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This centuries-old resin is reshaping modern wellness culture. From mitochondrial health to trace minerals, here’s why shilajit is suddenly everywhere — and what science and sourcing have to do with it.
Stored in a glass jar sealed with carved wood and tucked into a monochrome box that looks more like it holds a luxury candle than a jar of Himalayan resin, Chuga’s shilajit packaging leans more ritual than routine — a fitting environment for such a prized supplement.
A leader in the emergent category, Chuga’s shilajit is the work of a fifth-generation family versed in the ancient extraction of what locals call “the destroyer of weakness.” Its shilajit is harvested by hand at over 16,000 feet above sea level in the Himalayan mountains.
What is shilajit?
Shilajit is a sticky, tar-like substance that forms over centuries as organic material is compressed within the crevices of high-altitude rocks. Its origins have been subject to debate; researchers have linked it to decomposed plant materials or even animal excrement. But either way, shilajit has been prized by Ayurvedic medicine across the region for hundreds of years, if not more.
Fulvic acid, found in abundance in shilajit, is partly why this mineral-rich substance has come to populate the routines of professional athletes, longevity enthusiasts, and health-conscious consumers.
Chuga’s Shilajit contains more than 85 trace minerals, including fulvic acid, which researchers are studying for its potential roles in nutrient absorption, mitochondrial support, and cognitive performance. “Fulvic acid has been shown to block tau self-aggregation, opening an avenue toward the study of Alzheimer’s therapy,” researchers wrote in the International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
While more large-scale human studies are needed, the existing research suggests shilajit may support energy metabolism, immune function, and recovery from physical exertion. “Shilajit has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, but it’s been making the rounds on TikTok lately thanks to claims that it promotes muscle growth, increases male fertility, and enhances sexual health,” Kim Yawitz, R.D., told Men’s Health. “In fact, many people refer to it as ‘natural Viagra.’”
Chuga leans into those claims carefully. It makes no promises of cures, but underscores its commitment to purity: each batch is lab-tested in U.S. facilities for contaminants and heavy metals. The resin is free of fillers, binders, or synthetic additives. It has been named the number one shilajit by VICE and is favored by athletes and wellness practitioners who prioritize mineral-rich options with third-party testing.
Global demand for shilajit is climbing; analysts at Precedence Research project the market could grow from $208.8 billion in 2025 to more than $450 billion by 2034. In its recent trends report, the Vitamin Shoppe named shilajit one of its top trends of the year. According to the report, searches for shilajit grew by 52 percent, and sales saw a 40 percent increase in Q1.
Is shilajit safe?
Like any supplement, there are risks alongside benefits. While shilajit is generally well-tolerated in clinical trials, researchers in one study analyzed samples of shilajit and found “potentially toxic amounts of heavy metals — including mercury, lead, and chromium — in some of them,” Yawitz says.
There is also the potential for side effects including allergic reactions, blood sugar dysregulation, and GI issues, including nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Experts say it’s always important to talk with your primary care physician before starting a new supplement, especially if you’re already taking any prescription medicine.
Chuga’s commitment to quality
Purity matters, especially in a nascent market where health claims can run rampant. Shilajit harvested or processed without proper care can contain heavy metals or harmful contaminants. That has led to concern among healthcare professionals, especially for vulnerable populations. Experts also warn of fake products because of how difficult it is to harvest.
Chuga appears to be addressing those concerns with a focus on transparency and sourcing. Its resin is ethically harvested by a family with more than one hundred years of generational expertise. The lab reports are publicly available, and the resin itself is uncut and undiluted. That commitment to process has helped Chuga carve out a niche among consumers wary of wellness gimmicks. It positions itself for people who read the fine print and want their supplements to match the integrity of their health goals.
And while the jar may be beautiful, the substance inside remains earthy and unassuming. Shilajit, even in its most refined form, is still a raw, unprocessed material. The appeal lies not in its aesthetics, but in its potential.
Researchers are still uncovering how its components interact with the body. “We’d need quite a few more high-quality studies to know for sure if there’s any benefit to taking shilajit,” Yawitz says.
Maybe that’s the point. Like the resin itself, which takes hundreds, even thousands of years, to form, the value of shilajit lies in its resilience.
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