Customer Q&A: Does Mixing with Hot Water Damage Shilajit?

Last week, I received a question from one of our customers, one that can easily be a source of confusion due to the lack of credible, scientific information available about shilajit. While things are improving, gaps in our understanding of this ancient mineral supplement still exist.

The issue raised was whether mixing shilajit in hot water would damage it, referring directly to our website, where we advocate mixing our premium shilajit into hot water and consuming it like a tonic every morning.
See: How to Use and What to Expect

The customer shared the following image and sought clarification: 

Throughout my journey with shilajit, I've encountered many misrepresentations, sensational claims, and ambiguous statements, often with little to no supporting evidence. Therefore, I believe that any claim (especially from a shilajit vendor) should be subjected to rigorous examination before accepting it as true.

It’s crucial for each of us to educate ourselves and validate “facts” before accepting them. This way, we avoid being misled by exaggerated claims.

Let’s break down this question and get to the bottom of it:

What Is Shilajit Made Of?

A purified, high-quality shilajit (regardless of its origin) primarily consists of humic and fulvic acids along with essential minerals—the very elements we seek to benefit from.

Minerals: The mineral content in shilajit (e.g., iron, magnesium, and zinc) is stable at high temperatures, similar to minerals in leafy greens. Cooking vegetables, for instance, doesn’t degrade their mineral content, and the same principle applies to shilajit. Thus, the mineral benefits of shilajit are not affected by hot water.

Fulvic and Humic Acids: The confusion usually stems from the role of fulvic and humic acids—two of the most prized compounds in shilajit. Here's what research shows:

• Fulvic Acid: Fulvic acid is known for its stability under various conditions. Thermal analysis studies indicate that fulvic acid does not begin to degrade until exposed to very high temperatures, with significant decomposition typically occurring above 300°C (572°F). Even when bound to minerals, decomposition begins at temperatures far exceeding those of boiling water.
• Humic Acid: Humic acid is similarly stable at high temperatures. Like fulvic acid, it begins to decompose at temperatures well above boiling water, typically around 200-350°C.

To put it simply, water boils at 100°C (212°F), which is far below the decomposition points of both humic and fulvic acids. Hot water will not degrade these compounds when you mix shilajit into it.

Bioavailability of Fulvic and Humic Acids:

One additional point worth mentioning is bioavailability—the degree to which a substance can be absorbed and used by the body. The fulvic and humic acids in high-quality shilajit are highly bioavailable, meaning your body can absorb and utilize them effectively. Importantly, mixing shilajit with hot water does not negatively impact the bioavailability of these acids, as their molecular structure remains stable at typical preparation temperatures. This ensures you're still receiving the full benefit when consuming shilajit as a tonic.

Conclusion

In short, high-quality shilajit is perfectly safe to mix with hot water, and doing so won't diminish its benefits. The claim that shilajit will be damaged or degraded at high temperatures (often cited as 60°C) is scientifically baseless. If you encounter such claims, it’s a good idea to ask the producer for clarification and a chemical report of their product to check for purity.

Citations: 

Thermal stability of solid and aqueous solutions of humic acid

Differential thermal analysis of metal-fulvic acid salts and complexes