Natural Ingredients · Humic substance
Fulvic Acid and Humic Acid
Humic substances (a mixture of organic molecules from decayed plant matter; not one compound and not a plant) · also called Fulvic acid, humic acid, humates; related materials include shilajit and Wujin
Fulvic acid and humic acid are dark organic substances that form as plant matter breaks down in soil, peat and coal. They are sold as supplements, often as shilajit or humate. We found no randomized trial of either one taken by people, so the health claims are untested. The main caution is quality: products vary, and shilajit analyses have reported heavy metals and thallium.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Fulvic Acid and Humic Acid
Fulvic acid and humic acid are not one standard ingredient: they are mixtures that form as plant matter breaks down, and what is in a product depends on where it came from and how it was extracted. We found no randomized trial of either in people. The safety story starts with quality, because shilajit analyses have reported toxic metals and thallium and we found no independent tests of fulvic acid supplements.
What they are
Fulvic acid is described as the main active component of humic substances. It forms as organic matter breaks down and can come from low-rank coal, peat and soil. Its quality depends on the extraction method.
Shilajit, a black natural exudate, is reported to be more than 80% humic substances by weight, with calcium, potassium and magnesium and some metals. Its exact makeup is not known with certainty.
A different product, carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid, is made by oxidising sugar instead of mining. Its makers say this avoids the variable makeup and metal impurities of environmental fulvic acids. Results for one material do not apply to another.
Traditional and current uses
A 2026 paper says Wujin, a mineral-derived Chinese medicine that contains humic and fulvic acids, was first recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica and has been used for inflammatory conditions. The same paper says its safety had not been systematically evaluated.
Reviews describe shilajit as a long-used traditional medicine and today a supplement. Tradition is not proof of benefit or safety.
What the research shows
People: no randomized trial of fulvic or humic acid alone. One nursing-home chart review of a three-part combination and a few small trials of shilajit, which is a related material.
Animals and cells: one fulvic acid material caused no deaths or toxic effects at the highest single dose tested, and no significant changes in a 60-day rat study at the highest amount tested. Fulvic acid helped gut injury in mice. Two mined formulations were well tolerated by cells and changed gut microbes in lab and animal tests.
Metals: humic substances bind metals in water. In mice they did not change gut uptake of cadmium, though kidney cadmium was lower. A review says the data on detox by shilajit still need to be clarified.
Limits: lab and animal findings do not give a safe or helpful amount for people, and many papers here were small or product-specific.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Wujin, a Chinese mineral medicine containing humic and fulvic acids, is recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica and was used in inflammatory conditions, according to a 2026 paper.
- Shilajit, which is mostly humic substances, has long been used as a traditional medicine according to a 2025 review.
Studied for research
- Any benefit in people, insufficient evidence (no trial of fulvic or humic acid alone)
- Nursing-home COVID-19 deaths (combination product), insufficient evidence
- Metal binding and detox, very low (mice and lab only)
- Gut injury and gut microbes, insufficient (cells and mice)
- Wound healing (sugar-derived fulvic acid), insufficient (rats)
- Shilajit for testosterone and bone (a related material), low
Main compounds
- Fulvic acid (the smaller, main active fraction)
- Humic acid (the larger fraction)
- In shilajit: over 80% humic substances by weight, plus calcium, potassium, magnesium and metals
Common forms
- Powders, liquids or capsules sold as fulvic or humic acid or humates
- Shilajit resin or extract (a related material)
- Sugar-derived fulvic acid made in a lab (not mined)
Research links: NCCIH: Detoxes and cleanses · Metals and humic substances in shilajit (review, 2024) · Thallium in shilajit supplements (2025) · Fulvic acid toxicology in animals (2020) · Fulvic acid extraction review (2026) · Poison Control · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Humic substances: humic acid and fulvic acid (mixtures of organic molecules, not a single compound)
- Synonyms
- Humic acid; Fulvic acid; Humates; Fulvic minerals (a sales term)
- Common names
- Fulvic acid (English); Humic acid (English); Ácido fúlvico (Spanish); Ácido húmico (Spanish)
- Family or group
- Natural organic mixtures formed as plant and animal matter breaks down (humic substances).
- Native range
- Found in soil, peat and low-rank coal (lignite).
- Habitat
- Soil, peat and coal deposits.
- What it looks like
- Dark brown to black organic material.
- Harvest and processing
- A 2026 review says fulvic acid can come from low-rank coal, peat and soil, and that its quality depends on the extraction method. A sugar-derived fulvic acid is made by wet oxidation of sucrose rather than mined.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Shilajit; Note: A black natural exudate reported to be more than 80% humic substances by weight. A related material, but not isolated fulvic acid, and with its own metal findings.; Name: Wujin; Note: A mineral-derived Chinese medicine said to contain humic and fulvic acid.; Name: Carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid; Note: Made from sugar, not mined. Results for one material do not apply to the others.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional medicine (Chinese) | Wujin, a mineral-derived medicine that contains humic and fulvic acids, was first recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica and has been used in inflammatory conditions, according to a 2026 paper, which also says its safety had not been systematically evaluated. | p41985640 |
| Traditional medicine (Ayurvedic, Tibetan and others) | Shilajit, which is mostly humic substances, has been used for a very long time as a medicine and supplement according to a 2025 review. We did not find a dated primary source in the abstracts read. | p38133965 |
| Modern supplements | Fulvic acid is described as a nutraceutical and in medicine, as well as in farming and environmental clean-up, in a 2026 review. | p41860641 |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulvic acid | humic substances (low-molecular-weight fraction) | Wujin batches averaged 0.21 mg/g in one analysis | Described as the main active component of humic substances; binds metals; lab effects on immune cells and microbes. 20 10 16 | Laboratory |
| Humic acid | humic substances (larger fraction) | Shilajit is reported as over 80% humic substances by weight (not split into types) | Part of shilajit and humate products; effects mostly studied in the lab and in animals. 7 22 | Laboratory |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal complexation | None | Humic substances bound over 90% of cadmium in water at higher concentrations; in mice they did not change gut uptake of cadmium but lowered kidney cadmium retention. 11 20 | Animal research |
| NF-kB signalling and inflammatory cytokines | NF-kB, TNF, IL-6 | Two mined fulvic formulations suppressed NF-kB activation and lowered TNF and IL-6 in stimulated monocytes in a dish. 16 | Laboratory research |
| Gut microbes | None | Two formulations raised microbial diversity and the share of Lactobacillus and Clostridia in lab and animal tests. 16 | Animal research |
| Cytokine and granulocyte-related gene expression | Csf3r, Csf2rb, Csf2rb2 | In 5-FU-injured mice fulvic acid changed 69 genes, mostly in cytokine pathways. 17 | Animal research |
| Direct antimicrobial effect | None | A sugar-derived fulvic acid inhibited many bacteria and fungi in the lab at 0.5% or lower. 21 | Laboratory research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not described in the sources read.
