected as Shilajatu.
• Based on the metallic composition of the rock from which the
Shilajatu is obtained, it can be of different types as given in the
following table

37. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 37

38. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 38
• Now a day’s, only loha Shilajatu is available and it is having the
similar colour as mentioned in grahya lakshana of Shilajatu.
• Many researchers claim that Shilajatu exuding from the rocks of
mountains is basically derived from vegetative source.
• According to Susrutha Samhita, in the months of sukra -suchi
(May-June) the sap or juice of plants comes out as gummy
exudation from the rocks of mountains due to strong heat of sun.
• Shilajatu is the latex of Asphaltum punjabinum tree.

39. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 39
There are several hypotheses regarding the origin of Shilajatu:
• Some researchers opines that Euphorbia royleana Boiss plants are
responsible for origin of Shilajatu, because this plant has very rich
latex.
• The chemical analysis of Shilajatu by researchers at Banaras
Hindu University in India revealed that humification of some
resin/latex bearing plants is the most likely source of Shilajatu.

40. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 40
• The composition of Shilajatu is influenced by factors such as the
plant-species involved, the geological nature of the rock, local
temperature profiles, humidity and altitude.
• In the present times, Black Bitumen is taken as Gomootragandhi
Shilajatu and Potassium Nitrate as Karpura Shilajatu.

41. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 41
• Shilajatu is considered as Mineral bitumen. Bitumen is a sticky,
black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum.
• The grahya lakshanas explained in classics can be seen in Bitumen
also.

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CONTROVERSIES PERTAINING TO
KARPURA SHILAJATU

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44. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 44

45. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 45
PREVIOUSLY ASKED QUESTIONS(RGUHS)
Long Essays
1.Explain the origin, varieties, tests, shodhana, therapeutic usage and
dose of shilajatu
Short Essays
1.Source, grahya lakshana, shodhana & uses of shilajatu
2.Shilajatu shodhana

46. 7/12/2022 Dr.SaranyaSasi MD(Ayu) Dept.of RSBK SSRAMC & H Inchal Belgaum 46
3. Controversy of shilajatu
4. Write on shilajatu
Short Answers
1. Four uses of shilajatu
2. Identification test of shilajatu
3. Methods of shilajatu shodhana
4. Varities of shilajatu