Medicinal Plants : Asphaltum

Name

Mineral Pitch

Biological Name

Asphaltum

Other Names

Mineral Pitch, Vegetable Asphalt, Shilajit, Shilajita Guj, Jews' pitch, Kalmadam, Perangyum, Rel-yahudi, Silaras

Roots, leaves

The oozing from the rocks

Description

Silajit is a compact mass of bituminous substance ejected from crevices of rocks in the lower Himalayas, and Nepal, during hot weather. It consists of vegetable organic matter, composed of dark red, gummy matrix, interspersed with vegetable fibers and earthy matter.

Silajit has a bitter taste. It smells like the cow's stale urine. Monkeys use this natural remedy for various health ailments. They stay healthy and live a long time.

There are four varieties of Silajit:

Gold Silajit (red color)
Silver Silajit (white color)
Copper Silajit (blue color)
Iron Silajit (blackish brown color)

The black silajit is the variety used for healing.

Remedies For

Action

alterative, anodyne, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, cholagogue, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, intestinal antiseptic, mildly laxative, lithotriptic, parasiticide, rejuvenative, respiratory stimulant, tonic

Uses

asthma
cystitis
diabetes
dysuria
edema
epilepsy
gall stones
hemorrhoids
insanity
jaundice
kidney
obesity
sexual debility
skin diseases
menstrual disorders
parasites

Charaka says that "there is hardly any curable disease which cannot be controlled or cured with the aid of Silajit". According to GKN Nair and N. Mohanan, authors of "Medicinal Plants of India," Silajit is specially employed in genito-urinary diseases and in diabetes. It is used in gall stones, jaundice, enlarged spleen, dyspepsia, worms, digestive disorders, piles, adiposity, anasarca and anuria. Silajit is employed in cases of renal stone, renal and bladder calculi, hysteria, neurasthenia, epilepsy, insanity and nervous diseases. It is used in amenorrhoa, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, scrofula, tuberculosis, phthisis, Ieprosy, eczema, elephantiasis, anaemia, anorexia, biliary conjestion, chronic bronchitis. asthma, fracture of bones etc. Silajit is markedly effective in the treatment of various complications arising from diabetes."

Silajit is an effective tonic for anemia and general debility. It causes uterine contractions and promotes expulsion of the fetus. It is used as an antiseptic in parasitic diseases of the skin; a paste is locally applied to relieve rheumatic pain in joints, and in paralysis.

Dosage

Powder, with milk. 1 oz or more a day for severe diseases; 1/4-1 tsp.- 3 times daily, otherwise

Safety

Caution: Do not use with high uric acid count, or with febrile diseases

No information about the safety of this herb is available.

Use caution. Ayurvedic herbs are often taken in combination with others to neutralize the toxicity one herb with the opposing effect of other. Do not take except under the supervision of a qualified professional.