- Distribution
- In mice, humic substances changed kidney cadmium retention after absorption.
- Metabolism
- Not described.
- Elimination
- Not described.
- Bioavailability
- Not described.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Mined fulvic acid, peat humate, shilajit, Wujin and sugar-derived fulvic acid are different materials with different metal content. Results for one do not apply to another, and shilajit also holds minerals, amino acids and other compounds.
Nutritional composition
Fulvic and humic acids are not nutrients or vitamins. No dietary requirement exists. Shilajit and some humic products contain minerals such as calcium and magnesium, but they are not a reliable way to get them.
1 low certainty1 very low certainty4 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 6 benefits and uses checked for Fulvic Acid and Humic Acid, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Any health benefit of fulvic or humic acid taken by peopleNot enough evidence
- COVID-19 deaths in one nursing home (humic/fulvic acid plus EGCG and vitamin C)Not enough evidence
- Binding metals and 'detox'Very low certainty
- Gut lining and gut microbesNot enough evidence
- Wound healing (a sugar-derived fulvic acid, applied to the skin)Not enough evidence
- Shilajit, a related humic-rich material (testosterone, bone, strength)Low certainty
What is Fulvic Acid and Humic Acid good for?
The uses people ask about and how strong the evidence is for each. None of them is shown in people for fulvic or humic acid taken on its own.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Any health benefit of fulvic or humic acid taken by people
Not enough evidenceWe found no randomized trial of fulvic or humic acid taken on its own by people. The randomized trials that PubMed lists for humic or fulvic acid were in farm animals. So the plain answer is that human benefit has not been shown.
3 studiesNo advice on amounts is given here. Products sold as fulvic or humic …
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Search of PubMed (2026-10-30) for fulvic or humic acid with randomized or clinical trial filters returned two trials: one in feedlot cattle and one in nursery pigs. Neither was in people.
Why this rating
No human trial was found, so no rating above insufficient is possible.
Form and dose studied
No advice on amounts is given here. Products sold as fulvic or humic acid vary in source, extraction and metal content, and a label rarely says which.
Limits
Our search of one database cannot prove that no trial exists, and some trials may not be indexed under these words. Products differ, so a result for one would not apply to another.
Why researchers looked
Fulvic and humic acids are sold as supplements and drinks for 'energy', 'immunity' and 'detox'. People ask whether any of this has been tested.
Traditional use
Humic-rich materials such as shilajit and the Chinese mineral medicine Wujin have long traditional use. That is tradition, not proof for fulvic or humic acid as supplements.
Proposed mechanism Review
Reviews describe lab effects on immune cells, microbes and metals. None has been shown to carry over to people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Lack of evidence is not proof of safety. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use, especially if you take medicines or are pregnant.
COVID-19 deaths in one nursing home (humic/fulvic acid plus EGCG and vitamin C)
Not enough evidenceA single nursing home reported that none of 22 residents given a combination of humic/fulvic acid, EGCG (a tea compound) and vitamin C died, against 21 of 38 who were not given it. It cannot show that humic or fulvic acid helped.
1 studiesA combination of humic/fulvic acid, EGCG and vitamin C was used. Amou…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One retrospective chart review of 60 residents in one facility, October to December 2020.
Results
No deaths among 22 treated residents; 21 deaths among 38 not given the combination.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect size or confidence interval in the abstract.
Why this rating
Not randomized, one facility, a three-part combination, and an early pandemic period with very high mortality. The groups may have differed in ways that explain the gap.
Form and dose studied
A combination of humic/fulvic acid, EGCG and vitamin C was used. Amounts are not repeated here.
Who was studied
Nursing-home residents with COVID-19.
Limits
The review cannot separate the three ingredients, and the humic/fulvic product is not described in the abstract.
Why researchers looked
Early in the pandemic there was no approved treatment for nursing-home residents, and the facility used supplements it already had.
Traditional use
No traditional use applies.
Proposed mechanism Lab only
The author cites lab reports that the ingredients can interfere with the virus. We did not read those reports.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not use any supplement in place of medical care for an infection.
Binding metals and 'detox'
Very low certaintyFulvic and humic acids bind metals very well in water and soil, and sellers say this means they pull toxins out of the body. In mice, humic substances did not change how much cadmium the gut took up, though kidney cadmium was lower. Detox in people has not been shown, and the same products can carry metals.
4 studiesNo advice on amounts is given here. Products sold as fulvic or humic …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human study of metal removal was found. NCCIH says detox programs have few, low-quality studies and that there is no compelling research that detox diets eliminate toxins from the body.
Results
Mice given cadmium in water with humic substances: more than 90% of the cadmium was bound in water at higher concentrations, intestinal uptake was unchanged at 6 and 24 hours, and kidney cadmium was 23% and 46% lower at 6 and 24 hours in the highest group.
Effect sizes as reported
Percent differences are from one mouse experiment.
Why this rating
Animal and laboratory evidence only, one metal, no human outcome. A 2026 extraction review also describes metal-binding mainly in environmental settings.
