In the supplement world, shilajit is the supplement that is popular among many. If you read about shilajit, the first thing that people point out is that it has 85+ trace minerals in it. Boron is almost always on that list, usually with a line or two about bone health and hormone support tacked on. But one really important thing is the quantity of boron in shilajit, which is not revealed by most. So let's actually dig into it.
So in short, shilajit does have boron in it, but the full picture is more interesting than this, and that will be covered in this article.
What Is Shilajit?
A sticky, tar-like mountain resin formed when the plants that are found in the mountains of the Himalayas are trapped between the rocks for years and decompose with the organisms around it. This is how shilajit is formed, it has plenty of minerals and nutrients in it, along with the heavy metals and toxic contaminants that it picks up from the rocks and its surroundings. But those heavy metals and contaminants are filtered out during the purification process of shilajit.
What Boron Is and What It Actually Does
According to Pizzorno (2015), boron is a micronutrient that is really important for our metabolism and is needed by plants, animals, and human beings. Boron is a trace mineral, meaning the body needs it in very small amounts, but those small amounts do real work. Here are a few known and consistent roles of it:
Bone Health
The study revealed that boron supports calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, and not only this, but also increases the trabecular bone density and cortical bone volume, particularly in postmenopausal women.
Wound Healing
Boron supports and improves wound healing and also supports the tissue repair process in the body.
Cognitive Function
Boron has shown a contribution in enhancing cognitive performance and short-term memory, especially in older adults.
Hormone Metabolism
Boron beneficially impacts how the body uses estrogen, testosterone, and vitamin D, helping regulate hormone levels relevant to bone and reproductive health.
Does Shilajit Actually Contain Boron?
Basavaraja et al. (2025) found that there is boron in shilajit, as per the study conducted by them. They found a small amount of boron in it, about 0.1 parts per million. The study was carried out on shilajit obtained from the Himalayas using various analytical methods.
In this batch of shilajit that was studied, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium were the major components. The second tier group is zinc, silicon, strontium, aluminum, and manganese, along with boron, which were present in small amounts in this shilajit.
Should You Rely on Shilajit for Boron Intake?
Your boron needs shouldn't rest on shilajit alone. You will find more boron in other food sources than in shilajit:
Here are some food items that have boron in them:
-
Dried fruits (prunes, raisins, apricots)
-
Avocados
-
Nuts, especially almonds
-
Legumes like chickpeas and lentils
-
Leafy greens
Rather than fully depending on shilajit for your boron intake, you can take shilajit as a supporter to your boron supplementation.
Some shilajit products that are available in the market do not fully rely on the natural boron that is present in shilajit, instead, they add boron citrate so that the final product of shilajit has more boron than others. This is something that is totally dependent on the brand, but it means the boron in that bottle has almost nothing to do with the shilajit itself, it's a separate ingredient sharing the label. Worth knowing before you assume "shilajit" and "shilajit with added boron" are the same thing.
Other Minerals Found in Shilajit
Boron aside, the study done by Chaudhary et al. (2016) gives a good rundown of what else the resin contains and why it's earned its reputation:
The study also identifies these as the core organic compounds, alongside the roughly 85+ minerals present in ionic form, and links them to shilajit's antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, nootropic, anti-anxiety, and antiviral properties.
Iron
It is present in more substantial amounts, relevant to energy and oxygen transport.
Zinc and Copper
They are trace elements tied to immune function and antioxidant activity
Selenium
Selenium is another trace mineral noted in shilajit research for its antioxidant role
How to Actually Verify What's In Your Shilajit
As a consumer of shilajit, you must always purchase the product that is authentic and pure. Shilajit's safety largely depends on processing quality, properly filtered shilajit is free of heavy metals and contaminants, making it a clean, mineral-dense supplement
So for that, you need to buy from a brand that is transparent about its sourcing and purification processes. A third-party lab report is really important, as it will suggest whether shilajit is safe to consume or not.
Make sure you purchase from a brand that is trustworthy and reputable for the best shilajit product.
Conclusion
Shilajit does contain boron, that part of the popular claim is true. But it is present in trace amounts in the shilajit, so if you are thinking of fully relying on shilajit for boron intake, then you should turn to food sources, or a dedicated supplement will get you there more reliably. If you are taking shilajit for its broader mineral and fulvic acid profile, that's a better-supported reason, just don't expect boron to be doing much of the heavy lifting.
FAQs
Is the boron in shilajit enough to affect testosterone?
Unlikely on its own. The trace amounts found in shilajit are far smaller than the doses used in the still limited studies linking boron to hormone changes.
How much boron do I need daily?
There is no official recommended daily allowance for boron, although some research has used doses between 3 and 6 mg to study its effects. Most people get some boron through a varied diet without taking a separate supplement.
Is shilajit with added boron better than plain shilajit?
It depends on your goal. If you specifically want a measurable boron dose, a product containing added boron citrate will provide it more reliably than the naturally occurring trace amounts in shilajit. If you use shilajit for its fulvic acid and wider mineral profile, added boron may not be the deciding factor.
Does dissolving shilajit in hot water destroy its minerals?
Shilajit is normally dissolved in warm water or milk rather than boiled. Moderate heat does not meaningfully remove minerals such as boron, iron, or zinc. However, very high heat applied for a prolonged period may affect some heat sensitive organic compounds, so lukewarm or warm liquid is the safer approach.
How is the boron in shilajit different from a boron supplement?
A dedicated boron supplement, such as boron citrate or boron glycinate, is formulated to provide a specific and measurable dose. In shilajit, boron occurs naturally in trace amounts alongside other minerals, so shilajit should not be considered a replacement for a dedicated boron supplement.
References
Basavaraja, D., Katkar, R., Dhaka, P., Tomar, S., Sircar, D., Chikara, G., & Panda, P. K. (2025). Chemical analysis of native Himalayan shilajit: An evaluation of an Ayurvedic formulation. ACS Omega, 10(47), 57097–57106. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c05533
Chaudhary, S. P., Singh, A. K., & Dwivedi, K. N. (2016). Medicinal properties of shilajit: A review. Indian Journal of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, 2(3), 103–106.
Pizzorno, L. (2015). Nothing boring about boron. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal, 14(4), 35–48.
Written By:
Meera Kami is a writer at Everest Shilajit, where she covers natural wellness, herbal traditions, and the science behind them, with a particular interest in how shilajit is studied and used today. Her approach is research-driven, turning evidence, field stories, and brand ideas into clear, source-focused content while still appreciating the cultural history behind these remedies.
Disclaimer
The content provided in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
