# Mumijo vs Shilajit: Same Thing or Different? **By Minerals Pitch** ยท 2026-10-22 The short answer Mumijo and Shilajit are the same thing: a dark natural resin that forms over a very long time in the rock crevices of high mountain ranges. "Mumijo" is the name used in Persian, Russian and Central Asian tradition, while "Shilajit" is the name used in Pakistan, India and Nepal. There are real differences between products, but they come from where the resin was collected, how it was cleaned and what form it is sold in, not from the name on the label. If you have been reading about this mountain resin for a while, you have probably seen it called Mumijo, Mumiyo or Moomiyo on some sites and Shilajit on others. In Germany, Russia and much of Eastern Europe, Mumijo is the everyday name. In the UK, the US and South Asia, nearly everyone says Shilajit. It is natural to wonder whether these are two different products. They are not, and here is why. ## Where the two names come from **Mumijo** comes from the Persian word _mumiya_, which was used for dark, tar-like natural substances. The English word "mummy" shares the same root. The name travelled through Central Asia and Russia, where resin from the Altai and Pamir mountains has long been known, and from there into German and other European languages. You will also see it spelled Mumiyo or Moomiyo. **Shilajit** is a Sanskrit word, often translated as "conqueror of mountains". It is the usual name across the Himalayan region, in Pakistan, India and Nepal, where the resin has been part of traditional daily routines for centuries. In Urdu and Hindi you may also hear "Salajeet". So these are not two products. They are two language traditions describing the same natural resin. ## What Mumijo actually is Mumijo, or Shilajit, forms when plant matter is trapped between layers of rock and slowly breaks down over a very long time. In the warmer months the resin softens and seeps out of rock crevices, where it is collected by hand. The raw material still contains stone, soil and other impurities, so it has to be cleaned before it is safe to consume. Once cleaned, the resin is made up mainly of humic substances, especially fulvic acid, along with naturally occurring trace minerals. If you want to understand that part properly, our [plain-English guide to fulvic acid](/blogs/posts/what-is-fulvic-acid) covers it. ## Altai Mumijo vs Himalayan Shilajit The genuine difference is not between the names but between the regions. Products sold as Mumijo very often come from the Altai mountains on the borders of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. Products sold as Shilajit usually come from the Himalayas. Because geology, altitude, climate and plant life differ between these regions, the resin's makeup can differ too, for example in fulvic acid content or mineral profile. To be honest, though, origin alone does not tell you whether a particular product is good. How thoroughly it was cleaned and what its lab results show matter at least as much. We compare the two regions in more detail in [Himalayan Shilajit vs Altai Shilajit](/blogs/posts/himalayan-shilajit-vs-altai-shilajit). ## Tablets, capsules or resin? The other reason Mumijo and Shilajit can look like different products is the format. Mumijo is very often sold as tablets or capsules, which contain a dried extract and sometimes other added ingredients. Shilajit is more often sold as pure resin in a jar or as liquid drops. No format is automatically better. Resin is the most traditional form and, ideally, contains nothing but the cleaned resin itself. Tablets and capsules are convenient, but it is worth reading the ingredients list to see how much Mumijo is actually in each one and what else has been added. We go through the pros and cons in [Shilajit resin vs drops vs gummies](/blogs/posts/shilajit-resin-vs-drops-vs-gummies). ## What to check before you buy Whether the label says Mumijo or Shilajit makes no difference to quality. These things do. **Independent lab reports.** A trustworthy seller has its resin tested for heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, and for microbes, and shares the results. Ideally the fulvic acid content is stated too. **A clear origin.** The brand should be able to tell you which region the resin comes from and how it was cleaned. Something vague like "from the mountains" is not enough. **A short ingredients list.** Pure resin should contain nothing except the resin itself. With tablets and capsules, check what else is included. **Caution around big promises.** Mumijo is a food supplement, not a miracle cure. Sellers who promise to fix health problems or guarantee results are a warning sign. Our guide to [authentic vs fake Shilajit](/blogs/posts/authentic-shilajit-vs-fake-shilajit) shows how to spot the real thing. ## Minerals Pitch: Himalayan Mumijo under its local name Our Shilajit is, in effect, Himalayan Mumijo, sold under the name used where it is collected. We gather the resin in Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan, clean it with water, filtering and sun-drying, and pack it with nothing added. Every batch is tested by an independent lab, including for heavy metals, microbes and aflatoxins, and our latest report shows 53% fulvic acid. Production is certified to ISO 22000, GMP and HACCP, and our Shilajit is Halal certified. You can see every certificate on our [certifications page](/pages/certifications). If you would like to try it, our [30g Himalayan Shilajit resin](/products/shilajit-resin-30gram) is the most traditional form, and our [30ml Shilajit drops](/products/shilajit-drops-30ml) are the easier option if you prefer a liquid. Our [usage guide](/blogs/posts/shilajit-usage-guide) explains how much to take and when. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Mumijo the same as Shilajit? Yes. Both names describe the same natural mountain resin. Mumijo is the name from Persian, Russian and Central Asian tradition, and Shilajit is the name used in the Himalayan region. ### What does the word Mumijo mean? Mumijo comes from the Persian word mumiya, which was used for dark, tar-like natural substances. The English word "mummy" has the same origin. ### Is Altai Mumijo better or worse than Himalayan Shilajit? The makeup of the resin can differ by region, but origin alone does not decide quality. Thorough cleaning and independent lab results for the specific product matter more. ### Why is Mumijo usually sold as tablets? Tablets and capsules are a common format in European markets because they are easy to measure. Pure resin is the more traditional form and, ideally, contains no other ingredients. ### Who should not take Mumijo? Anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding or under 18 should avoid it. If you have a health condition or take regular prescriptions, speak to your doctor first. Read more in [who should not take Shilajit](/blogs/posts/who-should-not-take-shilajit). This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor. Statements about Shilajit have not been evaluated by the FDA, and Shilajit is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. **Tags:** mumijo, mumijo-vs-shilajit, shilajit-buying-guide --- > Source: [Natural Himalayan Shilajit | MineralsPitch](https://mineralspitch.com/blogs/posts/mumijo-vs-shilajit)