Form and dose studied
No advice on amounts is given here. Products sold as fulvic or humic acid vary in source, extraction and metal content, and a label rarely says which.
Who was studied
Mice and water chemistry.
Limits
The mouse work used drinking-water concentrations of humic substances and a single cadmium dose. It does not tell us what a supplement does in a person, and unverified products can bring in metals (see Safety).
Why researchers looked
Fulvic acid's metal binding is a strong effect in the lab and in environmental clean-up, which is where the detox idea comes from.
Traditional use
Shilajit is traditionally used as a rejuvenator; a 2024 review says the data on its metal detoxification still need to be clarified.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Complexation: the acids hold metal ions in a bound form. This is a chemistry effect shown in water and in mice.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not use a supplement to try to treat metal poisoning. Poisoning needs a clinician or poison control.
Gut lining and gut microbes
Not enough evidenceIn mice, fulvic acid reduced gut injury caused by a chemotherapy drug, and two mined fulvic formulations raised microbial diversity in lab and animal tests. None of this has been tested in people.
2 studiesNo advice on amounts is given here. Products sold as fulvic or humic …
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Mice: better small-intestine tissue appearance after fulvic acid in 5-FU-injured mice. Cells and animals: higher microbial diversity and more Lactobacillus and Clostridia with two mined formulations.
Effect sizes as reported
No numbers beyond those stated in the abstracts.
Why this rating
Mouse, cell and microbe work only, on specific formulations, with no human outcome.
Form and dose studied
No advice on amounts is given here. Products sold as fulvic or humic acid vary in source, extraction and metal content, and a label rarely says which.
Who was studied
Mice, cell lines and microbes.
Limits
Preclinical only. One of the two papers calls its findings preclinical and says they need testing in larger animals and human cell systems.
Why researchers looked
Fulvic acid is described as a traditional mineral medicine used for stomach and gut conditions, so researchers have tested it on gut models.
Traditional use
A 2026 mouse paper describes fulvic acid as a mineral-based traditional Chinese medicine used for gastrointestinal disease. Tradition is not proof.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Mouse tissue and gene studies linked the effect to cytokine pathways. In lab tests two formulations lowered inflammatory signals (NF-kB, TNF, IL-6) in stimulated immune cells and favoured some beneficial bacteria.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not use it for gut disease or after chemotherapy without your cancer team's advice.
Wound healing (a sugar-derived fulvic acid, applied to the skin)
Not enough evidenceA fulvic acid made from sugar killed many germs in the lab and helped infected wounds heal faster in rats. It is a different material from mined fulvic acid and was applied to wounds, not swallowed.
2 studiesApplied to wounds in the studies; no amounts given here.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.5% or lower against 500 clinical microbe samples; faster healing in infected rat wounds compared with untreated wounds.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes in the abstract.
Why this rating
Laboratory and rat results for one product, no human data.
Form and dose studied
Applied to wounds in the studies; no amounts given here.
Who was studied
Rats and lab samples.
Limits
Applies only to this sugar-derived product, not to mined fulvic acid or humic supplements.
Why researchers looked
Researchers wanted a topical option for drug-resistant wound infections.
Traditional use
No traditional use applies to this laboratory product.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects (lowered interleukin 6 later in healing) in the rat model.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Open or infected wounds need medical care, not a home product.
Shilajit, a related humic-rich material (testosterone, bone, strength)
Low certaintyShilajit is more than 80% humic substances by weight, so it is the product most people mean when they take humic or fulvic 'supplements'. A few small human studies of shilajit exist, but shilajit is not pure fulvic acid and its metal content is a concern.
4 studiesNo advice on amounts is given here. Products sold as fulvic or humic …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Two randomized placebo-controlled trials (healthy men aged 45 to 55 for 90 days; 60 postmenopausal women with osteopenia for 48 weeks) and one 28-day open-label pilot in 25 healthy men.
Results
Testosterone, free testosterone and DHEAS were higher than with placebo (P < 0.05). Bone density fell less than on placebo in both shilajit groups (p < 0.001). The open-label pilot reported within-group gains in strength and lower fatigue scores and no serious adverse events.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes or intervals are repeated here.
Why this rating
Small trials of specific shilajit products, results not repeated by others in the sources we read, and one study had no placebo. We cannot extend them to fulvic or humic acid sold as such.
Form and dose studied
No advice on amounts is given here. Products sold as fulvic or humic acid vary in source, extraction and metal content, and a label rarely says which.
Who was studied
Healthy middle-aged men; postmenopausal women with osteopenia.
Limits
The abstracts do not state funding, and the products were specific brands or purified extracts.
Why researchers looked
Shilajit is sold as a rejuvenator and was tested for testosterone, bone loss and exercise recovery.
Traditional use
Shilajit has been used for a very long time in Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine according to the reviews we read. That is tradition, not proof.
Proposed mechanism Review
Not established. Composition is variable and not fully known.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Shilajit can carry heavy metals and has been linked to an allergy-type reaction in one case (see Safety).
Connections to the rest of health
How Fulvic Acid and Humic Acid connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digestive Support | Not enough evidence | Gut lining and gut microbes: In mice, fulvic acid reduced gut injury caused by a chemotherapy drug, and two mined fulvic formulations raised microbial diversity in lab and animal tests. None of this has been tested in people. | 17 16 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digestive System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Gut lining and gut microbes | 17 16 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulvic acid | Biological association | Laboratory | Described as the main active component of humic substances; binds metals; lab effects on immune cells and microbes. | 20 10 16 |
| Humic acid | Biological association | Laboratory | Part of shilajit and humate products; effects mostly studied in the lab and in animals. | 7 22 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 30, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what the research found for 6 outcomes
Each outcome below is one thing researchers measured. Certainty is how far the evidence can be trusted, not how well it works. The full studies are on the next tab.
The evidence
The research centre for Fulvic Acid and Humic Acid. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We searched PubMed, read the abstract of each cited paper, and read the NCCIH and Poison Control pages. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Regulators were not searched. No study is cited that we could not verify.
