Altai mumio – a traditional remedy full of health benefits?

Mumio is an ancient natural remedy originating from the mountains of Central Asia. To this day, it is not known exactly how mumio is formed. This mostly black-brown substance is collected in the Altai Mountains. It has numerous medicinal properties, especially due to its high content of fulvic and humic acids. For many people, mumio remains an unknown mystery full of health benefits. What should you know about mumio and what is it useful for?

Mumio – what is it?

Mumio (Sanskrit shilajit) is a resin-like substance originating from the Altai and Himalayan mountain ranges. This mysterious black-brown substance has unique healing properties, particularly affecting bone health, the immune system, physical fitness and overall human performance.

The origin of mumio itself is not entirely known, but scientists believe that the low-temperature environment of the mountains is conducive to the fermentation of various plants, which ultimately become a mixture of this black substance. Shilajit can currently only be found in a few places on Earth, and only experienced collectors can determine whether they are dealing with mumio or not. It is characterised by a smooth, shiny surface and a strong, smoky aroma.

Mumio, or shilajit, can be directly translated as ‘blood from the mountains’ or ‘oil from the mountains’, as mumio is found particularly in caves and crevices in the mountain ranges of Central Asia. It has been traditionally used for thousands of years as a preventive measure and tonic in the form of remedies with added honey.

Himalayan and Altai mumio – composition of substances

The active compounds contained in mumio are still relatively poorly understood. Its main ingredient, responsible for its many health-promoting properties, appears to be dibenzo-α-pyron, as well as humic and fulvic acids. In addition, Himalayan and Altai mumio also consists of over 85 minerals and various proteins!

As with any natural product, the health-promoting functions of mumio are related to the synergistic action between the product's ingredients. What ingredients in mumio are worth knowing about? These are:

• Dibenzo-α-pyrones – a group of metabolites of plant, mycobiont or fungal origin. They have a variety of effects, including antioxidant, anti-allergic and antimicrobial properties;
• Humic acids – a group of organic compounds found in soil, peat and coal. They bind to plant roots, enabling them to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. In humans, they have properties that improve the body's immune regulation;
• Fulvic acid – belongs to the family of organic acids. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects on the human body and strengthens the immune system.

Mumio – what does shilajit help with?

Shilajit is rich in minerals, antioxidants and even metals that are beneficial to health and prevent disease. In this way, they improve the overall health of the body. Studies have shown that mumio supplementation can:

• Improve cognitive function – fulvic acid is a powerful antioxidant that improves cognitive function. It prevents the accumulation of Tau protein, which in large amounts damages brain cells and cognitive functions such as conceptual thinking, learning, understanding and listening;
• Helps with Alzheimer's disease – the antioxidant effect of fulvic acid counteracts damage and ageing of brain cells, improving cognitive function. This, in turn, prevents or alleviates the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease;
• Promotes anti-ageing processes – the high concentration of fulvic and humic acids means that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds reduce free radicals, thereby reducing cell damage in the body. It thus slows down the ageing process and improves life expectancy;
• Lowers cholesterol levels – studies have shown that a group of patients who received shilajit for 3 months showed a significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to placebo groups;
• Improves the condition of the circulatory system – the cardioprotective properties of mumio alleviate the symptoms of arrhythmia and reduce the risk of heart disease. This is due to antioxidants that improve cell health. What is more, mumio has hypoglycaemic properties, increasing insulin production and limiting the breakdown of starch into glucose;
• Increases fertility in men – some studies suggest that consuming Altai mumio significantly increases total sperm count and improves the production of sex hormones, including testosterone in men;
• Regulates menstruation – shilajit maintains the body's homeostasis by regulating the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone. It thus helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and reduces menstrual cramps and pain, which often accompany the premenstrual period;
• Relieves pain and inflammation – the anti-inflammatory properties of mumio help reduce inflammation. What is more, mumio also significantly increases pain tolerance;
• Has a calming effect – shilajit has antidepressant properties that help calm the senses and reduce symptoms of anxiety and physical and mental stress.

How to use mumio – the secrets of Ayurvedic medicine

Altai mumio is available in liquid, solid and capsule form. What are the differences between the various types of mumio products?

• Live mumio – this type of mumio is a purified form of the supplement. A portion of no more than 250 mg (approximately 1 large tablespoon) can be dissolved in water, juice or milk with the addition of honey (50 ml) and drunk 1 to 3 times a day. Liquid mumio – this liquid supplement can be drunk up to twice a day with the addition of your favourite juice, milk or water in similar proportions as above. Liquid mumio – the liquid supplement can be drunk up to twice a day with your favourite juice, milk or water in proportions similar to those above;
• Mumio tablets – mumio capsules may contain pure mumio extract as well as additional substances such as ashwagandha. Mumio tablets can be taken 1 to 2 times a day with water or milk.

The recommended dose of Altai mumio ranges from 300 to 500 milligrams per day. These are safe doses that have been verified by clinical trials.

It is very important to obtain mumio only from a trusted and reliable source. Unfiltered mumio may contain certain dangerous fungi. It is contaminated Altai mumio from an unknown source that can cause a variety of health problems, such as food poisoning. However, when using mumio from a reliable and known source, you can be sure of the safety of the product, which is helpful in the long-term treatment of various conditions, such as anaemia or rheumatoid arthritis.

Mumio reviews – is it effective?

Opinions on mumio seem to clearly emphasise its visible effect in combating fatigue. Some users of mumio-based supplements or pure raw material point to a noticeable increase in cognitive function, such as processes related to short- and long-term memory.

Most users, in turn, notice an improvement in the immune system and a reduction in the symptoms of inflammation after just two weeks of supplementation, also due to the analgesic effect characteristic of mumio.

Still others note a strong link between the use of mumio and a reduced desire to reach for products containing nicotine or alcohol. This seems to confirm research suggesting that the active ingredients in mumio may have a noticeable effect on reducing physical addiction associated with the need to use another dose of a given substance.

However, it is worth remembering that medicine is still researching the effects of long-term mumio supplementation. For this reason, it is not possible to correctly verify whether these opinions are reflected in clinical trials. Therefore, as with any substance, before starting supplementation, it is advisable to seek professional advice from a specialist in order to select the appropriate dose and duration of supplementation.

Bibliography

‘Antiulcerogenic and antiinflammatory studies with shilajit’ – R. K. Goel, R. S. Banerjee, S. B. Acharya, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Elsevier Science, 1990.

‘Shilajit attenuates behavioural symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome by modulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and mitochondrial bioenergetics in rats’ – D. K. Surapaneni, S. R. Adapa, K. Preeti, G. R. Teja, M. Veeraragavan, S. Krishnamurthy, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Elsevier Science, 2012.

‘Safety and Efficacy of Shilajit (Mumie, Moomiyo)’ – J. S. Stohs, Phytotherapy Research, John Wiley & Sons, 2014.