The Shilajit market is booming—and so are the deceptions. From inflated fulvic percentages to exotic origin myths, buyers are often left confused or misled. Use this guide to spot the five most common lies and protect your health and wallet.
Lie #1: “Our Shilajit is 75% Fulvic Acid”
Raw, natural Shilajit rarely measures that high. Independent testing that discloses method (e.g., LAMAR) typically finds natural resins around ~5–15% fulvic. Many brands either use loose methods that overcount other organics or borrow numbers from standardized fulvic extracts (e.g., patented concentrates) and pass them off as “raw Shilajit.”
How to spot it: Demand a batch-matched COA that names the fulvic method. If the method isn’t disclosed—or the brand claims “raw Himalayan 75% fulvic”—treat it as marketing, not measurement.
Read: Why “75% Fulvic” Claims Are a Red Flag
Lie #2: “All Shilajit Comes from the Himalayas”
Shilajit forms in multiple mountain ranges (Altai, Caucasus, Tian Shan, parts of the Himalayas). Geography doesn’t guarantee purity—handling, processing, and lab testing do.
How to spot it: Be wary of vague “Himalayan” labels with no traceability or COAs. Origin photos are not proof; lab data is.
Read: Is Shilajit Really from the Himalayas?
Lie #3: “If It’s Sticky, It’s Real”
Texture alone is not proof. Adulterators can mimic stickiness with gums, waxes, or industrial resins. Real Shilajit softens when warm and firms when cool—but you still need solubility and other checks.
How to spot it: Combine texture with simple screens—warm-water dissolution, smell/texture assessment, and cooling elasticity.
Read: What Real Shilajit Tastes Like (and What Fakes Taste Like)
Lie #4: “We Have a COA, So It’s Safe”
Not all COAs are equal. Some are generic (not batch-matched), omit methods, or come from non-accredited labs. Others skip heavy metals or microbial panels. In the worst cases, COAs are recycled or forged.
How to spot it: A trustworthy COA includes: lot/batch matching your jar, named methods (LAMAR or equivalent for fulvic; ICP-MS for metals), microbial results, detection limits, and ISO/IEC 17025 lab accreditation.
Read: How to Test Shilajit Purity at Home (Fast, Reliable Guide)
Lie #5: “Shilajit Works Better with Additives”
Sellers sometimes add herbs, sweeteners, or perfumes to mask poor quality or stretch volume. That complicates testing and can introduce contaminants or allergens.
How to spot it: Check the label—pure products should list one ingredient: Shilajit. No candy flavor, no fragrance.
How to Protect Yourself (Quick Checklist)
- Demand transparency: Batch-specific COAs from accredited labs with methods named.
- Know the norms: Natural resins typically land ~5–15% fulvic; “75%” is either a standardized extract—or a red flag.
- Do simple screens: Warm-water dissolution, odor/texture, and cooling elasticity (then verify with a COA).
- Read beyond buzzwords: “Himalayan,” “ancient,” and “wild-crafted” are not safety tests.
For broader quality frameworks, see the WHO Guidelines for Quality Control of Herbal Materials and USP guidance on elemental impurities.
Why We Built American Grit
American Grit is a proof-first approach: U.S.-sourced fulvic minerals produced via water extraction + fermentation (no harsh solvents, no perfume, no sweetener). Every lot ships with a batch-matched COA showing fulvic %, heavy metals, and microbial safety—with methods disclosed.
Related Reading
- Why “75% Fulvic” Claims Are a Red Flag
- Is Shilajit Really from the Himalayas?
- What Does Real Shilajit Taste Like?
- How to Test Shilajit Purity at Home
- Fulvic Testing Isn’t Standardized: Why the LAMAR Method Matters
No. Real Shilajit should list only one ingredient: Shilajit. Additives like sweeteners, perfumes, or herbs usually signal low quality or adulteration.
No. Raw Shilajit rarely exceeds 5–15% fulvic acid when tested by precise methods like the LAMAR test. Claims of 75% typically mean either a standardized extract or misleading testing.
Not at all. Shilajit forms in multiple mountain ranges. Purity and safety depend on accredited lab testing, not geography.
A batch-matched certificate of analysis (COA) should show fulvic content tested by method (LAMAR or equivalent), ICP-MS heavy metals, microbial results, detection limits, and ISO 17025 lab accreditation.