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Shilajit is probably the most mysterious member of the adaptogens family. It is known as a the legendary panacea attributed with many magical properties.

In regional folk medicines Shilajit has a reputation of being the most powerful anti-aging and rejuvenating substance ever known to humankind. 

It is believed to increase the core energy responsible for sexual and spiritual power as well as to slow down the process of aging and prolong life.

For the longest time the origin of Shilajit was a subject of much debate. It is collected as a black or brown bitumen-like semi-liquid tar that seeps out of certain rocks high in the mountains during the hot summer season.

It is found predominantly in the Himalayan region running through India, Nepal, China, Tibet and parts of central Asia.

The most accepted theory today is that it is a nutrient-rich organic matter from prehistoric vegetation  captured by tectonic movement and transformed by pressure and heat within mountain formations.

Shilajit is one of the main remedies of Ayurveda where it is used to treat a wide range of conditions such as ulcers, asthma, diabetes, rheumatism, allergies, arthritis, hypertension, obesity, various digestive and urinary problems and more. Regular consumption of small amounts of shilajit is believed to result in general physical strengthening, optimized functioning of all body systems, faster injury healing, and enhanced brain functioning.

Indian medical texts dated thousands of years back claim that there is hardly any curable disease which cannot be controlled or cured with the aid of Shilajit. In Sanskrit shilajit means “the conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness”.

Shilajit is known for its aphrodisiacal properties. It is said that the emperors and kings of great empires of the past used Shilajit on a regular basis so they could maintain their youthful vigor and sexual power even in old age. Shilajit is mentioned in the Kama Sutra. Today Ayurvedic doctors widely prescribe it in the case of low sperm count, infertility, impotence, premature ejaculation, and many other types of sexual disability.

Modern clinical research has shown multiple positive effects of Shilajit on humans and animals.

The studies suggest that it increases longevity, strengthens the immune system, increases strength and endurance, improves memory and cognitive abilities, reduces allergies and respiratory problems, increases resistance to stress, and relieves various digestive troubles.

Extensive human clinical studies have shown significant success in treatment of diabetes patients. It has also been verified that Shilajit has anti-inflammatory qualities and eliminates free radicals.

So far, research data seem to confirm many of the Shilajit properties which constitute its legendary reputation as a universal elixir of youth and health.

Shilajit is included as one of the components of the Isagenix’s restorative and rejuvenating tonic Ionix Supreme together with other potent adaptogens, such as Eleuthero.

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Author: Elena Berman
Photo: Bernard Spragg

Imagine that we happened to gather practitioners of all traditional medicines and health systems from all sides of the world in one room. What if we would ask each of them to name one natural remedy that has the most profound positive effect on the overall functioning of the human body?

It is guaranteed that they all will have different answers. Another thing which is nearly guaranteed though is that the remedies they name would most probably all belong to the same group – adaptogens.

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are natural substances found in a few rare plants and herbs that shield the body against the impact of all kinds of stress. This protective effect is achieved by balancing and harmonizing the body’s systems. Adaptogens display a unique ability to regulate both over-activity and under-activity of organs and systems of the body returning them to normal function.

Adaptogens are not in the food we normally eat, and must be added to the diet through supplementation. They are by definition natural and safe, and can be used regularly without any side effects.

What can you expect from adaptogens?

It can be difficult to explain the specific effects of the adaptogens, since they will influence every person differently. The best answer to the question “What will I get from adaptogens” is “You will get what your body needs”.

If you are mentally tired and continuously physically fatigued adaptogens will help you feel more energetic, strong, and mentally revitalized – but yet, they are not stimulants.

If however you are stressed-out, emotionally exhausted, and are not able to cope with life’s demands the adaptogens will help you relax and feel that you are in control again – yet they are not tranquillizers or antidepressants and will not have a drug-like effect on your body.

If you are a professional or recreational athlete interested in improving any kind of sports results adaptogens will help you to achieve the peak of your performance – yet they are not doping substances and can be used at any sports competitions including the Olympics.

Adaptogens are able to produce such “miracle-like” effects by working at the cellular level and optimizing the body’s regulation mechanisms and usage of energy. Their unique health benefits and safety have been proven not only by thousands of years of usage in traditional medicines but also by extensive scientific research in different countries.

Massive scientific studies of adaptogens were performed in the former Soviet Union in the second half of the last century. These studies involved hundreds of scientists and many thousands of research participants. The research results were so persuasive that for many decades adaptogens became Russians’ secret weapon in international sports competitions.

The Soviet Olympic program has primarily focused on achieving results without using drugs. Using adaptogens provided top Soviet athletes with a competitive advantage by ensuring better performance, endurance, stamina, strength, recovery, muscle development, immune resistance, and adaptation to changes in climate, time zones and altitude.

Using adaptogens has long been an important part of the health program designed for Russian astronauts. Adaptogen based formulas help astronauts’ bodies and minds to adapt to stressors that are inevitable in a space flight, such as extreme accelerations, vertigo, weightlessness, limited living space, and prolonged inactivity.

To get a better idea about what adaptogens are capable of and what specific benefits they can provide have a look at my posts about Shilajit and Eleuthero. Both have been used for centuries. Shilajit has a reputation of the most powerful anti-aging and rejuvenating substance in existence and Eleuthero has been shown to do wonders for physical and mental performance.

You might not be an Olympic athlete or an astronaut but your body is also experiencing all kinds of physical, intellectual, and emotional stress on a regular basis – this is just an inherent part of modern civilization. Historically our bodies are not well equipped to handle ongoing intense stress – that is why the number of stress-related diseases keeps climbing. Sometimes we are not able to reduce the amount of stress in our life but we can make our body much more resistant to its effects with the help of adaptogens.

If you are interested to see how your body will respond to adaptogens, try Isagenix Ionix Supreme. Ionix includes several well known adaptogens (including mentioned earlier Shilajit and Eleuthero) as well as other botanicals and mineral substances which are not formally classified as adaptogens but display similar properties, such as being safe if used regularly and addressing multiple issues at once. Like adaptogens, they also belong to the “golden fund” of one or many traditional medicines from all over the globe.