Can Shilajit Boost Testosterone? Reviewing the Clinical Evidence

Testosterone is central to male vitality. It influences energy, motivation, strength, recovery, mood and body composition. Levels tend to decline slowly with age, but modern stress, poor sleep and low nutrient intake can speed that decline. With more men looking for natural support, interest in Shilajit has grown quickly. It is a traditional Ayurvedic tonic that modern research is now examining for hormone effects. The key question is simple: can Shilajit actually boost testosterone in a meaningful, measurable way?

In this review, we look at the clinical evidence, how Shilajit may work, how it compares to popular alternatives, and how to use it correctly. If you want a wider overview of benefits beyond hormones, see the Shilajit Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Science guide and the Beginner’s Guide to Shilajit.

What exactly is Shilajit

Shilajit is a natural exudate that appears on high mountain rock faces, especially in the Himalayas. It forms over centuries from layers of plant material and minerals, transformed by heat, pressure and microbial activity. In classical texts it is classed as a rasayana, a rejuvenator used for stamina, recovery and longevity. Modern analyses focus on fulvic acid and humic substances, plus a wide spectrum of trace minerals like magnesium, zinc and iron. These compounds are believed to support cellular energy, antioxidant defences and hormone balance.

You will find Shilajit sold as sticky resin, as loose powder and as encapsulated extracts. For safety and consistency, purified and standardised Shilajit capsules are the most practical option. Raw resin can vary in composition and may contain contaminants if not properly purified. If you are new to the ingredient, read our Beginner’s Guide first.

The clinical evidence for testosterone

Randomised, placebo controlled trial on MEET Shilajeet®

The best current evidence comes from a 90 day trial in healthy adult men, randomised and placebo controlled, using a purified, standardised Shilajit extract (Chauhan 2023). Participants took 500 mg per day of MEET Shilajeet®, a branded extract that is standardised for fulvic acid content and produced under GMP. Compared to placebo, men receiving Shilajit showed statistically significant increases in total testosterone and free testosterone. Measures of vitality and wellbeing also improved, with good overall tolerance and no serious adverse events reported.

This single study does not settle the entire question, but it provides rare, peer reviewed human data on a specific extract. In nutrition, this matters. Many supplements are supported only by animal data or by trials that do not report standardisation. When you can match your product to the exact material used in a clinical study, your expectations for a real world result are stronger. We break down how to evaluate extract quality and standardisation in the Shilajit Buyer’s Guide.

Male reproductive health and fertility markers

Earlier human work also suggests benefits for sperm parameters. A study in men with infertility reported improvements in sperm count, motility and testosterone after 90 days (Pandit 2010). This is a different population to healthy men, but it supports the idea that purified Shilajit can influence reproductive metrics in real people, not just in animal models.

Reviews of the broader literature highlight Shilajit’s antioxidant capacity and potential endocrine effects, with authors calling for larger, longer trials in diverse groups (Aggarwal 2010). Until more data arrives, the best approach is to choose a standardised extract that has been studied in humans and to take it consistently for a full trial period.

How Shilajit may support testosterone

Hormone synthesis draws heavily on cellular energy, mineral cofactors and healthy cell signalling. Shilajit appears to touch each of these areas.

• Mitochondrial energy support. Testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells is energy intensive. Fulvic acid can help preserve mitochondrial function and support ATP production, which may indirectly aid steroidogenesis.
• Mineral delivery. Zinc and magnesium are essential for hormone production and regulation. Fulvic substances can form complexes with minerals, which may improve cellular transport and bioavailability.
• Antioxidant protection. Oxidative stress can damage Leydig cells in the testes. Shilajit provides antioxidant activity that helps reduce this burden, supporting healthy hormone signalling.
• Stress adaptation. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol can depress testosterone. As an adaptogen, Shilajit may help moderate stress responses so that the hormonal environment is more favourable.

For a deeper look at energy pathways and mitochondria, read Shilajit and Energy: How Fulvic Acid Powers Your Mitochondria.

How Shilajit compares to other options

Many products claim to boost testosterone. Few have peer reviewed human trials with a defined, standardised extract. Ashwagandha is excellent for stress, sleep and mood, which can support hormones indirectly, but it is not primarily studied as a testosterone booster in healthy men. Creatine supports ATP output in muscle and performance, not endocrine function. Botanicals like tribulus and fenugreek have mixed evidence and often rely on old or low quality trials.

Shilajit’s value is that it provides a convergence of mechanisms, and that there is a human trial on a specific material. This does not mean it will work for everyone, but it raises confidence that a fair trial with the right extract can produce meaningful results. If you want a simple, research aligned option, standardised Shilajit capsules are a sensible starting point.

How to take Shilajit for testosterone

The Chauhan study used 500 mg per day of purified extract for 90 days. Our Shilajit capsules deliver 600 mg MEET Shilajeet® per capsule, standardised to 60 percent fulvic acid. Take one capsule per day to mirror the trial. Some users take two capsules per day if they want the upper end of the common range, 600 to 1200 mg, although you should always follow label directions and seek professional advice if you have a medical condition.

Timing is flexible. Many people take Shilajit in the morning for steady energy, others take it post workout. Consistency is key. Evaluate how you feel after four weeks and plan to reassess at twelve weeks, which is the time frame used in most research.

Safety, purity and testing

Purity is the most important safety factor. Unrefined resins can contain heavy metals or microbial contamination. Always choose brands that publish third party test results and manufacture under GMP. MEET Shilajeet® is standardised for fulvic acid content and is tested for heavy metals and other contaminants. In the 90 day human trial it was well tolerated with no serious adverse events reported (Chauhan 2023).

For a practical checklist on what to look for on labels and certificates of analysis, use the Shilajit Buyer’s Guide.

What results to expect and how to set expectations

If you are healthy and your baseline testosterone is normal, do not expect pharmaceutical level changes. Nutritional support tends to help people move toward their personal optimum. When Shilajit works well, users usually report better morning energy, improved training drive, steadier mood and a general sense of vitality after several weeks. In research settings, measurable changes in testosterone typically appear after eight to twelve weeks of daily use, not overnight.

Remember that nutrition, sleep, training and body composition all influence hormones. Shilajit is not a replacement for these foundations. It can be a useful addition to a well built routine. For a broader understanding of what Shilajit can do outside of hormones, read the Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Science pillar article.

References

• Chauhan A, et al. 2023. Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit (MEET Shilajeet®) on testosterone and vitality in healthy men. IJTSRD. Full text
• Pandit S, et al. 2010. Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit in infertile men. Andrologia. PubMed
• Aggarwal BB, et al. 2010. Shilajit: A natural phytocomplex with potential for clinical use. Phytotherapy Research. PubMed
• Bhattacharya SK, et al. 2001. Antioxidant activity of Shilajit in brain function. Phytotherapy Research. PubMed

Accessed and current August 2025. References include peer reviewed journals and human clinical research where available.

Ready to try Shilajit

If you want a simple, research aligned way to test the hormone related benefits, our Shilajit capsules deliver 600 mg MEET Shilajeet® per serving, standardised to 60 percent fulvic acid, manufactured under GMP and third party tested for purity.

👉 Shop Shilajit Capsules Now