When Should You Take Shilajit? The Optimal Time for the “Destroyer of Weakness”

Have you heard about Shilajit and want to try this ancient Ayurvedic super supplement? But when is the best time to take it - morning, afternoon or evening?

Shilajit has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine for a wide range of health benefits. Known as the “destroyer of weakness,” Shilajit contains over 80 minerals and trace elements that can help restore energy, vitality and wellbeing.

What is Shilajit?

Shilajit is a thick, tar-like substance that oozes from between rocks in mountain ranges across Asia. It’s formed from slowly decomposing plants and minerals over the course of hundreds of years.

Harvesting high-quality Shilajit is very labor intensive, which is why authentic Shilajit can be expensive. But many feel it’s worth it for the extensive health and wellness perks.

So when should you take Shilajit to harness the full power of this rejuvenating adaptogen? Let’s discuss.

The Best Time of Day to Take Shilajit

According to Ayurvedic wisdom, the optimal time to take Shilajit is in the early morning on an empty stomach.

Why early morning? Taking Shilajit first thing when you rise before eating or drinking anything else gives it the chance to be readily absorbed by your body.

It’s advised to put a small pea-sized dose of Shilajit under your tongue and let it dissolve slowly rather than swallowing it right away.

Letting Shilajit linger under your tongue enables the potent compounds to enter your bloodstream sublingually through the thin membranes there.

Key Reasons to Take Shilajit in the AM:

• Boosts energy - Shilajit gives you an energy boost to start your day off right
• Supports digestion - Taking it on an empty stomach may aid digestion
• Absorbs better - Sublingual administration enables better absorption
• Highest concentration - Your morning dose hits your bloodstream rapidly
• Sets your rhythm - Taking Shilajit consistently helps regulate your circadian cycles

So in summary, taking your daily Shilajit dose early in the morning on an empty stomach is the way to go. It fits well into an Ayurvedic dinacharya ritual to set your body’s rhythms holistically.

Are There Any Exceptions?

For most folks, AM Shilajit dosing on an empty stomach works perfectly. But there are a couple exceptions where taking it later may be wise:

Sensitive digestion - If taking any supplement first thing makes you queasy, try taking your Shilajit dose mid-morning or early afternoon between meals. Spreading out nutrient intake this way may curb nausea.

Sleep issues - While Shilajit is energizing for most, its high mineral content makes it slightly stimulating for some. If you find it keeps you up at night, shift your intake a few hours earlier in the day.

Ask your Ayurvedic practitioner - As always, consult a professional Ayurvedic practitioner to tailor timing and dosing specific to your constitution and current state of balance.

How Long Should You Take Shilajit For Best Results?

Like most herbal supplements and superfoods, the longer you take Shilajit consistently, the better.

Cumulative effects build when you make Shilajit part of your regular health regime daily for 3-6 months. Some report benefits kicking in within weeks though.

Listen your to own body’s innate wisdom to sense when Shilajit is boosting you. And as always, consult a professional about appropriate duration based on your health goals.

Ready to Add Shilajit to Your Routine?

Hopefully learning when you should take Shilajit - early morning on an empty stomach - has answered your main question and gotten you excited to add this rejuvenating adaptogen into your regimen!

Shilajit boasts an impressive resume of compounds that revitalize your mind-body-spirit. It’s earned a rightful place in every Ayurvedic apothecary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shilajit

Curious to learn more about this ancient rejuvenating adaptogen? Below are answers to some common questions people ask when first exploring Shilajit.

What Does Shilajit Taste Like?

Pure, high-quality Shilajit has a very earthy, bitter taste from all the concentrated minerals and compounds. Most describe it as quite strong, pungent and medicinal tasting. The taste itself seems to provide therapeutic effects though based on its nootropic chemistry.

Shilajit powder has a smoky flavor. The initial taste may be unpleasant for some, but a tingling feeling afterwards indicates good absorption. To make the flavor more pleasant, combine your dose of Shilajit with honey, ghee, almond or coconut milk.

What Color Should High Quality Shilajit Be?

Authentic, highest grade Shilajit resins seeping out from between mountain rocks should always be very black or brownish-black in color. The darker color indicates density and an abundance of revitalizing nutrients and minerals condensed over centuries of formation.

Dark oceanside Shilajit known as “sacha inchi" tends to be softer and glossier. While lighter colored Shilajit may still offer benefits, the darkest resins exhibit the most dramatic health effects.

Is Shilajit Safe?

When sourced ethically and sustainably from pristine natural environments, Shilajit has an incredibly safe track record. However, recent high demand has led some low-grade diluted Shilajit products to enter the market.

To ensure safety, only purchase Shilajit from reputable suppliers who test for contaminants and provide documentation on their harvest and production processes.

It’s also wise to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner to guide you on proper dosing for your constitution and body type. Follow dosage directions and start slowly with Shilajit until observing how your body responds.

Can You Take Shilajit Every Day?

Regular daily dosing enables Shilajit’s minerals and nutrients to build up steadily in your tissues. This enhances cellular and mitochondrial function holistically over time.

However, some recommend taking Shilajit 5 days on, 2 days off as it can be slightly heating for certain bodies. Adjust as needed based on your own constitution and in consultation with an Ayurvedic specialist.

In summary though, taking Shilajit consistently over months and years with periodic rest days as warranted reaps the greatest rewards. Just listen deeply to your body’s innate wisdom along the way.

Shilajit Q&A Key Takeaways:

• Quality matters - Seek well-sourced, purified, authentic Shilajit
• Stick to small doses - Follow precautions and work with a practitioner
• Blacker is better - Darker grades contain higher mineral density
• Build slowly - Allow months for full effects to emerge

Summary

Shilajit is an ancient medicinal substance oozing from the mountainous regions of Asia, composed of 80+ rejuvenating trace minerals and compounds. Known as the “destroyer of weakness” in Ayurveda, Shilajit builds vitality, enhances energy, supports cognition, regulates hormones, detoxifies the body, and more. But when is the optimal time to take Shilajit? According to Ayurvedic wisdom - first thing in the morning!

Taking a small pea-sized Shilajit dose sublingually on an empty stomach allows the compounds to dissolve under your tongue. They rapidly enter your bloodstream and circulate to tissues through this sublingual administration while absorption through digestion takes longer. Starting your day with Shilajit fires up cellular metabolism and primes you with an energizing boost. It’s also said to support digestion and circadian rhythms when used daily.

For most folks, taking Shilajit early morning and consistently for 3-6 months yields cumulative benefits. Some sensitive people may wish to take Shilajit between meals later in the day if AM dosing causes nausea. Consult an Ayurvedic practitioner to tailor timing and dosage specifically for your unique constitution and dosha balance. Prioritize high quality Shilajit from reputable sources for purity and safety as well.