Shilajit can be used for a good number of purposes, but, in recent years, it has risen in popularity for its gut restoring properties.
As we now understand that digestive health is critically important for our overall health, the use of Shilajit, and its derivatives, has become very widespread.
What Is Shilajit?
Shilajit is a naturally occurring substance, often found in mountainous regions, in remote parts of the world. It is made up of heavily decomposed plants, insects and other creatures. When it oozes from cracks in rock structures, Shilajit possesses a tar-like consistency. But, owing to its many benefits, Shilajit can be bought for supplemental purposes in various forms.
Shilajit carries an electrical charge, which is one of the reasons it is so detoxifying. This means, however, that it must not come into contact with metal. Using a metal spoon to scoop Shilajit Powder will negate the detoxifying negative charge.
Shilajit Products
The most natural form of Shilajit for supplementation is Shilajit Powder. However, it is possible to buy Shilajit in capsule, pill and fluid forms.
The processes involved in producing more heavily processed forms of Shilajit often intentionally remove certain constituents. These processes can make the end product more palatable, and result in a product that specifically targets particular issues.
Shilajit, in its natural and powdered form, is a broad-spectrum product that can benefit our natural health in many different ways.
Shilajit is most commonly used for digestive health, and for remineralisation purposes.
*Increasing numbers of us are filtering our water without realising the need to remineralise it. Consequently, many of us are chronically dehydrated.
Shilajit can be used to remineralise our bodies.
Organic lemon juice is also an ideal ingredient for remineralising our water.
Shilajit Health Benefits
As Shilajit contains complex minerals, and fulvic and humic acids, it is extremely highly regarded in Eastern healing traditions. It also contains a good amount of carbon, which is also deeply beneficial.
Shilajit is excellent for the following:
- Digestive health
- Immune function
- Building stamina
- Hormonal health
- Improving brain function
- Reducing inflammatory autoimmune conditions
Shilajit For Gut Health
The carbon content of Shilajit is critically important for digestive function. The primary reason for this is that the carbon in Shilajit allows the friendly flora in our digestive system to communicate with each other.
The good bacteria found in our gut, along with the fungal and viral communities that also reside in our digestive tract, are collectively referred to as microbiota.
The microbiota, which are vital for digestion and immune function, are generally referred to as the microbiome.
Another way in which carbon helps to restore digestive health is because of its ability to promote tight junction integrity. The gut lining is only one cell thick, with each cell creating a tight junction with the next, as they stand side by side. These tight junctions can be compromised by all sorts of insults.
For example, eating wheat promotes a zonulin response, which in turn compromises the tight junctions of the gut. Also, the consumption of aspirin cause intestinal bleeding, and NSAIDs, like Ibuprofen, equally compromise gut health. So, the ability of carbon to restore integrity to the gut lining is a vitally important function of Shilajit.
When we have a compromised gut lining, we develop a condition known as Leaky Gut, which compromises our health at a fundamental level.
Shilajit is also very mineral rich, helping to restore the critically important mineral balance within our bodies. Minerals are needed for every important function and process within the body.
Without proper mineral balance we can become morbidly dehydrated. When I lived in India, in the 1990s, dehydration was the primary cause of death, nationwide.
Minerals are vitally important for sleep. As we heal when we are asleep, a healthy sleep routine is even more important than a healthy diet!
To understand the importance of minerals and sleep, please read Sleep Issues & The Mineral Connection.
Shilajit & Binders
*It is important to take binders when using Shilajit. This is because binders neutralise the toxins that are mobilised due to your Shilajit consumption.
I advocate the use of the following binders:
*Activated Charcoal can also be used acutely, for a few days. It is extremely efficient at ridding the body of toxicity. However, it must not be used consistently, as it also robs the body of important minerals.
Consequently, Activated Charcoal is best reserved for times of excessive toxic exposure, and digestive infection. It is particularly effective for mycotoxins and heavy metal removal.
For a more comprehensive overview, you can visit the Wild As The Wind Shilajit product page. Please also read the Cautions & Contraindications section before use.
More can be learned about Zeolite Clay and the combined Zeolite & Bentonite Clay product, on their respective product pages. Please use the links provided above.
Shilajit Derivative Products
One of the best products made from Shilajit is a product which has been developed by Dr. Zach Bush.
Naturally, this is a carbon based product, containing fulvic and humic acid, which is excellent for digetive health. It is called ION Gut
ION Gut is a new generation, earth-derived supplement. It is not a probiotic. It is not a prebiotic. Rather, it is a carbon rich, alkaline liquid, with lignite derived trace organics and essential trace amino acids, that promotes an optimal environment in the gut. Research has shown ION Gut support[s] the tight junction cells of the gut lining.
