Shilajit side effects and who should not use it

Short answer: The small human studies that tracked side effects, lasting 4 to 14 weeks, reported no serious side effects of shilajit. One study did mention mild complaints that went away by themselves, such as spots, itching and stomach complaints. That says little about rare side effects or years of use, because those studies were small and short. The biggest known risk lies in contaminated or adulterated products. Do not use shilajit without checking first if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have high blood pressure. It is not intended for children.

Last updated: 5 November 2026 · Written by Florian Fermin

Shilajit (mumijo, Asphaltum punjabianum) is a resin-like substance from high mountains that you buy as resin or in capsules. At GOYU we sell it ourselves, so we think you should know what is and isn't known about its safety. What shilajit is and what research says about its effects is explained in what is shilajit and what to look out for.

What side effects does shilajit have?

There are no known side effects that occur often and are well established. In the studies with a placebo group, side effects were no more common than with placebo. In one small study without a placebo group, 7 of the 25 men reported mild complaints that went away by themselves: spots, rash, itching, upper abdominal pain, indigestion, cough and a raised temperature. The researchers rated rash, cough and raised temperature as possibly caused by shilajit and the rest as unlikely (Yadav et al., 2026). The following is also known:

• One case report of a pregnant woman who developed high blood pressure and low potassium after months of mumijo.
• Products that are contaminated or adulterated, for example with mineral oil, caramel or heavy metals.
• Laboratory research showing that substances from shilajit can change the absorption of a medicine.
• An animal study with a single high dose in which liver and kidney tissue changed.

Below you can read what exactly was found for each point.

What do human studies say about side effects?

The studies are small and lasted 4 to 14 weeks. These studies reported something about safety or side effects:

A review calls shilajit safe based on animal and human research (Stohs, 2014). Be realistic about that, though: studies with a few dozen participants over a few months will not pick up rare side effects, and most studies used one specific, purified extract. Whether that also applies to every product in the shops, you cannot tell from them. The German consumer organisation Verbraucherzentrale considers its safety insufficiently studied, especially in pregnant women, children and people with a chronic condition (Verbraucherzentrale, 2026).

Can shilajit raise your blood pressure?

There is one case report about this. A 37-year-old pregnant woman had used mumijo for months and developed persistently high blood pressure and low potassium. The doctors compared the picture to what too much liquorice can cause. After stopping the mumijo and taking extra potassium, this recovered (Stavropoulos et al., 2018).

It is a single case, so you cannot say how often this happens. In a 2003 study, blood pressure in healthy adults did not change after 45 days of 2 grams of shilajit a day (Sharma et al., 2003). Do you have high blood pressure, take water tablets or blood pressure medication, or are you pregnant? Then check with your GP first.

Shilajit and medication: is there an interaction?

This has not been studied in humans. It is known that humic acids, which are found in shilajit, can bind substances. In a laboratory study, humic acid from shilajit changed how well the epilepsy medicine carbamazepine dissolved and was absorbed through rat intestinal tissue (Mirza et al., 2010). Whether this also happens in your body with carbamazepine or other medicines is not known. The Verbraucherzentrale therefore writes that interactions with medication cannot be ruled out.

If you take medication, especially medicines where the dose has to be exactly right, check with your GP or pharmacist first.

Can contaminants cause side effects?

Yes, and in our view that is where the biggest risk lies. Shilajit comes from rock and can contain heavy metals. In samples from India and Pakistan, researchers found lead, arsenic and mercury, among others, above common limits (Aldakheel et al., 2021). In 2026 the German government lab CVUA Stuttgart found no excess heavy metals in 12 products, but did find strikingly high levels of mineral oil in 4 products. One product was judged unsafe because of aromatic mineral oil (MOAH) (CVUA Stuttgart, 2026).

You reduce this risk by choosing a product with a CoA per batch. What to look for on that CoA is explained in shilajit quality: lab tests and real or fake.

What do we know from animal research?

In a 2026 rat study, all animals survived a single high dose of shilajit, but the researchers did see mild to moderate changes in liver and kidney tissue. They consider research into long-term use necessary (Rizun et al., 2026). Animal research does not say much directly about humans, but it is a reason to stick to the dose on the label.

Who should not use shilajit?

Our labels also state literally: "Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Consult your doctor before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition."

How much shilajit per day is safe?

There is no official maximum amount. The studies above used 200 mg to 2 grams a day. Stick to the label of your own product, because shilajit resin and extracts differ greatly. For our products:

• Shilajit Resin: a pea-sized amount (about 100 mg), 1 to 2 times a day, dissolved in a warm drink.
• Shilajit Extract Capsules (5% Fulvic Acid) 500 mg: 2 capsules, 1 to 2 times a day, preferably with or just after a meal.

Do not use several shilajit products at the same time. Step by step, with tips on dissolving and storage: how to take shilajit resin.

What should you do if you get complaints?

