How to Incorporate Shilajit into Your Daily Routine
So you've got a jar of shilajit resin. Now what?
The good news is it's easy. One small amount, once a day, stirred into something warm. That's it. This guide covers how much to take, when to take it, seven simple ways to have it, and how resin compares to the other forms.
Haven't got a jar yet? Start with our Himalayan shilajit resin. All you need besides the jar is a small spoon and a warm drink.
How much shilajit should I take?
A serving is a pea-sized amount, about 500mg. That's smaller than most people expect.
Use a small spoon. Scoop out a small amount about the size of a pea. If the resin is firm, warm the spoon under the hot tap first and it'll slide out more easily.
Some people like to start a bit smaller for the first week, about the size of a grain of rice, and build up. Either way, stick to the amount on the label and don't go over it.
A 30g jar holds about 60 servings at that size.
When is the best time to take it?
Whenever you'll remember. Seriously, that's the main thing.
Lots of people take it in the morning, because it's easy to tie to something you already do every day: the first coffee, the morning tea, the glass of water before you leave the house. A habit you attach to an existing routine is a habit that sticks.
Another easy option is to take it with breakfast, stirred into your morning tea or added to a smoothie.
Once a day is plenty. Pick a time, and keep it the same.
How to take shilajit resin, step by step
- Use a small spoon to scoop out a pea-sized amount.
- Drop it into a mug or glass with a bit of warm liquid. Warm, not boiling.
- Stir for 30 seconds to a minute. Real resin dissolves completely and turns the drink a golden to dark amber colour.
- Top up with more liquid if you like, then drink it.
- Put the lid back on tight and store the jar somewhere at room temperature, out of direct sunlight.
If it doesn't dissolve fully and leaves gritty bits, that's a red flag about the product. Ours is independently tested and the certificate is on our Lab Results page.
7 easy ways to take shilajit every day
Shilajit tastes strong. Earthy, a bit smoky, a bit bitter. Some people love it straight. Most people prefer it hidden in something. Here are the easiest ways we know.
1. Warm water
The classic. Dissolve it in a small glass of warm water and drink. Quickest option, and you'll get used to the taste fast.
2. Tea
Black tea, green tea or a herbal tea all work. Stir the resin in once the tea has cooled slightly. A strong black tea covers the taste best.
3. Coffee
A popular one. The earthy notes go well with coffee and you'll barely notice it. Stir it into a splash of hot water first, then add your coffee.
4. Warm milk and honey
Warm a mug of milk or oat milk, stir in the resin and add a teaspoon of honey. Honey and shilajit go together really well. This is close to how it's traditionally taken in Ayurveda, which you can read about in Shilajit and Ayurvedic Medicine.
5. Hot chocolate
Cocoa does a brilliant job of masking the bitterness. Good for the evening if mornings are too rushed.
6. Smoothie
Resin doesn't mix well straight into a cold smoothie. Dissolve it in two tablespoons of warm water first, then add it to the blender. Try banana, oat milk, a spoon of peanut butter and a bit of cocoa.
7. No-bake bites
For a snack you can make in batches: dissolve a few servings in a little warm water, mix with oats, nut butter, honey and cocoa, then roll into small balls. Work out how many balls you make so each one has a single serving in it, and keep them in the fridge.
Resin, liquid, powder or capsules?
Shilajit comes in a few forms. Here's how they compare.
- Resin. The purest, most potent form, and the closest to how it comes off the mountain once it's been cleaned. It's also the easiest to check: real resin softens when warm, hardens when cold and dissolves fully in water. This is what we recommend for everyday use. Shop the resin.
- Liquid. Resin that's already dissolved. Handy if you don't want to measure anything. Our liquid dropper is the option here. Follow the dose on the bottle.
- Capsules. Useful when you're travelling or away from a kettle, or if you want a specific blend. Ours combine shilajit with things like Ashwagandha or Lion's Mane. Follow the dose on the label. For everyday use, resin is still the one to go for.
- Powder. We don't sell it. Powder is hard to check. You can't do the warm-and-soften test, and it's easy to bulk out with fillers. If you see cheap shilajit powder, ask to see a lab certificate.
How to choose good quality shilajit
Before you buy from anyone, check these:
- A lab certificate from a named, accredited lab, with a batch and date on it. Ours is from Huson and Hardwick (Alex Stewart Agriculture) in Liverpool, an ISO 17025 accredited lab. You can read the full certificate (PDF).
- A clear origin. Where was it harvested? Ours is from the Nepal Himalayas, above 16,000ft.
- The texture test. Hard when cold, soft and sticky when warm.
- The water test. Dissolves fully in warm water, no grit.
- A price that makes sense. Proper sourcing and testing cost money. Very cheap shilajit usually cuts corners somewhere.
Our UK Buyer's Guide goes into more detail.
How long does a jar last?
At one pea-sized serving a day, a 30g jar lasts about two months. That works out at roughly 50p a day for a single jar, and less if you buy more at once:
- 1 jar: £29.99, about 2 months
- 2 jars: £49.99, about 4 months
- 3 jars: £69.99, about 6 months
If you take it every day, a bigger bundle means you're not reordering every few weeks, and the cost per day drops.
FAQ
Can I take shilajit on an empty stomach?
Plenty of people take it first thing, before breakfast. If you'd rather have it with food, that's fine too. The main thing is to be consistent.
Can I put shilajit in boiling water?
There's no need. Warm water dissolves it easily. Let the kettle cool for a minute or two first.
My resin has gone hard. Is it OK?
Yes, that's normal. Resin hardens in the cold and softens in the warm. Stand the closed jar in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, or warm the spoon before scooping.
How should I store it?
At room temperature, lid on tight, out of direct sunlight. There's no need to keep it in the fridge. That just makes it harder to scoop.
Can I take shilajit with other supplements or medication?
If you take any medication or have a medical condition, check with your GP first. The same goes if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or under 18.
What does shilajit taste like?
Earthy, smoky and a little bitter. Coffee, hot chocolate or warm milk with honey hide it best.
Ready to start?
Our resin is harvested above 16,000ft in the Nepal Himalayas, sun dried, independently tested in Liverpool and packed in amber glass. Want to know more about where it comes from first? Read The Journey of Shilajit.