Study library: every study we checked 23
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldakheel 2022 Rapid determination and quantification of nutritional and poisonous metals in vastly consumed Ayurvedic herbal medicine (rejuvenator shilajit) by humans using three advanced analytical techniques Biological Trace Element Research · PMID 34800280 · DOI |
Laboratory analysis n/a |
Two kinds of shilajit sold globally, from India and Pakistan | Shilajit Not a plant Not repeated here |
The authors report that Indian and Pakistani shilajit contained Al, Sr, Mn, Ba, Zn, Ni, B, Cr, Pb, As and Hg in amounts that exceeded the standard permissible limit, with mercury found only in the Indian sample. Results by the laser method agreed with the standard ICP method. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Elements measured by LIBS, ICP and EDX Limitations: A small laboratory comparison of two product kinds; the abstract does not give sample numbers or limits used. Other analyses (2026, 12 samples) reported toxic metals below thresholds, so results differ between studies. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Clark 2026 Genotoxicity of carbohydrate derived fulvic acid Toxicology Reports · PMID 42383226 · DOI |
Laboratory research bacteria, human cells, mouse |
Bacteria, human lymphocytes and mice | Carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid (CHD-FA), made by oxidising sucrose Not mined; made from sugar Not repeated here · vs Controls |
No gene mutations in the bacterial test and no rise in micronuclei in the mouse test. A weak effect was seen in human lymphocytes, which the authors think may be due to the pH of the test solution. The authors say fulvic acids from the environment vary in composition and may contain impurities such as heavy metals, which is why this product was developed. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Gene-damage tests (Ames, micronucleus) Limitations: Tests of one patented product from a company, not people. Results do not apply to mined or other fulvic acids. Funding and conflicts: Two authors report employment and equity with Biophys Limited and one with Fulderm International Limited: industry-linked. Read: abstract |
| Cusack 2008 Effects of a dietary complex of humic and fulvic acids (FeedMAX 15) on the health and production of feedlot cattle destined for the Australian domestic market Australian Veterinary Journal · PMID 18271826 · DOI |
Animal research cattle |
1000 Feedlot cattle in eight pens of 125 animals |
Dietary humic and fulvic acid complex (FeedMAX 15) Not repeated here Feedlot feeding period · vs Same diet without the additive |
No difference in disease, deaths or most carcass measures. Treated cattle reached market weight and fat depth in fewer days (P = 0.0001) and had slightly higher average daily gain and lower feed conversion (both P = 0.05). Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Growth, feed conversion, disease and carcass traits Limitations: Cattle, not people. A branded feed product; the abstract gives no funding statement. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract; the product is named with its maker. Read: abstract |
| Dai 2020 A comprehensive toxicological assessment of fulvic acid Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · PMID 33381216 · DOI |
Animal research rat and mouse |
Rats and mice | Fulvic acid (a single test material) Not repeated here 60 days (repeated-dose study) · vs Control group |
No significant changes in bacterial mutation, chromosome and micronucleus tests. No deaths or toxic effects at the highest single dose tested (5,000 mg/kg body weight) and, in a 60-day rat study, no significant changes in weight, blood tests, organ weights or tissue examination at up to 5,000 mg/kg a day, which the authors set as the no-observed-adverse-effect level (the highest dose tested). Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Gene-damage tests, acute toxicity, 60-day oral toxicity Limitations: Animal study of one fulvic acid material. An animal dose does not give a safe human amount, and nothing here shows how a mined or commercial product with metals would behave. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract |
| Flohr 2014 The effects of sodium sulfate in the water of nursery pigs and the efficacy of nonnutritive feed additives to mitigate those effects Journal of Animal Science · PMID 24981569 · DOI |
Animal research pig |
350 Newly weaned pigs drinking water with or without added sodium sulfate (second experiment) |
Humic acid substance and humic and fulvic acid substance fed at 1% of the diet, compared with zeolite Not repeated here 21 days · vs Control diet |
The additives did not reduce the diarrhea caused by sodium sulfate in the water. Pigs fed the 1% humic acid substance grew less and used feed less efficiently when drinking sodium sulfate water, but grew more with control water. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Growth and fecal scores Limitations: Piglets, not people. Shows that the same humic product can help or hinder depending on conditions. Funding and conflicts: Non-US government research support listed in PubMed. Read: abstract |
| Hussain 2024 Hazardous or advantageous: uncovering the roles of heavy metals and humic substances in shilajit (phyto-mineral) with emphasis on heavy metals toxicity and their detoxification mechanisms Biological Trace Element Research · PMID 38393486 · DOI |
Narrative review n/a |
Literature review of metals and humic substances in shilajit | Shilajit Not a plant Not repeated here |
Reports shilajit contains around 65 heavy metals including toxic Cu, Al, Pb, As, Cd and Hg, and says humic substances in shilajit detoxify around 12 heavy metals. Reported metal levels were mostly below the WHO and FDA limits the authors list, except in a few studies where levels were exceeded. The authors say shilajit use without knowing metal levels is not safe and that the data on metal detoxification still needs to be clarified. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Metal profile, toxicity and humic-substance detox claims Limitations: Literature review. Does not give human outcomes. The detox statements are about metals in lab and materials work, not proven in people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Kamgar 2025 A comprehensive review on shilajit: what we know about its chemical composition Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry · PMID 38133965 · DOI |
Narrative review n/a |
Review of the chemistry of shilajit | Shilajit, a black natural exudate Not a plant Not repeated here |
Says shilajit's chemical composition is not known with certainty, its source is debated, and compositions differ between regions. Reports that more than 80% of its weight is mainly humic substances and almost 20% calcium, potassium and magnesium, plus amino acids, fatty acids, caffeic and gallic acid, and metals including chromium, selenium and cobalt. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Chemical composition of shilajit Limitations: Narrative review of composition only. No human outcome data. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Kamgar 2025 Quantifying of thallium in shilajit and its supplements to unveil the potential risk of consumption of this popular traditional medicine BMC Chemistry · PMID 39827344 · DOI |
