Shilajit vs Ashwagandha: Differences, Benefits, Side Effects, and Consumption Guidelines

The Vedas and Samhita, which belong to ancient Indian scriptures, have the treasure of medicinal knowledge and health treatments. Inside them, a corner secures the mention of Ashwagandha and Shilajit, which have now become a vogue medicinal resource. 

Earlier, both of them were considered a medicinal placebo. However, several studies later surfaced depicting their spellbinding impact on mental, physical, and sexual health.

Despite having rich medical properties, the constant argument over Ashwagandha vs Shilajit has been going on over generations of doctors, researchers, and the masses.

To understand both ingredients better, let’s deduce their potential by comparing them and learning their benefits and usages in contemporary times.

What are Shilajit and Ashwagandha?

Shilajit and Ashwagandha are natural medicinal products consumed for better health. They have gained popularity in recent times due to their versatile qualities and therapeutic properties. However, they vary significantly in their elementary character and impact.

Let’s take a look at these respective products. 

Shilajit (Asphaltum punjabianum) is a natural organic-mineral product found in high altitudes. Basically, it is a resin that is extracted, processed, and provided in multiple forms, such as capsules and powder.

It is a black-brownish tar-like substance exuded from the rocks in mountainous regions. Essentially, it is produced from the decomposition of microbial matter and plants over centuries. It is a distinguished source of fulvic acid, antioxidants, and many minerals, which provides its magical rejuvenating character.

Indian scriptures have an elaborate mention of this product. Charak Samhita has mentioned that there is no curable disease in the universe that cannot be controlled or cured by Shilajit when administered with suitable drugs and diet.

It is native to the cold, high-altitude places, which include:

1. Himalayan terrains
2. Andes mountains
3. Altai mountains
4. Caucasus Mountain Range 

Talking about Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), it is an evergreen shrub native to Asia and Africa and has been popular as an adaptogen, i.e., a substance that corrects the body’s imbalances. 

Like Shilajit, it has its mentions in the books of Ayurveda and is nicknamed  Indian ginseng and winter cherry. It has also been cited in Charak Samhita as Balya and Medhya, which mean “giving strength” and “intellect.” 

Ashwagandha grows in the drier regions of certain sub-tropical places such as the Indian subcontinent, Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. 

Suggested Read: How to Gain Weight with Ayurveda? Ayurvedic Weight Gainers, Lifestyle Changes, Exercises & More

Shilajit vs. Ashwagandha

Shilajit and Ashwagandha are highly acclaimed for their distinctive medicinal features. To understand them better, here we have Shilajit vs Ashwagandha for comprehending their essence. 

S.No.	Difference Points	Shilajit	Ashwagandha
1	Nature of material	Gum-like exudes from rocks	Medicinal herb
2	Ayurvedic category	Rasa drvya (Mineral medicine)	Balya (Strength-giving herb)
3	Primary impacts	Cellular rejuvenation, energy production	Stress relief
4	Constituents	Fulvic acid, humic acid	Withanolides, iron, alkaloids
5	Appearance	Black/brown resin form	Leaves and roots of the Ashwagandha tree.
6	Available consumption forms	Powder, capsule, resin	Powder, capsule, tea
7	Taste	Bitter	Slightly bitter
8	Side effects	Allergies and stomach irritation	Drowsiness and upset stomach
9	Cost	Expensive	Less expensive than Shilajit
10	Overall uses	Enhance athletic endurance and performance	Provides stress relief, boosts immunity, and strengthens cognitive function

Apart from this, people remain curious about the impact of these magical products on sexual wellness. 

For this, here is a comparative analysis of these two natural products from the perspective of reproductive well-being. 

S. No.	Difference aspect	Shilajit	Ashwagangha
1	Boost Libido	Enhances libido by boosting testosterone levels	Increases sexual desire by diminishing anxiety and stress
2	Strengthen Testosterone	Stimulates the pituitary gland, which indirectly impacts an increase in testosterone levels	Boosts LH level, which enhances testosterone secretion
3	Increase fertility	Enhances sperm count and motility.
4	Address anxiety and stress	Checks fatigue built up and improves sexual health	Enhance mood and performance by reducing cortisol levels
5	Hormonal Disbalance	Maintain a balance in male hormonal levels	Manages hormonal levels for both men and women
6	Builds stamina	Increases blood circulation	Decreases exhaustion

Despite being enriched with distinct qualities, these products are highly beneficial from both mental and physical perspectives. 

Benefits of Shilajit and Aswagandha

Shilajit and Ashwagandha are rich in therapeutic properties, which makes them superb remedies for multiple physical, mental, and sexual health issues. They have some unique and a few common benefits, which are described below.

