# Shilajit for iron deficiency and anaemia

Source: https://shilajit.uk/benefits/iron-and-anaemia/
Author: Sam Rowan · Updated 2026-10-16

**Short answer:** There is no evidence that shilajit treats iron deficiency or anaemia. No study has tested it in anaemic people. The one human study that measured haemoglobin found no change after 45 days of 2 g a day in healthy students (Sharma et al., 2003). Iron deficiency anaemia is treated with iron tablets prescribed after a blood test.

**Evidence grade:** No evidence. No human studies support this claim.

Shilajit is often sold as a natural iron tonic, and the logic sounds reasonable: it contains iron, and Ayurvedic texts list anaemia among its traditional uses. But containing iron is not the same as treating iron deficiency. We searched PubMed for studies of shilajit (also called mumijo or momiai) and iron, anaemia or haemoglobin, and found no study that has tested shilajit in anaemic people or animals.

The little evidence that exists either measured something else, was done in healthy animals, or found no effect. We grade the evidence as none.

## Does shilajit raise haemoglobin?

The only human study to measure it found no change. In a 2003 study, 20 healthy medical students took 2 g of purified shilajit a day for 45 days, and 10 took a placebo (Sharma et al., 2003). The researchers reported "no change in hemoglobin level and cell counts". That is a high dose, roughly four to eight times what most modern trials use, given for six weeks.

The students weren't anaemic, so this doesn't rule out an effect in people who are. But it is the only direct human measurement, and it's negative.

A 2026 manufacturer-run study of a shilajit resin also checked blood counts as a safety measure in 25 healthy men and reported they stayed within normal limits after 28 days (Yadav et al., 2026). It wasn't designed to look for a rise.

## Where does the anaemia claim come from?

Mainly from tradition and from one rat study's conclusion. Here's what each source actually shows:

| Source | What it did | What it found | Does it support treating anaemia? |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sharma et al., 2003 | 2 g/day for 45 days in 20 healthy students vs 10 on placebo | No change in haemoglobin or blood cell counts | No |
| Velmurugan et al., 2012 | Rats given 500 to 5,000 mg/kg for 91 days; organ iron measured | No significant change in iron levels, except in the liver at the highest dose | No; it was a safety study in healthy rats |
| Agwaan, 2026 | 18 healthy female lambs given 50 or 100 mg/kg in summer | Higher haemoglobin, haematocrit and red cell counts | Not for people; healthy livestock under heat stress |
| Meena et al., 2010 | Narrative review, no experiments | States fulvic acid helps iron absorption, citing other publications rather than new data | No original data |
| Kozlovskaia, 1972 | Russian paper on "Caucasian mummy" and blood | No abstract available | Unknown |

The rat study is often quoted because its conclusion says black shilajit is "safe for long term use as a dietary supplement for a number of disorders like iron deficiency anaemia" (Velmurugan et al., 2012). But the study only gave shilajit to healthy rats and checked whether iron built up in their organs. It never tested whether shilajit corrects anaemia. Its main finding, that tissue iron barely changed, doesn't show shilajit delivering extra iron to the body.

The lamb study is the only one to report a rise in red blood cells, but the animals weren't anaemic, the doses were large, it was a single small study by one author, and sheep digest food very differently from people.

## Does shilajit contain iron?

Yes, but the amount varies widely and is rarely stated. A 2026 analysis of 12 samples from different regions found iron among the essential elements present, alongside calcium, magnesium, zinc and manganese, with distinct variability from sample to sample (Kamgar et al., 2026). Shilajit is mostly humic substances and calcium, potassium and magnesium (see [composition](/what-is-shilajit/composition/)), so iron is a minor part.

The claim that fulvic acid makes iron especially easy to absorb hasn't been tested in people taking shilajit.

## How is iron deficiency anaemia actually treated?

With a diagnosis first. The NHS explains that a GP will usually arrange a full blood count and look for the cause, which is often heavy periods, pregnancy or bleeding in the gut. If your red blood cell count is low, iron tablets are recommended, usually for about six months, with repeat blood tests to check progress.

Finding the cause matters. Iron deficiency can be the first sign of a problem such as a stomach ulcer or, less commonly, a bowel cancer. Treating tiredness with a supplement and skipping the blood test risks missing that.

## Who should avoid shilajit because of its iron?

People with haemochromatosis, an inherited condition where iron builds up in the body. The NHS advises them to avoid iron supplements, and it's particularly common in people with Irish, Scottish or Welsh heritage. Shilajit hasn't been studied in haemochromatosis, so this is a precaution based on what shilajit contains, not a proven harm.

If you're tired and wondering whether low iron is the cause, read our page on [energy and fatigue](/benefits/energy-and-fatigue/) and speak to your GP. For contaminants and other risks, see [side effects](/safety/side-effects/) and [heavy metals](/safety/heavy-metals/). The [benefits overview](/benefits/) shows how this claim compares with others.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much iron is in shilajit?

It varies a lot between samples and isn't usually stated on labels. Analyses of 12 samples from different regions found iron among the essential elements, with distinct variability between them (Kamgar et al., 2026). No study has measured how much iron a typical daily dose provides.

### Can I take shilajit with iron tablets?

Nobody has studied the combination. If your GP has prescribed iron, take it as directed and ask your pharmacist before adding any supplement.

### Is shilajit safe if I have haemochromatosis?

We'd advise against it. The NHS tells people with haemochromatosis to avoid iron supplements, and shilajit contains iron. This is a precaution based on its contents, not a tested risk.

## References

1. [Sharma P et al. Shilajit: evaluation of its effects on blood chemistry of normal human subjects. Anc Sci Life. 2003;23(2):114-9.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22557121/)
2. [Velmurugan C et al. Evaluation of safety profile of black shilajit after 91 days repeated administration in rats. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2012;2(3):210-4.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23569899/)
3. [Agwaan HWK. The physiological effects of administering different concentrations of Shilajit to Awassi lambs and their impact on productive trait and blood parameters and some biochemical measurements. Open Vet J. 2026;16(1):88-95.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42375260/)
4. [Kozlovskaia VI. [The stimulating effect of Caucasian mummy on the composition of peripheral blood]. Vrach Delo. 1972;6:123-6.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4625454/) Russian-language paper; no abstract available, so we could not assess it.
5. [Meena H et al. Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems. Int J Ayurveda Res. 2010;1(1):37-40.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20532096/)
6. [Kamgar E et al. Characterization of metal composition and molecular weight distribution in Shilajit. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2026;96:127913.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42364294/)
7. [Yadav D et al. Safety and Efficacy of TruBlk Shilajit Resin Supplementation on Physical Performance and Blood Biomarkers in Healthy Adults: A 28-Day Open-Label Pilot Study. Cureus. 2026;18(1):e102372.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41613504/)
8. [NHS. Iron deficiency anaemia.](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/)
9. [NHS. Haemochromatosis.](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/haemochromatosis/)