How to Identify Real or Fake Shilajit? Testing Pure Shilajit

Shilajit resin is a high-quality natural substance found in the Himalayas. As it's packed with fulvic acids, humic, carbon-60, amino acids, plant-based antioxidants, over 85 minerals, and other beneficial organic acids, Shilajit offers numerous health benefits.

Genuine Shilajit is incredibly valuable and not easy to come by. Unfortunately, in today's market, 99% of vendors are either selling fake Shilajit or mixing it with chemicals to mimic the real thing. So, how can you identify whether Shilajit resin is real or fake?

To ensure you're getting authentic Shilajit resin, you must perform certain tests to check its purity. These tests will help you determine if the resin is 100% genuine Shilajit or not. Read on!

Why Do You Need to Test Shilajit?

You should test Shilajit to make sure it's safe and pure for you to use. With so many options available in the market, it's hard to know if Shilajit is pure just by looking at it.

Here are the reasons why you should check if Shilajit is real or fake:

• It's one of the rarest and hardest to find substances in the world.
• Obtaining it is tough and expensive.
• Because it's potent and in demand, there are many fake Shilajit products out there.
• It ranks among the top-selling supplements.

Before exploring how to test Shilajit, you can discover benefits of Shilajit in this video:

How to Identify Real or Fake Shilajit?

The following original Shilajit purity test methods will help you ensure that you have the real deal. There are different ways to test Shilajit's purity, including the pliability test, solubility test, alcohol test, flame test, color and odor test, room temperature test, and more.

Let's explore these methods further:

Pliability Test

The pliability test is the most common way to check if Shilajit is real or fake. In this test, you hold the Shilajit resin in your hands:

• If it's pure, it will become soft and sticky due to the warmth of your hands.
• If you put the resin in the freezer, it will become solid because of the cold temperature. You can then break it into pieces with a hammer.
• If you choose the hammer option, be sure to wrap the Shilajit in a plastic bag to keep it safe and prevent any loss of the precious herb. Pure and genuine Shilajit will maintain its form and won't separate into clumps.

Solubility Test

Another clever way to test the purity of Shilajit is through the solubility test.

Here's how you can do it:

• Take a small amount of Shilajit in your palm and drop it into some water. If the Shilajit is pure, it will easily dissolve in the water once it's dropped in.
• When Shilajit tablets are dissolved in water, they might turn reddish-black or brown in color. If the Shilajit is pure, it won't leave any residue behind.
• However, if your Shilajit product is adulterated, you'll notice sandy residue when it's dropped in water. It may also taste slightly sandy, making it easy to tell the difference.

Flame Test

If you're confident about the best quality of your Shilajit, you might want to try the flame test. Among all the tests we've mentioned, this one is the most reliable.

Here's why:

• When you put Shilajit on fire, pure Shilajit won't burn. Instead, it may become sticky or turn into ash due to the heat.
• However, if your Shilajit isn't pure, it will catch fire easily.

Form Test

It's highly advised to only use the liquid or resin form of Shilajit and avoid the powdered version. Sellers often mix other chemicals in the powdered form, making it difficult to determine if Shilajit is real or fake:

Powdered Shilajit typically contains only 2-30% of Shilajit, with the rest being fillers and additives. Therefore, it's best to steer clear of powdered Shilajit.

Related Article: How Long Does It Take For Shilajit To Work?

Alcohol Test

Did you know that if you've bought Shilajit online and try to dissolve it in alcohol, the real product won't dissolve?

This makes the alcohol test a helpful way to spot the difference. When you add genuine Shilajit to alcohol, you'll notice a particular type of clot forming.

On the other hand, if your Shilajit dissolves easily in alcohol, it's likely fake. This suggests that the product contains additives that you may want to know more about.

Color and Odor Test

Even if you've purchased your product from the top Shilajit brand, you might still want to ensure its safety. This test can help you do exactly that.

Genuine Shilajit is dark in color and has a strong smell, often described as pungent. This scent is due to the breakdown of minerals and plant matter.
If your Shilajit doesn't have this characteristic color and odor, it's likely to be fake.

Room Temperature Test

You can test the purity of Shilajit by using a temperature test. Shilajit shows different reactions and changes when exposed to different temperatures.

Here's how you can do it:

• Take a small amount and let it sit at room temperature. Genuine Shilajit will soften and have a flowing consistency when it's in liquid form. It should feel a bit sticky when you touch it.
• If it's too hard or doesn't soften at room temperature, it might not be the best quality product for you.

Smell Test

This next test is simple: the smell test.

• Authentic Shilajit should have a strong, tar-like petrol smell, which might not be pleasant, but that's how it should be.
• Genuine Shilajit also has a distinct, strong, and slightly bitter taste, along with a unique earthy aroma. Counterfeit versions may have different flavors or odors.

Related Article: How To Take Shilajit? What Is The Best Way To Take Shilajit?

Checking for Acids and Bases

The next way of checking the purity of Shilajit involves two tests that might seem a bit complicated but are excellent for determining its authenticity.

Here’s what you can do:

• Start by dissolving 2 parts of Shilajit in 100 parts of water. Stir vigorously for 10 to 15 minutes until the Shilajit completely dissolves at room temperature. Then, create two identical solutions and pour them into separate transparent glass containers.
• Add a generous amount of baking soda to the first container and stir well. The solution's color should stay the same after adding the baking soda. Any color change indicates impurity in the Shilajit.
• Next, in the second container, add vinegar and stir. Let it sit for some time. After around 30 minutes, you'll notice the solution's color becoming lighter, with a lighter hue appearing at the surface and a cloudy texture forming at the bottom of the glass. If this change doesn't occur, it's likely that your Shilajit isn't pure.

Burn Test

The final test is the burn test.

Here's how you can conduct the burn test:

• Take a small piece of Shilajit and place it on the end of a knife or a metal spoon.
• Use a lighter or a candle flame to apply burn to the Shilajit.
• Genuine Shilajit will not ignite or burn when exposed to the flame. Instead, it may melt, bubble, or produce ash due to the presence of volatile components.

If the Shilajit catches fire easily or burns like paper, it's likely to be fake. However, if it remains unaffected by the flame, it's a sign of authenticity.

What to Look for When Looking for Pure Shilajit?

We recommend doing a quality check before you use it. Identifying quality Shilajit is crucial to ensure you're getting the genuine product.

Here are a few simple tips to guide you:

Seller Reputation

• It's very important to get your Shilajit from trustworthy sellers who focus on purity and carefully check for metal contaminants.
• Buy from reputable sellers or brands known for authentic products. Check reviews  and seek advice from reliable sources.

Check the Packaging

• Ensure it doesn't appear low-quality. The product description and manufacturing details should match the original.
• Search online for accurate product information and compare. Pay attention to the packaging color and fonts used.
• Cheap items often have strange fonts that don't match the original.

Price

• Authentic Shilajit is rare and can be pricey due to its extraction process.
• Be wary of products that are too cheap; they may not be genuine.
• Remember, the quality of Shilajit varies, so a little research can help you identify the real deal.

Read more: 7 Best Shilajit Supplements to Improve Immune System

Conclusion

Shilajit is the best immunity booster sourced from the Himalayas. However, it's crucial to ensure that the Shilajit is real or fake. You can test its authenticity through methods like the pliability test, the flame test, the alcohol test, the solubility test, the room temperature test, the smell test, and the burn test. By choosing pure Shilajit and adding it to your wellness routine, you can enjoy its incredible benefits, leading to rejuvenation, vitality, and overall well-being.