Reviewed by Sarah Law, Dip CNM, Naturopathic Nutritionist
Can Shilajit Boost Testosterone? Reviewing the Clinical Evidence
- Shilajit is a Himalayan resin rich in fulvic acid and trace minerals, traditionally used in Ayurveda as a tonic.
- A small number of human trials have examined shilajit's effect on testosterone markers, with the most cited being a 2016 placebo-controlled study [1].
- The evidence base is limited and early; researchers consistently call for larger, longer trials before firm conclusions can be drawn.
- Quality matters: purified, standardised, third-party tested capsules are preferable to raw resin of unknown purity.
- Shilajit is a food supplement, not a treatment for low testosterone. Sleep, training, nutrition and body composition remain the foundations of healthy hormones.
Testosterone influences energy, motivation, strength, recovery and mood, and levels tend to drift down slowly with age. With more men looking for natural options, shilajit has drawn growing interest, partly because of a handful of human studies that set it apart from ingredients backed only by animal data. So what does the research actually show, and how should you read it? This article reviews the published evidence rather than making any promises about what shilajit will do for you.
A Note from Ben, Founder of Love Life Supplements
I was sceptical of testosterone claims for years, and I still am of most of them. What made shilajit worth stocking was not marketing, it was seeing human trials on a purified, standardised extract rather than the usual animal studies. That is why we chose MEET Shilajeet® for our capsules.
I want to be honest about what this means: the research is early and limited, and a supplement is never a substitute for sleep, training and good food. I take one capsule most mornings as a foundation piece, not as a magic bullet. Read the evidence below and make your own mind up.
Stay curious, stay sceptical,
Ben Law
Founder, Love Life Supplements
What Is Shilajit?
Shilajit is a natural exudate found on high mountain rock faces, especially in the Himalayas, formed over centuries from compressed plant and mineral matter. In classical Ayurvedic texts it is described as a rasayana, or rejuvenating tonic. Modern analyses focus on its fulvic and humic substances alongside a broad spectrum of trace minerals such as magnesium, zinc and iron. For a fuller introduction, see our Beginner's Guide to Shilajit.
It is sold as sticky resin, loose powder, and encapsulated extracts. Purified, standardised capsules are the most consistent and practical option, because raw resin can vary in composition and may contain contaminants if it has not been properly refined.
What the Human Research Has Examined
A placebo-controlled trial in healthy men
The most frequently cited human study is a 90-day, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in healthy adult men using a purified, standardised shilajit extract [1]. The researchers reported statistically significant changes in total and free testosterone markers in the shilajit group compared with placebo, and the extract was well tolerated. It is one trial in a healthy population, so while it is useful peer-reviewed human data, it is not the final word.
Why does this study get cited so often? Because it tested a defined, standardised material in people, not in animals, and reported its methods. When a product matches the material used in a study, it is easier to interpret what the research means. We cover how to assess extract quality and standardisation in the Shilajit Buyer's Guide.
Male fertility and reproductive markers
Earlier human work examined men with reduced fertility and reported improvements in sperm parameters and related hormone markers over 90 days [2]. That is a different population from healthy men, so the findings do not transfer directly, but it adds to the picture that purified shilajit has been studied in people rather than only in laboratory models.
How to read this evidence
Reviews of the wider literature note shilajit's antioxidant activity and possible endocrine effects, while consistently calling for larger and longer trials across more diverse groups [3]. The honest summary is that the human evidence is promising but limited. Anyone trying shilajit should treat it as an area of ongoing research, choose a standardised extract that has been studied in humans, and take it consistently for a full trial period before drawing personal conclusions.
The shilajit discussed in this review
Purified, standardised & third-party tested
Shilajit Capsules
600mg MEET Shilajeet® per capsule · standardised to 60% fulvic acid · GMP made · third-party tested for heavy metals · vegan
✓ Standardised extract✓ 60% fulvic acid✓ GMP made✓ Third-party tested
Proposed Mechanisms: How Shilajit Is Thought to Work
Hormone production depends on cellular energy, mineral cofactors and healthy cell signalling. Researchers have proposed that shilajit may touch several of these areas. These are proposed pathways under investigation, not established outcomes:
- Mitochondrial energy support. Testosterone synthesis is energy-intensive, and fulvic acid has been studied for its role in supporting mitochondrial function.
- Mineral delivery. Zinc and magnesium are involved in normal hormone production. Fulvic substances can form complexes with minerals, which researchers have suggested may aid their transport.
- Antioxidant activity. Oxidative stress can affect the cells involved in hormone production, and shilajit has demonstrated antioxidant capacity in studies [3].
- Stress adaptation. Shilajit is traditionally used as an adaptogen, and chronic stress is known to affect the hormonal environment.
For more on the energy side specifically, see Shilajit and Energy: How Fulvic Acid Powers Your Mitochondria.