Laboratory analysis n/a |
Natural shilajit and shilajit-based commercial supplements from various regions | Shilajit and shilajit supplements Not a plant Not repeated here |
Thallium was found up to 0.226 micrograms per gram in natural shilajit (mainly a few tenths) and up to 0.5 micrograms per gram in the supplements tested. One supplement pill supplied up to 0.095 micrograms of thallium. Some supplements held more thallium than crude shilajit. The authors call for regular testing and limits. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Thallium content Limitations: Chemical analysis of products, not a study of people. The abstract does not say how many products were tested or name brands. Shilajit is humic-rich but is not pure fulvic or humic acid. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Kamgar 2026 Characterization of metal composition and molecular weight distribution in shilajit Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology · PMID 42364294 · DOI |
Laboratory analysis n/a |
12 Twelve shilajit samples from different places |
Shilajit samples Not a plant Not repeated here |
Calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, toxic elements (cobalt, nickel, lead, cadmium, mercury) and rare earth elements varied between samples. The authors report toxic metals below established toxicity thresholds. Most metals were bound in small complexes, which matched the size range of humic acid-metal complexes. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Metals and their molecular size Limitations: Twelve samples only; chemistry, not human outcomes. Shilajit is not the same as isolated fulvic acid. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Li 2026 Evaluation of the mutagenic and genotoxic potential of Wujin: a traditional mineral medicine Journal of Ethnopharmacology · PMID 41985640 · DOI |
Laboratory research bacteria, hamster cells, mouse |
Five batches of Wujin tested in bacteria, hamster lung cells and mice | Wujin, a mineral-derived Chinese medicine containing humic and fulvic acids Mineral material Not repeated here · vs Controls |
Across five batches the average fulvic acid content was 0.21 mg/g and average lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury and copper were 20.4, 0.48, 0.32, 0.052 and 37.8 mg/kg. The Ames, chromosome and mouse micronucleus tests showed no gene damage (mouse doses up to 1500 mg/kg). The authors say safety had not been systematically evaluated before. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Gene-damage tests and metal content Limitations: Lab and mouse tests only; no human data. The abstract does not compare the metal values with any limits, and gene-damage tests do not cover other harms. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Lind 1999 The influence of humic substances on the absorption and distribution of cadmium in mice Pharmacology and Toxicology · PMID 10401728 · DOI |
Animal research mouse |
Mice given a single oral dose of cadmium with or without humic substances in water | Humic substances (dissolved in water) Not repeated here 6 and 24 hours · vs Cadmium alone |
In water, humic substances bound more than 90% of the cadmium at higher concentrations. This did not change gut uptake of cadmium at 6 or 24 hours. Kidney cadmium was 23% and 46% lower at 6 and 24 hours in the highest humic group, which the authors take to mean humic substances can change how cadmium is handled after absorption. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cadmium binding, gut uptake and kidney retention Limitations: One metal, one dose, mice, drinking-water concentrations. It does not show a detox effect in people. Funding and conflicts: Non-US government research support listed in PubMed. Read: abstract |
| Losa 2019 Exercise-induced anaphylaxis with an Ayurvedic drug as cofactor: a case report World Journal of Clinical Cases · PMID 30863761 · DOI |
Case report |
1 A 43-year-old woman who developed hives after eating rice, tuna and shilajit, then collapsed after sexual activity |
Shilajit Not a plant Not repeated here |
Hives, then trouble breathing, low blood pressure and loss of consciousness. Allergy skin and patch tests with shilajit were negative and a swallow challenge was refused. The authors concluded exercise-induced anaphylaxis, possibly with a mast-cell condition, and that shilajit may act as a cofactor. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Reaction and allergy tests Limitations: A single case; shilajit was one of several things eaten, and a link was not proven. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| NCCIH 2026 NCCIH: Detoxes and cleanses: what you need to know (read 2026-10-30) n/a · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Says only a small number of detox studies in people exist, that they were low quality, and that a 2015 review found no compelling research that detox diets eliminate toxins from the body. Says some detox programs can be unsafe and falsely advertised, and that the FDA and FTC have acted against companies selling detox products that had hidden ingredients or false claims. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Evidence on detox programs Limitations: General guidance about detox programs, not about humic or fulvic acid specifically. The page is undated. Read: full-text |
| Pandit 2016 Clinical evaluation of purified shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers Andrologia · PMID 26395129 · DOI |
Randomized controlled trial |
Healthy men aged 45 to 55 | Purified shilajit Not a plant Not repeated here 90 days · vs Placebo |
Total testosterone, free testosterone and DHEAS were significantly higher than with placebo (P < 0.05); LH and FSH were maintained. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Total and free testosterone, DHEAS, LH, FSH Limitations: Number of participants is not given in the abstract. Shilajit is humic-rich but is not isolated fulvic acid. Funding not stated in the abstract; the trial was not repeated in the sources we read. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Pingali 2022 Shilajit extract reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss to dose-dependently preserve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Phytomedicine · PMID 35933897 · DOI |
Randomized controlled trial |
60 Postmenopausal women aged 45 to 65 with osteopenia |
Standardized aqueous shilajit extract at two strengths Not a plant Not repeated here 48 weeks · vs Placebo |
Bone density fell on placebo and the fall was smaller in both shilajit groups at 24 and 48 weeks (p < 0.001), with changes in bone-turnover, oxidative-stress and inflammation markers. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, oxidative stress, hsCRP Limitations: One trial of 60 women with one proprietary extract. The abstract does not state funding. Not fulvic acid on its own. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Szwed-Georgiou 2026 Integrated safety and microbiota profiling of fulvic acid formulations across in vitro and in vivo models Scientific Reports · PMID 41580488 · DOI |
