Shilajit for Men: Benefits, Evidence and How to Take It (2026 UK Guide)
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Last updated: November 2026
🧪 Independently Lab-Tested · ☪️ Halal Certified · 🏔️ Sourced from the High-Altitude Peaks of Gilgit, Pakistan · 🇬🇧 Dispatched From UK Stock

⚡ Quick answer: Most shilajit research has been done in men. Three small human trials stand out: one found testosterone rose by about 20% over 90 days in healthy men aged 45 to 55, one reported higher sperm counts in men with low sperm count, and one found active young men kept more of their strength after tiring exercise. Each is a single, small study using a standardised extract, so treat shilajit as a general wellness supplement, not a testosterone or fertility treatment.
Search "shilajit for men" and you'll find big promises: more testosterone, more stamina, more muscle, better performance. Some of those claims have a real study behind them. Many don't. This guide walks through what was actually tested in men, what the results were, and where the evidence stops, so you can decide for yourself.
📋 Key Takeaways
- A 90-day placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 45 to 55 found total testosterone was about 20% higher than at the start.
- A small study in men with low sperm count reported higher sperm count and motility after 90 days, but it had no placebo group.
- An 8-week trial in active young men found 500mg a day helped some participants keep more strength after fatiguing exercise.
- All three trials used a purified, standardised extract, and none has been independently repeated at scale.
- Shilajit isn't a replacement for testosterone therapy, fertility treatment or erection problem treatment. See your GP about any of those.
- Choose a product that's independently lab-tested for heavy metals.
Table of Contents
- 🌿 What Is Shilajit?
- 👨 Why Is Shilajit So Popular With Men?
- 📈 Shilajit and Testosterone
- 🧬 Shilajit, Sperm Count and Male Fertility
- 💪 Shilajit, Strength and Exercise
- ⚡ Shilajit and Energy
- 🥇 What About Shilajit Gold for Men?
- 🛡️ Safety: Which Men Should Avoid It or Check First
- ⏰ Shilajit Dosage for Men and How to Take It
- 📊 Common Claims vs What's Verified
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- ✅ Should Men Try Shilajit?
- 📚 Sources
1. 🌿 What Is Shilajit?
Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin that forms over centuries as plant matter breaks down between layers of rock in high mountain ranges such as the Himalayas and Karakoram. It has been used in Ayurveda for generations. Its main components are fulvic acid and trace minerals such as iron, zinc, copper and magnesium. Learn more in our What Is Fulvic Acid? guide.
Important: in the UK, shilajit is sold as a food supplement, not a medicine. It isn't intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and there are no authorised health claims for shilajit on the GB register. This article reports published research for information. It isn't medical advice, and it isn't a claim about what our products will do for you.
2. 👨 Why Is Shilajit So Popular With Men?
In Ayurveda, shilajit is a Rasayana, a substance taken to support vitality and strength, and it has long been associated with men's stamina. Modern interest comes mainly from a handful of clinical trials that measured things men care about: testosterone, sperm quality and muscle strength. Because these studies were done in men, the evidence is more relevant to men than to women. (Women can read our separate Shilajit for Women guide.)
The catch is that the research base is small. Let's look at each area honestly.
3. 📈 Shilajit and Testosterone
The study: Pandit and colleagues (Andrologia, 2016) ran a 90-day randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 45 to 55. The shilajit group took 250mg of a purified, standardised shilajit extract twice a day (500mg a day in total).
What they found: by day 90, total testosterone in the shilajit group was about 20% higher than at the start, free testosterone was about 19% higher, and DHEAS (a hormone the body uses to make testosterone) also rose. In the placebo group, testosterone drifted slightly down.
What it doesn't show: it's one trial, the men were healthy rather than diagnosed with low testosterone, and the extract was a specific branded ingredient rather than traditional resin. The rise was within the normal range. It doesn't show that shilajit treats low testosterone or can replace testosterone therapy.
We cover this study in full, including what UK law allows brands to say, in Shilajit and Testosterone: What the Research Shows.
4. 🧬 Shilajit, Sperm Count and Male Fertility
The study: Biswas and colleagues (Andrologia, 2010) gave men with oligospermia (low sperm count) 100mg of processed shilajit twice a day after meals for 90 days, and compared their semen analysis and hormone levels before and after.
What they found: the men who completed the study had a higher sperm count (around 60% higher than at the start), better sperm motility and higher testosterone. Liver and kidney markers didn't change, which the researchers took as a sign it was well tolerated at that dose.