Benefits of Shilajit: 

Shilajit, especially Himalayan Shilajit benefits the human body in many ways, such as: 

1. Boosts Immunity: Shilajit contains unique antiviral characteristics which boost immune response to a certain level.
2. Keeps the Heart Healthy: Its antioxidants and minerals improve blood flow and strengthen heart muscles, hence reducing the chances of heart attack and stroke. 
3. Elevate Stamina: The high mineral level in Ashwagandha increases stamina and energy level, which helps in athletics and workout, or similar energy-consuming activities. 
4. Increase Testosterone Level: It has been scientifically proven that Shilajit boosts testosterone levels without any prominent side effects. 
5. Benefits in Respiratory Disease and Cancer Treatment: Both modern science and Ayurveda have confirmed the importance of Shilajit in the treatment of respiratory tract infections. It is also considered helpful in neutralizing the free radicals from the body post-chemotherapy.

Though not medically confirmed, a dependable study has come up with an inference that Shilajit slows down or prevents Alzheimer’s disease. 

Benefits of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha also possesses immense therapeutic advantages, like: 

1. Improves Brain Activity: It has been proven to be a good natural option to enhance mental strength and cognitive power.
2. Diminishes Stress and Anxiety: Studies have inferred that it reduces cortisol levels, which ultimately provides relief from stress. 
3. Enhanced Muscle Strength: A study conducted to check ashwagandha’s impact on muscle concluded significantly greater muscle recovery and a conspicuous increase in muscle strength.
4. Improves Sleep Quality: Consuming Ashwagandha extracts helps improve sleep time and latency, thus providing relief from insomnia. 

Besides, they both have certain common benefits that you must stay aware of. 

1. Antiaging Properties: Both possess antioxidants and anti-inflammatory constituents, which effectively prevent cellular damage and check the level of free radicals in the body. 
2. Enhance Bones and Joints: These products prevent bone loss, especially in postmenopausal women, and also promote bone formation, which keeps bones and joints healthy. 
3. Relieving Stress and Fatigue: They boost energy level and stamina and proportionally provide relief from stress and anxiety.
4. Gain Muscle and Weight: Your regular workout causes wear and tear to your muscles. For this, both Shilajit and Ashwagandha help in repairing muscles and gaining weight. 
5. Reduce Alcohol Withdrawal Anxiety: A study has shown that both Ashwagandha and Shilajit provide relief in alcohol withdrawal anxiety by reducing ethanol intake and elevating water intake. 

Ayurveda has also mentioned other similar products, such as Gokshura for building muscles and Black Ginger for improving heart functioning and cognitive development. 

However, Shilajit and Ashwagandha provide promising results. 

Side Effects of Shilajit and Ashwagandha

Although these natural products possess immense health benefits, they also come with certain complications. This could be due to pre-existing medical issues or medications, clashing with the effects of these medicinal products. 

In this perspective, here are some possible side effects of Shilajit and Ashwagandha on your health. 

Side effects of Shilajit:

1. Gastrointestinal disbalance 
2. Headache and dizziness
3. Skin rashes 
4. Can fluctuate hormone levels in the body

The doctors suggest extra precautions for people suffering from sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and hemochromatosis while consuming Shilajit. 

Side effects of Ashwagandha:

1. Can stimulate an allergic reaction
2. Digestive stress
3. Hormonal imbalance (during high dosages)
4. May impact the liver (in worst cases, causes liver failure)

In certain cases, it also causes severe diarrhea and vomiting.

If you encounter any of these situations after consuming Shilajit or Ashwagandha, it is highly advisable to consult a doctor to address such medical issues. 

How to Consume Shilajit and Ashwagandha?

Shilajit and Ashwagandha target different mental and physiological processes. This makes it a pressing need to learn how and when to take them, and in what amounts they will be safer to consume. 

Guidelines for Taking Shilajit

1. Time: Morning, night, pre-workout
2. How: With lukewarm water or milk
3. Amount: 300-500 mg per day

Note: Shilajit is also applied on the skin for its anti-aging, skin brightening, and acne-treating properties. 

Guidelines for Taking Ashwagandha

1. Time: Evening or night
2. How: With a meal; avoid an empty stomach
3. Amount: 500-600 mg per day

Note:  Ashwagandha extracts are applied on skin owing to its anti-inflammatory effects to treat skin rashes, redness, and skin boils. 

Can Shilajit and Ashwagandha be Consumed Together?

Yes. You can take Shilajit and Ashwagandha together. However, several capsules and health supplements have entered the market, having these two as the core constituents. Such a product may help you in consuming these two products together and ensure better absorption of their minerals. 

Though both are natural extracts, they can be consumed separately as well. However, it is highly advised to keep the dosage under prescribed limits. If you are already undergoing any treatment or taking any dosage course, then you must consult a physician before taking them. 

Conclusion

From the above-discussed facets, we would have comprehended Shilajit vs Ashwagandha, understood its benefits and side effects. To get the most out of it, you can follow the consumption guideline or consult a physician for it. In recent times, the market has a multitude of products and supplement mediums enriched in Shilajit and Ashwagandha, such as capsules and powder. So, go through the above information and make an informed decision to utilize it ideally. 

Next Read: Gokshura vs Ashwagandha: Which Ayurvedic Herb is Right for You?

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