Laboratory research cell lines, microbes and animals |
Cell lines, microbes and animals | Two fossil-based fulvic acid formulations (MLG-50 and alkaline MLG-A50) Mined (fossil-based) material Not repeated here · vs Controls |
Both formulations were well tolerated by fibroblast, gut-lining and liver cells, with less gene damage than reference dietary compounds. In stimulated immune cells they suppressed NF-kB activation and lowered TNF and IL-6. In lab and animal tests they raised microbial diversity and the share of Lactobacillus and Clostridia and slowed some pathogens. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cell tolerance, gene damage, inflammation signals, gut microbes Limitations: Cells, microbes and animals only. The abstract does not name the animal species or give numbers. Two specific formulations. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Wang 2026 Protection of fulvic acid against 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal injury in mice Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology · PMID 42565411 · DOI |
Animal research mouse |
Mice with intestinal injury caused by the chemotherapy drug 5-FU | Fulvic acid (described as a mineral-based traditional Chinese medicine) Mineral material Not repeated here · vs Model group, omeprazole group and loperamide group |
Fulvic acid groups had improved intestinal tissue appearance compared with the model group, and 69 genes differed, mostly in cytokine pathways. A single 5 g/kg dose caused no acute toxicity in mice. The authors say the findings are preclinical. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Small-intestine tissue and gene activity Limitations: Mouse study; no human data. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Williams 2025 COVID-19 humic/fulvic acid plus epigallocatechin gallate treatment: a retrospective chart review Cureus · PMID 39925527 · DOI |
Observational |
60 Residents of one nursing home with COVID-19, October to December 2020 |
Humic/fulvic acid combined with EGCG and vitamin C Not repeated here · vs Patients given care without this combination |
Among 22 patients given the combination, none died. Among 38 not given it, 21 died. The author concludes it reduced mortality. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Deaths Limitations: Retrospective chart review in one facility, not randomised, so the groups may have differed in many ways. The combination means no benefit can be credited to humic or fulvic acid. Dose and form of the humic/fulvic product are not given in the abstract. It was a very early period of the pandemic. Funding and conflicts: No funder is named in the abstract. The treatment was chosen by the facility itself. Read: abstract |
| Yadav 2026 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 · PMID 41613504 · DOI |
Observational |
25 Healthy men aged 21 to 55 |
A branded shilajit resin Not a plant Not repeated here 28 days |
Within-group changes were reported in leg-press strength (+12.94%), endurance, fatigue score and CRP. No serious adverse events were reported and safety labs stayed in the normal range. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Strength, endurance, fatigue, blood markers and safety labs Limitations: Open-label, single group, no placebo, 25 men for 4 weeks. Brand-specific product; funding is not in the abstract. Not fulvic acid on its own. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Yousaf 2026 Advances in fulvic acid extraction from lignite: techniques, challenges, and applications Environmental Monitoring and Assessment · PMID 41860641 · DOI |
Narrative review n/a |
Review of how fulvic acid is extracted and used | Fulvic acid from low-rank coal (lignite), peat and soil Humic material, not a plant Not repeated here |
Says fulvic acid is the main active component of humic substances, forms as organic matter breaks down, and can come from low-rank coal, peat and soil. Says quality depends on the extraction method and that variability from raw materials and extraction needs more research. Describes metal-binding in environmental settings and immunomodulatory effects in human health without giving human trial data in the abstract. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Extraction methods, quality, uses Limitations: A narrative review of chemistry and industry. The abstract gives no human trial results. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Zhao 2015 Carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid is a highly promising topical agent to enhance healing of wounds infected with drug-resistant pathogens Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery · PMID 26406424 · DOI |
Animal research rat and lab |
500 clinical microbe samples in the lab and infected wounds in rats | Carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid (CHD-FA), applied to the wound Not mined; made from sugar Not repeated here · vs Infected untreated wounds |
Active against many bacteria and fungi in the lab (minimum inhibitory concentrations 0.5% or lower). Infected rat wounds treated with CHD-FA healed faster than untreated ones. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Microbe growth in the lab, wound healing in rats Limitations: Lab and rat work on one sugar-derived product, not people. A supplement taken by mouth is a different thing. Funding and conflicts: US government research support listed in PubMed. The abstract says the aim was to establish this product as safe and effective, so the work was product-focused. Read: abstract |
| Zykova 2025 Pharmacological effects of humic substances and their signaling mechanisms Molecules · PMID 41515410 · DOI |
Narrative review mixed |
Review of humic substances research | Humic substances in general Not repeated here |
Lists many reported activities (immune, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant, liver-protective and others) and says humic substances lack toxic and allergenic properties. The abstract does not separate human findings from laboratory and animal ones. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Reported biological activities and safety Limitations: A broad review whose abstract gives no numbers, so we do not rely on it for human benefit or for the claim of no allergy. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract |
| n/a 2026 Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center): home page, read 2026-10-30 n/a · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Says help is free, expert and confidential online and by phone at 1-800-222-1222 (US), and to call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: What to do after a poisoning Limitations: Service information, not research. US numbers only. Read: full-text |
What we do not know yet
- No randomized trial of fulvic or humic acid in people.
- No independent test of metals in fulvic acid supplements sold as such.
- No data on pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, kidney or liver disease or medicine interactions.
- Regulators were not searched for humic or fulvic acid.