What it doesn't show: there was no placebo group, so we can't be sure how much of the change was caused by shilajit. The group was small, and the study didn't measure whether any couples went on to conceive.
What to do: if you and your partner are struggling to conceive, the right first step is your GP, who can arrange a semen analysis and check for treatable causes. Shilajit isn't a fertility treatment.
5. 💪 Shilajit, Strength and Exercise
The study: Keller and colleagues at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2019) randomly assigned 63 recreationally active men, average age 21, to 250mg of shilajit a day, 500mg a day or a placebo for 8 weeks. Before and after, the men did a hard leg-extension workout designed to tire their muscles.
What they found: among the stronger half of the men, those taking 500mg a day lost much less strength after the fatiguing workout (about 9%) than those on 250mg or placebo (about 16 to 17%). The 500mg group also had lower levels of hydroxyproline, a marker of collagen breakdown.
What it doesn't show: the clearest effect appeared in a subgroup, not in every man, and the 250mg dose did no better than placebo. It doesn't show that shilajit builds muscle or replaces training and protein. An earlier 8-week study at 500mg a day also reported changes in muscle gene activity linked to connective tissue, but that's laboratory measurement, not a performance result.
6. ⚡ Shilajit and Energy
"More energy" is the most common reason men try shilajit. It fits its traditional use, and early research has looked at how fulvic acid and shilajit's other compounds relate to how cells make energy. But there isn't a strong human trial showing shilajit reduces everyday tiredness in men.
If you feel tired all the time, it's worth seeing your GP first. Common causes, such as poor sleep, low iron, thyroid problems or low vitamin D, are easy to check and treat.
7. 🥇 What About Shilajit Gold for Men?
Products like Dabur, Kapiva, Baidyanath and Patanjali "shilajit gold" are popular with men, especially in India. They're blends, usually containing a small amount of shilajit alongside other herbs and sometimes gold bhasma, rather than pure shilajit. None of the trials above tested a shilajit gold blend, so their results don't transfer. We compare these products in detail in Shilajit Gold vs Pure Shilajit.
8. 🛡️ Safety: Which Men Should Avoid It or Check First
Purified, tested shilajit is generally well tolerated by healthy adults at standard doses. Men should speak to a GP or pharmacist first if any of these apply:
- Testosterone therapy or hormone-sensitive conditions: if you're on testosterone replacement, have or have had prostate cancer, or have any condition affected by hormones, check before adding anything marketed around testosterone.
- Fertility treatment: tell your fertility clinic about any supplement you take.
- Blood pressure, blood sugar or thyroid medication: interactions haven't been well studied, so ask first.
- Iron overload (haemochromatosis): shilajit naturally contains iron.
- Allergies: stop if you notice any sign of an allergic reaction.
Mild side effects such as an upset stomach can happen, especially on an empty stomach or at higher doses. Taking it with food or lowering the dose usually helps. Read our full Shilajit Side Effects guide.
Purity matters most. Raw or poorly purified shilajit can contain heavy metals. Only buy shilajit with an independent certificate of analysis. Our guide to spotting fake shilajit shows you what to check.
9. ⏰ Shilajit Dosage for Men and How to Take It
- Dose: a pea-sized amount of resin (about 300 to 500mg) dissolved in warm water, milk or tea once a day, or 1 to 2 gummies a day with food. The trials above used 200 to 500mg a day of a standardised extract. Always follow your product's label and start at the lower end.
- Timing: there's no research showing one time of day is better. Many men take it in the morning. Consistency matters more than timing.
- How long: the human trials ran for 8 to 12 weeks, so give it at least that long before judging. See How Long Does Shilajit Take to Work?
- Format: resin is the traditional, concentrated choice; gummies are easier and have no bitter taste. Compare them in our Resin vs Gummies guide.
- Stacking: many men combine shilajit with ashwagandha. Read Shilajit vs Ashwagandha before you do.

Pure Himalayan Shilajit Resin, 30g
The traditional format. About 33p to 50p a day.

Shilajit Gummies, 60 count
Low sugar, no bitter taste, easy to take anywhere.
PEAKSPURITY Shilajit is sourced from the high-altitude peaks of Gilgit, Pakistan, purified and sun-dried, independently lab-tested by Eurofins and a US-based lab, and Halal certified. See our Lab Results page.
