Shilajit and ashwagandha often sit side by side on men's wellness shelves, but they do different things. Here is how they differ and how to choose.
What is the difference between shilajit and ashwagandha?
Shilajit is a purified mineral resin that Ayurveda uses for vitality, while ashwagandha is a herb root used for resilience to stress and rest.
Shilajit seeps from rocks in high mountains such as the Himalayas and is purified before use, which is why labels say "shudh shilajit".
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a shrub root that Ayurveda classes as an adaptogen: something that helps the body handle everyday stress.
How do shilajit and ashwagandha compare side by side?
The table sums up the main differences.
| Feature | Shilajit | Ashwagandha |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Purified mountain resin (mineral + plant matter) | Root of the Withania somnifera shrub |
| Key compounds | Fulvic acid, dibenzo-alpha-pyrones, minerals | Withanolides |
| Traditional role | Energy, stamina, vitality | Stress resilience, rest, strength |
| Main human research focus | Strength during tiring exercise, testosterone in healthy men | Perceived stress, cortisol, testosterone in older men |
| Amounts used in studies | 250 to 500 mg a day of purified extract | 240 mg a day of standardised extract in the stress trial below |
| How it feels to most people | More "get up and go" | More "steady and calm" |
| Time to judge it | 8 to 12 weeks | About 8 weeks |
Verdict: choose shilajit if low energy and stamina are your main concern, and ashwagandha if daily stress and poor rest are. If you deal with both, a formula with both is a reasonable choice.
Which one should I take: shilajit or ashwagandha?
Match the herb to how you feel most days:
- "I'm tired and flat by evening, and workouts feel harder": shilajit is the closer fit.
- "I'm busy, tense and my mind won't switch off at night": ashwagandha is the closer fit.
- "Both, honestly": they can be taken together, and Ayurveda often pairs them.
Neither replaces the basics: good sleep, enough protein and daily movement do most of the work.
Can you take shilajit and ashwagandha together?
Yes. Ayurveda has long combined shilajit and ashwagandha in formulas for men, alongside herbs like gokshura and safed musli. They are generally considered complementary.
Some daily multivitamins for men, such as Strong 9, already contain both. Avoid stacking products that contain the same herb, and follow each label dose.
What does the research say?
For shilajit, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 45 to 55 gave 250 mg of purified shilajit twice a day for 90 days; total and free testosterone rose compared with placebo [1]. A randomised trial in 63 active young men found that 500 mg a day helped retain strength after a fatiguing test, while 250 mg did no better than placebo [2].
For ashwagandha, a 60-day randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 60 stressed but healthy adults gave 240 mg a day of a standardised extract; stress-related scores and morning cortisol fell more than with placebo [3]. A 16-week crossover trial in overweight men aged 40 to 70 found higher DHEA-S and testosterone with ashwagandha, but no clear difference from placebo in fatigue or vigour [4].
These were small studies of specific extracts and doses. None tested any Saabhi product, and they do not show that either herb treats any condition.
- Pandit S et al. (2016). Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia. Randomised controlled trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26395129/
- Keller JL et al. (2019). The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. Randomised controlled trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30728074/
- Lopresti AL et al. (2019). An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). Randomised controlled trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31517876/
- Lopresti AL et al. (2019). A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males. Am J Mens Health. Randomised controlled crossover trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30854916/
Who should avoid shilajit or ashwagandha?
Both were generally well tolerated in short studies, but some people need a doctor's advice first.
Is there an easy way to take shilajit and ashwagandha every day?
Saabhi Wellness makes science-backed functional wellness drinks and supplements for stress, detox, gut, sleep and daily energy, in convenient daily formats with ingredients dosed for results.
If you want both in one tablet, Saabhi Strong 9 is a daily multivitamin for men with Shudh Shilajit 50 mg and Ashwagandha 100 mg per tablet, alongside Sea Buckthorn 200 mg, Gokshura 100 mg, Vidari Kand 100 mg, Moringa 75 mg, Maca Root 50 mg, Haritaki 50 mg and White Musli 25 mg. Take 1 tablet twice a day after meals. Its daily shilajit (100 mg) and ashwagandha (200 mg) amounts are lower than in some trials above, because they are two of nine botanicals.
If stress is your main concern, Saabhi De-Stress Tablets contain Ashwagandha 300 mg, Jatamansi 100 mg, Tagar 100 mg and Shankhpushpi 100 mg per tablet, processed with Brahmi 500 mg. Take 1 tablet twice a day after meals; they are for adults 18 and over. Both are daily wellness supplements, not treatments. Explore the men's wellness range, or read more about shilajit benefits for men.
Frequently asked questions
Is shilajit or ashwagandha better for energy?
Shilajit is the herb traditionally used for energy and stamina, and small trials in healthy men suggest purified shilajit may support strength during tiring exercise. Ashwagandha is used more for stress resilience and rest.
Is ashwagandha or shilajit better for stress?
Ashwagandha is the one studied for everyday stress. In a 60-day randomised trial in stressed but healthy adults, a 240 mg daily extract lowered stress-related scores and morning cortisol more than placebo. Shilajit has not been studied much for stress.
Can I take shilajit and ashwagandha at the same time?
Yes, Ayurveda often combines them, and they are generally considered complementary. Saabhi Strong 9 contains both, at Shudh Shilajit 50 mg and Ashwagandha 100 mg per tablet, taken as 1 tablet twice a day after meals. Check with your doctor first if you take regular medicines.
How long do shilajit and ashwagandha take to work?
Both work gradually. Human studies of shilajit ran for 8 to 12 weeks, and the ashwagandha trials cited here ran for about 8 weeks. Give them at least two months of daily use before judging.
Who should not take shilajit or ashwagandha?
Children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and anyone on regular medicines or with a long-term, hormone-related or liver condition should speak to a doctor first. Choose purified shilajit with a heavy-metal lab report.