- The sources do not compare mined, peat, shilajit and sugar-derived materials in people.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any evidence rating or safety wording.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 4
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Side effects 4
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy-metal exposure from contaminated products These are shilajit analyses, not tests of isolated fulvic acid. They show why source and testing matter. | No rate in people. Product testing varies: one 2022 analysis reported lead, arsenic, mercury, chromium, nickel and other elements above permissible limits in two kinds of shilajit; a 2026 analysis of 12 shilajit samples reported toxic metals below thresholds; a 2024 review said most reported levels were under WHO and FDA limits except in a few studies. | potentially serious with long-term exposure Depends on the metal | Laboratory analysis 1 9 6 |
| Thallium in shilajit supplements The authors call for regular monitoring because of possible long-term risk. No poisoning case was reported in the abstract. | Up to 0.5 micrograms per gram in supplements tested, up to 0.095 micrograms per pill; some supplements held more than crude shilajit. | unknown at these amounts; thallium is known to be toxic Not stated | Laboratory analysis 8 |
| Allergic-type reaction (one case; shilajit) A woman collapsed after exercise-linked activity; shilajit was one of several foods and a cofactor role was suggested, not proven. Skin tests with shilajit were negative. | One case report | serious (anaphylaxis) Treated in hospital | Case report 12 |
| Adverse effects in people taking fulvic or humic acid supplements The only human safety report we read is a 28-day open-label pilot of a branded shilajit resin in 25 men, which reported no serious adverse events. That does not describe fulvic acid products. | No data found | unknown Unknown | None found 19 |
Liver
No report of liver injury from fulvic or humic acid supplements was found in the sources read. LiverTox was not searched. Cell and animal work did not show liver harm at the amounts tested, but that is not evidence in people. 4 16
How often. No rate in people.
Monitoring. No monitoring advice was found.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Fulvic Acid and Humic Acid supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 2
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines taken by mouth, and mineral supplements (in general) prescription and over-the-counter | Fulvic and humic acids bind metals strongly in water, so in theory they could hold on to some minerals or medicines in the gut. In mice, humic substances did not change gut uptake of cadmium, so the theory is untested for medicines. | No interaction study with a medicine was found. | Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence 11 | Ask a pharmacist before taking any humic or fulvic product if you take medicines. |
| Chemotherapy and cancer treatment prescription | Fulvic acid altered inflammation genes in mice given the chemotherapy drug 5-FU, so an effect on treatment cannot be excluded. | No human data. Mouse injury model only. | Animal research Not enough evidence 17 | Tell your cancer team before taking any supplement. |
Who should check first 3
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | No human data were found in the sources read. Not knowing is not the same as safe. Ask your doctor or midwife. | None found |
| Children | No data were found. Do not give humic or fulvic products to a child without a doctor's advice. | None found |
| People with a history of anaphylaxis, mast-cell conditions, kidney disease or heart disease, or about to have surgery | The anaphylaxis case involved shilajit in a woman with a possible mast-cell condition. For kidney, heart and surgery no data were found. Ask a doctor first. | Case report 12 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. A mined or commercial product is more than fulvic acid: it can carry metals, and the amount of each varies. The animal findings below were for one fulvic acid material.
Animal. One fulvic acid material gave no deaths or toxic effect at the highest single dose tested (5,000 mg/kg) in rats and mice, and no significant changes in a 60-day rat study up to the same amount, the highest tested. A separate mouse study found no acute toxicity at 5 g/kg.
Human doses studied. No safety trial of fulvic or humic acid in people was found. A 28-day open-label shilajit pilot in 25 men reported no serious adverse events.
Overdose response. If someone has swallowed a lot of a product or feels unwell, call poison control (US 1-800-222-1222) or a local emergency number.
Genotoxicity. A fulvic acid material and a sugar-derived one showed no gene damage in standard bacterial and mouse tests; the sugar-derived one had a weak effect in human lymphocytes, possibly from the pH of the test solution. The Wujin mineral medicine showed no gene damage in three tests.
Humic substances come from decayed plant matter in coal, peat or soil, and quality depends on where they come from and how they are extracted. A label cannot tell you the metal content.
Variable composition. A 2026 review says the quality of fulvic acid depends on the extraction method and that raw materials and methods make it variable. 20
Metals in environmental fulvic acids. Authors of a 2026 safety paper say environmental fulvic acids vary substantially and may contain impurities such as heavy metals. Their sugar-derived product was made partly to avoid this. 2
Metals in Wujin. Across five batches of Wujin the average lead was 20.4 mg/kg, cadmium 0.48, arsenic 0.32, mercury 0.052 and copper 37.8 mg/kg. The abstract does not compare these to limits. 10
Metals and thallium in shilajit. A 2024 review lists around 65 metals in shilajit, including toxic ones, with levels mostly under WHO and FDA limits except in a few studies. A 2022 analysis reported several elements above limits; a 2026 analysis of 12 samples reported toxic metals below thresholds; thallium was found in supplements up to 0.5 micrograms per gram. 6 1 9 8
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health) (United States) | Says there are few studies of detox programs in people, they were low quality, and a 2015 review found no compelling research that detox diets eliminate toxins from the body. Says some detox products have been unsafe or falsely advertised. source |
When to get medical help
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between fulvic acid and humic acid?
Both are parts of humic substances, which form as organic matter breaks down. Fulvic acid is described as the main active component. Their makeup varies with the source.
Is fulvic acid proven to help people?
Is fulvic acid safe?
Can fulvic or humic acid contain heavy metals?
Is shilajit the same as fulvic acid?
No. Shilajit is a natural material reported to be more than 80% humic substances by weight, which include fulvic acid, but it also has minerals and metals.
Does fulvic acid remove heavy metals from the body?
Is there thallium in shilajit supplements?
A 2025 study found thallium in shilajit and in shilajit supplements, up to 0.5 micrograms per gram, and in some supplements more than in crude shilajit. The authors call for regular testing.
Can it cause an allergic reaction?
One case report describes anaphylaxis after shilajit and other foods in a woman with a possible mast-cell condition. Skin tests with shilajit were negative and a link was not proven. Get emergency help for swelling or trouble breathing.
Is it safe in pregnancy, breastfeeding or for children?
No data were found. Lack of evidence is not proof of safety. Ask a doctor or midwife.
Can it interact with medicines?
No interaction study was found. Humic substances bind metals, so a theoretical effect on minerals or medicines in the gut cannot be ruled out. Ask a pharmacist.
Does fulvic acid heal the gut or help the microbiome?
Explore by health goal
Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-30
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-30
- How we research
- We searched PubMed, read the abstract of each cited paper, and read the NCCIH and Poison Control pages. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Regulators were not searched. No study is cited that we could not verify.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.