How Shilajit Compares to Other Options
Many ingredients are marketed around testosterone, but few have peer-reviewed human trials on a defined, standardised material. The table below is a general comparison of how these ingredients are most commonly studied, not a ranking of effectiveness.
| Ingredient | Most studied for |
|---|---|
| Shilajit | Antioxidant activity, energy metabolism; a small number of human trials on hormone markers |
| Ashwagandha | Stress and sleep, which may indirectly affect wellbeing |
| Creatine | Strength and power output in muscle, not endocrine function |
| Tribulus / fenugreek | Mixed and often lower-quality evidence |
Shilajit's distinguishing feature is that it brings together several proposed mechanisms and has been examined in human trials on a specific standardised extract. That raises interest, but it does not guarantee an individual result.
"With shilajit, my advice to clients is to separate the tradition and the marketing from the actual data. There are a couple of genuinely interesting human trials, but the evidence base is small. I treat it as a well-tolerated, mineral-rich supplement worth trying consistently, while keeping expectations realistic and never using it in place of proper medical investigation if someone suspects low testosterone."
— Sarah Law, Naturopathic Nutritionist & Functional Practitioner | Optimised Female
If You Choose to Try Shilajit
Human studies commonly use around 250 to 500 mg per day of a purified, standardised extract over an 8 to 12 week period. Our Shilajit Capsules provide 600 mg of MEET Shilajeet® standardised to 60% fulvic acid; follow the directions on the label and seek professional advice if you have a medical condition or take medication.
Timing is flexible. Many people take shilajit in the morning, others after training. Consistency matters more than timing, and the research timeframe suggests reassessing after roughly 12 weeks rather than expecting anything immediate.
Safety, Purity and Testing
Purity is the most important safety consideration. Unrefined resins can contain heavy metals or microbial contamination, so choose products that are manufactured under GMP and publish third-party test results. MEET Shilajeet® is standardised for fulvic acid content and batch-tested for contaminants, and was well tolerated in the published human trials [1]. For a practical checklist on labels and certificates of analysis, use the Shilajit Buyer's Guide.
Setting Realistic Expectations
If you are healthy with normal baseline hormones, it is sensible not to expect dramatic changes. Nutritional support tends to help people edge toward their own optimum rather than transform it. Sleep, training, protein intake and body composition all strongly influence hormones, and shilajit is at most one small part of a well-built routine, not a replacement for any of them. For a broader view of shilajit beyond this one question, read the Shilajit Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Science guide.
FAQs
What does the research say about shilajit and testosterone?
A small number of human trials on purified shilajit have reported changes in testosterone markers over roughly 90 days, most notably a 2016 placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers [1]. The evidence base is limited, so this should be read as preliminary research, not a guaranteed outcome.
How is shilajit thought to work?
Proposed pathways include fulvic acid supporting mitochondrial energy, delivery of trace minerals such as zinc and magnesium, antioxidant activity and adaptogenic effects on stress. These are under investigation rather than established.
What dose is used in the research?
Human trials commonly use around 250 to 500 mg per day of a purified, standardised extract. Always follow the product label and consult a professional if you take medication or have a condition.
Is shilajit safe to take daily?
Purified, standardised, third-party tested shilajit was well tolerated in the published trials. Avoid raw resin of unknown purity. Always follow label directions.
Can shilajit replace medical treatment for low testosterone?
No. Shilajit is a food supplement, not a medicine, and is not a treatment for low testosterone or any condition. If you are concerned about your hormone levels, speak to your GP, who can arrange testing.
Does shilajit work for women?
The testosterone research focuses on men. Women may be interested in shilajit for its mineral content, but anyone pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication should seek professional advice first. See our Beginner's Guide.
References
- Pandit S et al. Clinical evaluation of purified shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia 2016. PubMed
- Biswas TK et al. Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed shilajit in oligospermia. Andrologia 2010. PubMed
- Carrasco-Gallardo C et al. Shilajit: a natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity. Int J Alzheimers Dis 2012. PubMed
References verified June 2026. This article reports published research and does not constitute a health or medicinal claim.
Want a purified, standardised shilajit that matches the material used in the research?
About the Reviewer — Sarah Law, Dip CNM
Sarah Law is a Certified Naturopathic Nutritionist and Functional Practitioner specialising in hormonal health, gut health, and evidence-based nutrition. She holds a Diploma in Naturopathic Nutrition from the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM, London) and is a Certified Functional Health Coach. Sarah combines naturopathic principles with modern functional nutrition science to help her clients make informed health decisions.
About the Author — Ben Law
Ben Law is the founder of Love Life Supplements and host of the Optimised Health Show. A qualified Advanced Dietary Supplement Advisor and Primal Blueprint Certified Expert, he advocates for science-backed, transparent manufacturing and premium ingredients tested for purity. Over the last decade he has helped thousands of UK customers optimise performance and recovery with formulations made to UK GMP and BRC standards.