Toponymy is a complex science. Scientists are always interested in the origin of certain geographical names. Historians are also particularly interested in remote geographical objects, the names of which cause a lot of questions. A striking example is the Altai Mountains.
Here, dense coniferous forests grow on the gentle slopes, between them on the plains and in the highlands the purest turquoise of lakes, mountain rivers abound with noisy waterfalls — all this, together with velvety grass on alpine meadows, is the main wealth of this region.
In Altai, the cultures of several countries — Russia, China, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia - have bizarrely converged. And this is not surprising, because it is at this point that the borders of these states converge. But why did Altai get the name "Golden Mountains"? Let's look at what scientists, travelers, and locals have to say about this.
Shilajit is collected in inaccessible mountain gorges, rock crevices, and caves, which usually coincide with the habitats of bats and rodents.
Harvesters prefer solid raw Shilajit, black conglomerates with a specific smell, where the natural resin is mixed with stones, grass, sand. They are crushed, soaked in water, and defended, waiting for the ballast to settle. Then the dark liquid is thoroughly stirred and filtered through gauze. Excess moisture is removed by evaporation. It turns out a purified Shilajit – a thick viscous mass of dark brown color, completely soluble in water.
Ancient traditions of collecting Shilajit of indigenous Siberian people.
The inhabitants of Siberia have for many centuries preferred to collect during the period from the feast of Ivan Kupala (July 7) to Ilyin's Day (July 20). Historians explain this by the ancient traditions of collecting herbs in this region. According to the beliefs of indigenous tribes of residents, it was from July 7 to July 20 that pagan spirits transmitted their power to herbs, stones, resins, and other natural elements.
Slightly different traditions were in Southern Siberia. So, the indigenous people began collecting Shilajit on the holidays of the heyday of Nature, the Orthodox Trinity, or the Slavic holiday Zelenets (Birch Day), when the onset of summer is celebrated for three days, that is, either in the very last days of May or in the first week of June. This is not surprising, since it is much milder in the south of Siberia than in its other regions.
Siberians believed that resin collected on Trinity Day, or better on its eve, was considered the most healing and was used by healers and shamans to treat the most complex diseases and ailments. They were gathered in clean light clothes by the younger members of the family (clan) – young men and women.
In the East, the healing properties of Shilajit were known since ancient times. It found recognition in other countries as well. The ancient Greek philosopher and pharmacist Aristotle and the Central Asian scientist Biruni, the Arab philosopher and physician Ibn Ruschts, the medieval French pharmacist Guy de la Fontsne, and the brilliant Italian Leonardo da Vinci paid tribute to this natural remedy.
Here's an interesting fact for you: in southern Siberia and Altai, people of the past also studied the beneficial properties of Shilajit. Moreover, the results of their research are in no way inferior to the research of ancient Greek and Arab sages.
Shamans of the tribes that lived in the Altai mountains in the 11-12th century used "Black Gold" (as they called this unique mountain resin) in the treatment of wounds of hunters, treatment of diseases of the elderly, increasing the immunity of women of the tribe, etc.
In this article, we will look at the several recipes from Shilajit that we inherited from the indigenous people of Altai.
It’s important to mention that today shilajit is recognized as a dietary supplement, not a drug that is supposed to prevent or cure a disease. However, please consult with your physician or healthcare provider before taking this or any other dietary supplements. Even following shamans’ advice requires a good judgement and proper consultation with a medical expert. Be Healthy!
Shilajit has a bitter taste, it has a specific smell similar to oil. Interestingly, it almost completely dissolves in water, leaving only small sediment. Not everyone likes the taste of pure Shilajit. For this reason, remedies based on Altai resin are a mixture of Shilajit and all kinds of natural additives that change the taste to a pleasant one.
Those who prefer pure Shilajit often mix it with water, coffee, milk, and honey. One of the most popular drinks is herbal tea. It is customary for them to finish almost any meal, and in general, the daily consumption of tea for a modern person is very high. So, is it possible to mix Altai Shilajit with tea?
Mixing Altai Shilajit with green tea, you deal a double blow to many unpleasant diseases. In addition, this combination is an excellent tool for preventing health disorders and increasing the body's immunity.
It is a black tea that perfectly reduces the feeling of nausea and is actively working to create beneficial microflora in the intestines. In combination with Altai Shilajit, black tea is an effective remedy for intoxication of the body.
Which tea is tastier with Shilajit?
It depends. If you are truly concerned about health benefits of tea – definitely pick green tea and variations of it – herbal tea, even pine needle tea which we discussed later in our blog. But not everyone is only interested in the beneficial properties of tea - for some, the taste and color of the drinking matter. Black tea has a richer taste and a much brighter color due to the thearubigins (polyphenols) it contains, which are formed during the fermentation of black tea.
The main advantages of Shilajit Dry drops include:
The shilajit dry drops should be taken twice a day, preferably in the morning and evening. The course of treatment should be two to four months. Treatment depends on your health condition. Please consult with your doctor. The tablets can be taken in a variety of ways:
