What's in Shilajit? Fulvic Acid, Humic Acid and Minerals Explained

Shilajit labels love big numbers: 85+ minerals, up to 80% fulvic acid, dozens of compounds. But what's actually in a jar of shilajit, and how much of it is marketing? This guide breaks down what shilajit is made of, in plain language, and shows you how to read the numbers on a label.

What is shilajit made of?

Shilajit forms over hundreds of years as plant matter breaks down inside mountain rock. What's left is a dense mix of organic compounds and minerals. The main parts are fulvic acid, humic acid, trace minerals and a group of smaller compounds. The proportions depend on where the shilajit was collected and how well it was cleaned.

Fulvic acid

Fulvic acid is the compound shilajit is best known for. It's a natural substance formed when plant matter breaks down, and it can bind to minerals. Researchers are interested in how it behaves in the body, but much of that research is still at an early stage. The amount of fulvic acid in shilajit varies widely between sources, so a measured percentage on a lab report is far more useful than a range on a label. Our latest SGS test measured 35% fulvic acid using the ISO 5073:2021 method.

Humic acid

Humic acid is a close relative of fulvic acid, made of larger molecules. It's also formed from decomposed plant matter and makes up another major part of shilajit. Our latest SGS test measured 15% humic acid using the ISO 19822:2018 method.

What minerals are in shilajit?

Shilajit contains a range of naturally occurring minerals, commonly including iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese, along with many other trace elements in very small amounts. You'll often see claims of 80 or 85 or more minerals. That number refers to how many different elements may be present, often in tiny traces, not to large amounts of each one. Shilajit is not a replacement for a balanced diet or a multivitamin.

Dibenzo-alpha-pyrones

Shilajit also contains smaller organic compounds called dibenzo-alpha-pyrones. They're interesting because researchers use them as markers of genuine shilajit, helping to tell it apart from look-alike materials. Few brands test for them, but they're worth knowing about.

What shouldn't be in shilajit?

Because shilajit comes from rock, raw or poorly cleaned material can carry heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. Fakes may contain tar, clay, starch or other fillers. None of these should be in the jar you buy. A heavy metals test with clear detection limits is the only way to know. Our SGS report found none of those four heavy metals at the lab's detection limits.

How to read the numbers on a shilajit label

Fulvic acid. Look for a single measured percentage with a named test method, not a vague range like up to 80%.

Minerals. A mineral count tells you very little on its own. Amounts matter more than the number of elements.

Lab report. Check that the figures on the label match a report from a named, independent lab, with a report number you can verify. Our guide on how to tell if shilajit is real explains what a good report includes.

Is everything in shilajit good for you?

Clean, purified shilajit appears to be well tolerated by most healthy adults, but the research on what each component does in people is still limited. Be wary of brands that list every compound with a dramatic claim attached. Our complete shilajit guide summarises what the human research actually shows, and our article on where shilajit comes from explains how it's cleaned.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For adults 18 years of age and over. Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. If you take any medication or have a health condition, speak to your healthcare professional before use.