Shilajit Side Effects and Contraindications: Evidence Report
Shilajit Side Effects and Contraindications: Evidence Report
This report from The Yeti Life collects the side effects that published sources have reported for shilajit, and who those sources say should take extra care. Side-effect data is thin: supplements are rarely monitored after sale, so most of what is known comes from a handful of trials and case reports.
Side effects reported, by source
| Reported effect | Source | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Sore throat, headache, dizziness | Cleveland Clinic, March 2025 | Reported for fulvic acid and shilajit |
| Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea | Cleveland Clinic, March 2025 | User reports |
| Allergic reactions, including life-threatening reactions | Operation Supplement Safety, September 2024; Cleveland Clinic | Suspected adverse effects |
| Raised blood pressure | Operation Supplement Safety, September 2024 | Suspected adverse effect |
| Disorientation, cognitive disorder | Operation Supplement Safety, September 2024 | Suspected adverse effects |
| Pseudohyperaldosteronism (high blood pressure, low potassium, metabolic alkalosis) | Cleveland Clinic | A single case study |
| Possible hormonal effects in women, such as acne, irregular periods or hair loss | Cleveland Clinic | Inferred from evidence that shilajit can raise testosterone |
| No serious adverse events over 28 days | Yadav et al., 2026, 25 healthy men on 500 mg/day resin | Open-label pilot, no placebo group |
Heavy-metal exposure
The US FDA has warned that heavy-metal poisoning from certain unapproved ayurvedic products may cause high blood pressure, kidney injury, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress and neurological symptoms. It also notes that heavy metals in a mother's body may pass into breast milk.
- NCCIH reports a 2015 survey in which 40% of people using Ayurvedic preparations had elevated blood lead levels.
- A 2025 study in BMC Chemistry measured thallium at up to 0.226 µg/g in natural shilajit and up to 0.5 µg/g in some supplements — in some supplements more than in the crude material.
Who should check with a doctor first
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women. NCCIH notes many supplements have not been tested in pregnant or nursing women, and advises consulting a healthcare provider about Ayurvedic products.
- Children. NCCIH notes many supplements have not been tested in children.
- Anyone taking medicines, due for lab tests, or having surgery. The US FDA says supplements can interact with medicines, interfere with lab tests and be dangerous during surgery.
- Anyone managing blood pressure. Both Operation Supplement Safety and Cleveland Clinic list raised blood pressure among reported effects.
- Women concerned about hormonal effects. Cleveland Clinic raises this because of the testosterone evidence.
Stop taking any supplement that causes unpleasant effects, and report serious reactions to a doctor.
What is not known
- How common any of these effects are. No source found here reports rates in everyday use.
- Whether effects differ between resin, powder and extract.
Our measured batch
The only laboratory result on this page for a product of our own. Values are transcribed from the certificate below.
| Field | Value on the certificate |
|---|---|
| Product | The Yeti Life Shilajit Resin |
| Batch number | B023724DC25 |
| Testing laboratory | Eurofins — sample code 258-2025-20112882, report AR-258-2025-20112882-01 |
| Date of analysis | 18–23 Dec. 2025 (report dated 24 Dec. 2025) |
| Manufactured / expiry | 16 Dec. 2025 / 15 Dec. 2027 |
| Fulvic acid | 76.12 % (specification: above 75 %, internal specification) |
| Heavy metals — lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium | Pass, per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India specifications |
Download the batch B023724DC25 certificate of analysis (PDF)
How this report was compiled
- Batch values are transcribed from the certificate PDF linked above.
- Study results are quoted from the published abstracts on PubMed, retrieved 11 September 2026. Where an abstract reports no number, this page reports none.
- This page makes no claim that any product treats or prevents a disease. Speak to a doctor before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic — Shilajit: Benefits, Side Effects and Uses (11 March 2025)
- Operation Supplement Safety (US Department of Defense) — Shilajit as a Dietary Supplement Ingredient (posted 17 September 2024)
- Yadav, et al. 28-day open-label pilot of TruBlk™ shilajit resin. Cureus. 2026. PMID 41613504
- US FDA — FDA warns about heavy metal poisoning associated with certain unapproved ayurvedic drug products
- US FDA — FDA 101: Dietary Supplements
- NCCIH — Using Dietary Supplements Wisely
- NCCIH — Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth
- Quantifying of thallium in Shilajit and its supplements. BMC Chemistry. 2025. PMID 39827344
- The Yeti Life — Certificate of analysis, batch B023724DC25