Sources 23
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Aldakheel RK, Gondal MA, Alsayed HN, Almessiere MA, Nasr MM, Shemsi AM. Rapid determination and quantification of nutritional and poisonous metals in vastly consumed Ayurvedic herbal medicine (rejuvenator shilajit) by humans using three advanced analytical techniques. Biological Trace Element Research. 2022. PMID 34800280. DOI 10.1007/s12011-021-03014-4. (abstract)
- Clark SJ, Graz M. Genotoxicity of carbohydrate derived fulvic acid. Toxicology Reports. 2026. PMID 42383226. DOI 10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102298. (abstract)
- Cusack PM. Effects of a dietary complex of humic and fulvic acids (FeedMAX 15) on the health and production of feedlot cattle destined for the Australian domestic market. Australian Veterinary Journal. 2008. PMID 18271826. DOI 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2007.00242.x. (abstract)
- Dai C, Xiao X, Yuan Y, Sharma G, Tang S. A comprehensive toxicological assessment of fulvic acid. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2020. PMID 33381216. DOI 10.1155/2020/8899244. (abstract)
- Flohr JR, Tokach MD, Dritz SS, DeRouchey JM, Goodband RD, Nelssen JL. The effects of sodium sulfate in the water of nursery pigs and the efficacy of nonnutritive feed additives to mitigate those effects. Journal of Animal Science. 2014. PMID 24981569. DOI 10.2527/jas.2013-7436. (abstract)
- Hussain A, Saeed A. Hazardous or advantageous: uncovering the roles of heavy metals and humic substances in shilajit (phyto-mineral) with emphasis on heavy metals toxicity and their detoxification mechanisms. Biological Trace Element Research. 2024. PMID 38393486. DOI 10.1007/s12011-024-04109-4. (abstract)
- Kamgar E, Kaykhaii M, Zembrzuska J. A comprehensive review on shilajit: what we know about its chemical composition. Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry. 2025. PMID 38133965. DOI 10.1080/10408347.2023.2293963. (abstract)
- Kamgar E, Zembrzuska J, Zembrzuski W, Kaykhaii M. Quantifying of thallium in shilajit and its supplements to unveil the potential risk of consumption of this popular traditional medicine. BMC Chemistry. 2025. PMID 39827344. DOI 10.1186/s13065-025-01384-7. (abstract)
- Kamgar E, Angaits A, Zembrzuska J, Kaykhaii M, Szpunar J. Characterization of metal composition and molecular weight distribution in shilajit. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology. 2026. PMID 42364294. DOI 10.1016/j.jtemb.2026.127913. (abstract)
- Li Q, Li J, Zhang Y, Jiang A, Tang S, Xu Z, Cai Q, Ji L, Fei X, Wang L, Dong J. Evaluation of the mutagenic and genotoxic potential of Wujin: a traditional mineral medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2026. PMID 41985640. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2026.121681. (abstract)
- Lind Y, Glynn AW. The influence of humic substances on the absorption and distribution of cadmium in mice. Pharmacology and Toxicology. 1999. PMID 10401728. DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0773.1999.tb01493.x. (abstract)
- Losa F, Deidda M, Firinu D, Di Martino ML, Barca MP, Del Giacco S. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis with an Ayurvedic drug as cofactor: a case report. World Journal of Clinical Cases. 2019. PMID 30863761. DOI 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i5.623. (abstract)
- NCCIH, US National Institutes of Health. NCCIH: Detoxes and cleanses: what you need to know (read 2026-10-30). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- Pandit S, Biswas S, Jana U, De RK, Mukhopadhyay SC, Biswas TK. Clinical evaluation of purified shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia. 2016. PMID 26395129. DOI 10.1111/and.12482. (abstract)
- Pingali U, Nutalapati C. Shilajit extract reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss to dose-dependently preserve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2022. PMID 35933897. DOI 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154334. (abstract)
- Szwed-Georgiou A, Plocinski P, Wlodarczyk M, Tomaszewska A, Okla E, Zadylak J, Koeman J, Krupa A, Williams MK, Rudnicka K. Integrated safety and microbiota profiling of fulvic acid formulations across in vitro and in vivo models. Scientific Reports. 2026. PMID 41580488. DOI 10.1038/s41598-026-37331-2. (abstract)
- Wang L, Dai W, Yuan C, Qin Y, Chen Y, Chen J, Zhang M. Protection of fulvic acid against 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal injury in mice. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2026. PMID 42565411. DOI 10.2174/0113892010473841260716112008. (abstract)
- Williams R. COVID-19 humic/fulvic acid plus epigallocatechin gallate treatment: a retrospective chart review. Cureus. 2025. PMID 39925527. DOI 10.7759/cureus.77188. (abstract)
- Yadav D, Mishra S, Shah KM, Reddy ST, Gupta R, Pandey P. 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. PMID 41613504. DOI 10.7759/cureus.102372. (abstract)
- Yousaf I, Gao L, Riaz I, Pervaiz S, Usman M. Advances in fulvic acid extraction from lignite: techniques, challenges, and applications. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 2026. PMID 41860641. DOI 10.1007/s10661-026-15146-y. (abstract)
- Zhao Y, Paderu P, Delmas G, Dolgov E, Lee MH, Senter M, Park S, Leivers S, Perlin DS. Carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid is a highly promising topical agent to enhance healing of wounds infected with drug-resistant pathogens. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 2015. PMID 26406424. DOI 10.1097/TA.0000000000000737. (abstract)
- Zykova MV, Trofimova ES, Azarkina LA, Lasukova TV, Mihalyov DA, Drygunova LA, Danilets MG, Ligacheva AA, Tsupko AV, Bashirov SR, Belousov MV. Pharmacological effects of humic substances and their signaling mechanisms. Molecules. 2025. PMID 41515410. DOI 10.3390/molecules31010114. (abstract)
- n/a. Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center): home page, read 2026-10-30. n/a. 2026. (full-text)