Do you get complaints you don't recognise after starting shilajit? Stop and contact your GP. Mention which product you used and how much. In the Netherlands you can also report a suspected side effect to the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb.

Summary in 3 points

• Small studies lasting 4 to 14 weeks reported no serious side effects of shilajit, though occasionally mild complaints. Little is known about rare side effects and long-term use.
• The biggest known risk is contaminated or adulterated products. Choose a product with a CoA per batch and stick to the label.
• Do not use without checking first if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have high blood pressure. Not for children.

Frequently asked questions

Is shilajit bad for your liver or kidneys?

In human studies, liver and kidney values stayed the same, but those studies were small and short. In a rat study with a single high dose, researchers did see changes in liver and kidney tissue. If you have liver or kidney problems, check with your GP first.

Can I use shilajit while pregnant?

There is no research on this, and there is a report of a pregnant woman who developed high blood pressure and low potassium after months of mumijo. So do not use shilajit without checking with your GP or midwife.

Can shilajit cause stomach complaints?

It can. In one small study, 1 of the 25 participants reported mild upper abdominal pain and 1 indigestion; both went away by themselves. Without a placebo group you cannot tell whether this was due to shilajit. According to our label, take shilajit with or just after a meal. If the complaints persist, stop and check with your GP.

Can I combine shilajit with ashwagandha or other supplements?

This has not been studied. If you combine supplements, stick to the label of each product and also read the warnings of the other supplement. For ashwagandha, they are in ashwagandha: effects and what to look for.

Sources

1. Sadeghi SMH, Hosseini Khameneh SM, Khodadoost M, et al. Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 160 people with a broken shinbone, 500 mg mumijo twice a day for 28 days. J Altern Complement Med. 2020;26(6):521-528. doi:10.1089/acm.2019.0453. PubMed 32310691
2. Das A, El Masry MS, Gnyawali SC, et al. Study of 14 weeks of shilajit in healthy middle-aged women. J Am Coll Nutr. 2019;38(6):526-536. doi:10.1080/07315724.2018.1564088. PubMed 31161927
3. Das A, Datta S, Rhea B, et al. Study of 8 weeks of shilajit, followed by 4 weeks of shilajit with exercise, in adults with overweight. J Med Food. 2016;19(7):701-709. doi:10.1089/jmf.2016.0010. PubMed 27414521
4. Biswas TK, Pandit S, Mondal S, et al. Uncontrolled study of 90 days of shilajit in men with a low sperm count. Andrologia. 2010;42(1):48-56. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0272.2009.00956.x. PubMed 20078516
5. Yadav D, Mishra S, Shah KM, et al. Open-label pilot study without a control group of 28 days of shilajit resin in 25 healthy men. Cureus. 2026;18(1):e102372. doi:10.7759/cureus.102372. PubMed 41613504
6. Sharma P, Jha J, Shrinivas V, et al. Study of 45 days of 2 grams of shilajit a day and blood values in healthy adults. Anc Sci Life. 2003;23(2):114-119. PubMed 22557121
7. Stohs SJ. Review of the safety and research of shilajit. Phytother Res. 2014;28(4):475-479. doi:10.1002/ptr.5018. PubMed 23733436
8. Stavropoulos K, Sotiriadis A, Patoulias D, et al. Case report of a pregnant woman with high blood pressure and low potassium after using mumijo. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2018;34(12):1019-1021. doi:10.1080/09513590.2018.1480713. PubMed 29933704
9. Mirza MA, Agarwal SP, Rahman MA, et al. Laboratory study of humic acid from shilajit and the solubility and absorption of carbamazepine. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2011;37(3):310-319 (online 2010). doi:10.3109/03639045.2010.512011. PubMed 20815797
10. Aldakheel RK, Gondal MA, Alsayed HN, et al. Laboratory study of metals in shilajit from India and Pakistan. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2022;200(9):4199-4216 (online 2021). doi:10.1007/s12011-021-03014-4. PubMed 34800280
11. Güneri M, et al. Shilajit - der neueste Sh*t. CVUA Stuttgart, 29 April 2026 (study of 12 products). cvuas.de
12. Rizun N, Stanković V, Bradić J, et al. Animal study of a single high dose of shilajit in rats. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2026;19(9):1486. doi:10.3390/ph19091486. PubMed 42797531
13. Verbraucherzentrale. Mumijo bei Darmproblemen? Updated 13 October 2026. verbraucherzentrale.de
14. European Commission. Novel Food Catalogue: Asphaltum punjabianum (shilajit, mumijo), "not novel in food supplements" (POL-NF-00522), accessed 5 November 2026. ec.europa.eu
15. GOYU, product pages of Shilajit Resin and Shilajit Extract Capsules (5% Fulvic Acid) 500 mg (directions for use and warning), accessed 5 November 2026.

All our forms are on the page buy shilajit.

This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If in doubt, or if you are pregnant or taking medication, consult your GP or pharmacist.