Shilajit Tek-Joon

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Shilajit {Tek-Joon]

S.T. Phuntsog! and Gurmet Namgiall

The paper presents a picture ofsource of Shilajit and potentialities attri-buted to it by Amchi physicians. TheSUbject of study on Shilajit with its variedviews with regard to origin opens up aninteresting field for investigation.

IntroductionIn Ladakh Shilajit is called

Tak-Joon. Tak means rocks andJoon means extracts. It has beenused in the Amchi system ofmedicine either singly or in com-bination since remote past. Ithas particular role in longeivityand rejuvenation and considereda panacea for all ailments in the

1. Project 0 fficer, Both from AmchiResearch Unit, Leh-Laddakh,

2. Research Officer.

human body. The Amchi authora-tive text, Teemet Shel-Tengdescribed that it has tremen-dous protective and curativeeffect on disease of liver,stomach and kidney, while thegreat Indian physicians, philoso-phers like Ashwagosh and Nagar-juna went upto the extent ofsaying that there is no diseaseon earth, which cannot be curedby Shilajit. Different views prevailand mystery lives behind itsformation. Some regarded it as ofvegetable origin and some as ananimal product but Amchi textualsources indicated it as mineral.Its actual chemical constituentsare yet to be assessed by geoche-mical tests.Synonyms: A wide range ofsynonyms are used to describeShilajit depending on itspotency and effect. Themeaning for the words used isprovided for understanding theimplied property, potential oraction.

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S.T. Phuntsog et 8/

S.No. Name in Amchi1. Srit-pei-Chenpsems Marpo2. Sheelajatoor3 . Umev-Nel-Kbrek4. Drak Ter-ve-ken5 . Aga-ya6. Awa7. Drak-ki-khrak8. Drek-ki-ru-di-re9. Dhrak-dra10. Drek-ki-rekts11. Sa-taing-nat-joms12. Khrek-ki-Dud-rchee13. Jung-wai Khrak

14. Rin-chen-chut15. Srlt-pey-khems16. Khams-nay-chut-sman17. Chhen-khris, Nat-sail

18. Chben-Rchee

Modern scientists have diverseviews as regards to its origin.According to a belief prevalent,Dud- Rchee Purnpa. the nectar ofvessel is derived from meltingeffect of rocks and found likeunmelted pitch in high mountains.Astangha Sangraha (Yan-Lak-gyal-pa) described that all rocks

MeaningRed Bodhi-citta of SamsaraShilajitParvati's menstrual bloodMedicinal rockSupremePurityRock's bloodRock's bloodAkin to bloodBlood of rockHealer of diseases on earthRock's nectarPrimordialelements of bloodDiamonds's bloodElements of UniverseFive elements tonicHealer of hepatic and splenicdiseases.Hepatic pain

contain many alloys, elementslike gold, silver, copper, iron andlead. When direct and strongicteric sun rays fall on the rocksfor centuries and these elementsooze out like a resin, from thefissure of rocks and this resin orextract is called Tek-Joon orShitejit,

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S.T. Phuntsog et 8/

S.No. Variety Best Good Average Inferior1. Golden variety Saffron colour Golden colour Raw brown sugar or Wheat extract likernolasses-l ike2. Silvery Bans-lochen-Iike White honey Rice paste like Wheat paste-like3 . Coppery Brown glass Red Chandan Red clay Dried blood4. Iron Chinese ink Solid blood clot Domestic smoke crust Muddy5 . Lead Dark stone Blue stone Dried tendon Black iron

Properties:. j : > . The properties and characters of various Shilajit are different, as depicted below:-enen

S.No. Variety Colour and hue Taste Potency Therapeutic value1. Golden Shi/ajit Reddish-yellow Sweet Cold and oi Iy Effective in humoral and

biliary diseases, generaldebility restorative

2. Silvery Whitish Sweet Cold and dry Infectious diseases.Eczemas and anti-leprosy,

3 . Coppery Greenish-red or like Salty Cold Gastric & hepatic disorderpea-cock's neck

4. Iron Blackish Astringent Hot and strong Health tonic and haemati-nic

5 . Lead Light black -do- Hot and heavy Tonic for general debilityand metabolic restorative


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Shilajit (Tak-Joon)

There is another inferiorvariety which is being used inLadakh is called JAP-JOON.The name is derived from wildrodent (Japra) mountain mouse,which has high tendency forlicking the oozed out Shilajit. It isquite possible that on high, dryand inaccessible rocks like theonce in Ladakh it could be theonly liquid available for the rodentto quench its thirst. In Kargilregion this rodent is called asKhra-Kharara. The faeces of thisrodent contains undigestedShilajit therefore Kongsman, areknown Tibetan physician advo-cated its use and it has limitedtherapeutic value.Method of purification

Shilajit is found very rarely inpure form. As it oozes out fromfissures of rocks it is mixed withsand, stone, vegetable leaves andeven with faeces of mountainmouse. This crude form is soakedin warm water in airtight pot for2-3 days. Then spill the wateryportion and filter it in muslincloth to separate the residualportion. Add water and repeatthe process again and again. Boilthe filterate with a gentle andslow flame. While boiling conti-nous stirring and cleaning ofsides of pot is essential. As soonas the filterate becomes semi-solid then add little fresh cow'sbutter then reduce the flame andslowly stirr it atleast for six hours

to make it a thick scum, removeit on a clean smooth place andmake into smaller cakes. Finaltest is done by putting a drop ona steel piece, cool it. If it hasbecome crystal-like and easilycrushable the processing is con-sidered perfect. If still sticky thenit needs boiling.

Therapeutic uses:The individual therapeutic

effect of various Shilajits arealready enumerated. It is used ina number of compound prepara-tions of Amchi medicine. In factit withstood the test of time andhas shown to possess protectiveeffect in hepatic and other meta-bolic diseases. Deshet-Sangey-Gyatso, a celebrated Tibetanphysician, has described thefollowing receipe in his bookMan-Nak Lanthaps. Though thetherapeutic value of the receipeis a very much exaggerated, itseems logical and convincing thatthis receipe contains all essentialelements of food we have beenusing and in many cases withencouraging results.

Shilajit is the essence ofrock elements. Magnesium, theessence of stone, healsbones. Molasses the essence ofplants vitalizes general health.Honey the essence of flowersincreases the humoral system.Butter the essenceof fats enhancesthe energy. Juniper, paloo herb,

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Sbllejlt (Tek=Joon )

5) Rock of Nyerma.6) Yarpa Gongma of Dumkhar.All these sites are located on the

range of Western Himalayas Northof river Indus approximately at analtitude of 10,000 to 12,000 feetabove sea level.

This preliminary paper intro-duces the reader to great potentia-lities attributed to Shilajit in AmchiMedical System.

~~ ~Iq it 9;fPl'

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Shilajit Tek-Joon