Shilajit, the powerful “destroyer of weakness” from the Himalayas, is gaining immense popularity in Australia for its numerous health benefits. But with its rising popularity comes the unfortunate rise of counterfeit and low-quality products. As a discerning consumer seeking authentic Shilajit in Sydney or anywhere in Australia, how can you be sure you’re getting the real deal? We often get asked how can you test the quality of the Shilajit, and we recommend the below home based tests that can be done.
At ShilajitAustralia.shop, we’re committed to transparency and quality. We offer only the purest Upakarma branded Shilajit Resin, rigorously tested for authenticity and potency. This blog will delve into the various methods used to test Shilajit, empowering you to make informed decisions about your health.
Home Tests for Shilajit Resin:
While not as conclusive as lab tests, these simple tests can be performed at home to give you a preliminary indication of your Shilajit’s quality:
- Solubility Test:
- How: Place a small piece of Shilajit resin in a glass of warm water.
- Authentic Shilajit: Should dissolve completely within 10-15 minutes, leaving the water a reddish-gold or dark brown color without any residue or sediment.
- Impure/Fake Shilajit: May not dissolve completely, leave behind residue, or color the water black (indicating the presence of fillers like charcoal).
- Pliability Test:
- How: Take a small piece of Shilajit resin and warm it between your fingers.
- Authentic Shilajit: Should become soft and sticky when warm and harden when cooled.
- Impure/Fake Shilajit: May remain hard even when warmed or be overly sticky due to added binders.
- Flame Test:
- How: Using tongs, hold a small piece of Shilajit over a flame.
- Authentic Shilajit: Will not burn easily. It may bubble slightly but should not catch fire or produce a strong, plastic-like smell.
- Impure/Fake Shilajit: May burn readily with a strong, acrid smell, indicating the presence of added polymers or other flammable substances.
- Caution: Do this in a well ventilated area.
- Smell Test:
- How: Smell the Shilajit resin.
- Authentic Shilajit: Should have a strong, earthy, slightly smoky, and often described as a “bitter-sweet” aroma. Some even detect a slight cow urine-like scent, which is a characteristic of high-quality Shilajit.
- Impure/Fake Shilajit: May have a weak or chemical odor or smell like burnt rubber.
Laboratory Tests for Shilajit: Ensuring Purity and Potency
For definitive proof of quality, laboratory testing is essential. Reputable brands like Upakarma invest in rigorous lab testing to guarantee the purity, potency, and safety of their Shilajit. With lab tests, ensure that they are from an independent lab. Some provide lab certificates that are paid for so be careful here too. The Upakarma brand’s shilajit is tested by an independent lab in Delhi. Here are some key tests conducted:
- Heavy Metal Analysis:
- Purpose: To detect and quantify the presence of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.
- Method: Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a highly sensitive technique used to measure trace amounts of heavy metals.
- Importance: Heavy metals can be toxic and should be below safe limits in any consumable product.
- Fulvic Acid Content Measurement:
- Purpose: To determine the concentration of fulvic acid, a key bioactive component of Shilajit.
- Method: Spectrophotometric methods or High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) are used to measure fulvic acid content.
- Importance: Fulvic acid is responsible for many of Shilajit’s health benefits, and a higher percentage indicates a more potent product. Reputable brands should have at least 50% or more.
- Microbiological Testing:
- Purpose: To ensure the absence of harmful bacteria, yeast, and mold.
- Method: Standard microbiological culture techniques are employed to identify and quantify any microbial contamination.
- Importance: Ensures the product is safe for consumption and free from harmful pathogens.
- Authentication/Identification Tests:
- Purpose: To verify the authenticity of Shilajit and rule out adulteration.
- Methods: Techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) can be used to identify the unique chemical fingerprint of Shilajit.
- Importance: Helps distinguish genuine Shilajit from fakes or imitations.
- PAH Testing (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons):
- Purpose: To test for the presence of harmful contaminants like Benzo(a)pyrene, which are formed during the improper drying or processing of organic materials.
- Method: Often HPLC or Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Importance: Shilajit should be free of dangerous PAHs. This is a good indicator of the safety of the processing methods used.
The Upakarma Commitment to Quality:
At ShilajitAustralia.shop, we source only the highest quality Upakarma branded Shilajit Resin. Each batch undergoes rigorous third-party lab testing to ensure it meets the highest standards of purity, potency, and safety. We provide Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for our products, allowing you to verify the results of these tests.
Conclusion:
Don’t compromise on your health by settling for inferior Shilajit. By understanding how to test Shilajit resin, both at home and through laboratory analysis, you can make informed choices and experience the true power of this ancient Himalayan remedy. Choose authentic Shilajit Resin from ShilajitAustralia.shop and embark on a journey to optimal well-being.