10. 📊 Common Claims vs What's Verified
| Common claim | What the evidence shows | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| "Boosts testosterone" | One 90-day placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 45 to 55 found about a 20% rise from baseline. | Supported by one study |
| "Increases sperm count" | One small study in men with low sperm count reported improvements, but with no placebo group. | Early evidence |
| "Builds muscle" | One trial found better strength retention after fatiguing exercise in some men. No trial shows it builds muscle. | Overstated |
| "Boosts energy and stamina" | Fits traditional use and early lab research, but no strong human trial on everyday energy. | Plausible, not proven |
| "Natural Viagra" / fixes erection problems | No clinical trial has tested shilajit for erectile dysfunction. | Unsupported |
| "Shilajit gold works the same" | None of the trials tested shilajit gold blends. | Doesn't apply |
| "Replaces testosterone therapy" | No evidence supports this. Speak to your GP about low testosterone. | Incorrect |
11. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is shilajit good for men?
It can be part of a healthy routine for many men. Small human trials in men have reported higher testosterone in healthy middle-aged men, better sperm counts in men with low counts and better strength retention after exercise. Each finding comes from a single small study, so expectations should be modest.
Does shilajit increase testosterone?
One 90-day placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 45 to 55 found total testosterone was about 20% higher than at the start, using 500mg a day of a standardised extract. It hasn't been repeated in a large independent trial, and it isn't a treatment for low testosterone.
Does shilajit help sperm count?
A small 2010 study in men with low sperm count reported higher sperm count and motility after 90 days, but it had no placebo group. If you're having trouble conceiving, see your GP for a semen analysis first.
Does shilajit help erectile dysfunction?
There are no clinical trials showing it does. Erection problems are common and treatable, and they can sometimes be an early sign of a heart or blood vessel problem, so speak to your GP.
Is shilajit good for the gym?
One 8-week trial found 500mg a day helped some active men keep more strength after a fatiguing workout. It doesn't build muscle on its own, and training, sleep and protein matter far more.
How much shilajit should a man take?
A pea-sized amount of resin (about 300 to 500mg) once a day, or 1 to 2 gummies a day. There's no evidence men need a higher dose than women. Follow your product's label and start at the lower end.
What is the best time for men to take shilajit?
No study has compared times of day. Many men take it in the morning with a warm drink or breakfast. Taking it at the same time every day matters more.
How long does shilajit take to work for men?
The trials in men ran for 8 to 12 weeks, so give it at least two to three months of consistent daily use before deciding whether it suits you.
Is shilajit gold better for men than pure shilajit?
Not on the evidence. Shilajit gold products are blends with a small amount of shilajit plus other ingredients, and none of the men's trials tested them. See our Shilajit Gold vs Pure Shilajit comparison.
Can men take shilajit and ashwagandha together?
Many men do, and the two are often sold together. Check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take medication or have a thyroid condition. Our Shilajit vs Ashwagandha guide covers the details.
12. ✅ Should Men Try Shilajit?
Shilajit has more research in men than in women, and some of it is genuinely interesting: a placebo-controlled testosterone trial, a fertility study and a strength study. But every one of those findings rests on a single small trial, so the honest summary is "promising, not proven".
As a general wellness supplement for healthy adult men, it's a reasonable thing to try for two to three months, as long as it's purified and independently lab-tested and you check with your GP first if you're on hormone therapy, fertility treatment or regular medication. If you're worried about low testosterone, fertility or erection problems, see your GP rather than relying on a supplement.
🛍️ Shop PEAKSPURITY Shilajit
- 🪨 Shilajit Resin – £29.99: the traditional, concentrated choice
- 🍬 Shilajit Gummies – £19.99: the easy, great-tasting daily option
- 🎁 Starter Bundle – £44.99: try both and save £4.99
This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Food supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always read the label and speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting a new supplement, especially if you're taking medication or managing a health condition.
📚 More PEAKSPURITY Shilajit guides
13. 📚 Sources
- PubMed: Pandit et al. (2016), Andrologia: Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers (RCT)
- PubMed: Biswas et al. (2010), Andrologia: Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia
- PubMed: Keller et al. (2019), Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: Shilajit supplementation, fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline (RCT)
- NHS: Erection problems (erectile dysfunction)
- Cleveland Clinic: Shilajit Benefits, Side Effects and Uses
- Operation Supplement Safety (US Department of Defense): Shilajit as a Dietary Supplement Ingredient
- ASA/CAP: Food, Food Supplements and Associated Health or Nutrition Claims