PlainPill

Ginseng vs Shilajit for energy

Short answer: For energy, users rate them about the same: 90% report improvement with Ginseng (68 reports) and 94% with Shilajit (67 reports).

Ginseng has 215 meta-analyses and 243 randomized trials on PubMed; Shilajit has 1 and 7.

Based on 299 reports about Ginseng and 427 about Shilajit. Not medical advice.

Ginseng
Supplement
Shilajit
Supplement
Users say it helped63%helped114 reports · high confidence61%helped154 reports · high confidence
Verdict
Mostly positive
Mostly positive
ResearchAResearch: StrongBResearch: Moderate
Meta-analyses / RCTs215 / 2431 / 7
Mainly used for
Energy
% reporting improvement
90% (68)94% (67)
Libido
% reporting improvement
90% (20)87% (45)
Mood
% reporting improvement
67% (15)93% (28)
Hormones
% reporting improvement
50% (2)89% (38)
Focus
% reporting improvement
89% (18)93% (15)
Common side effectsinsomnia, headache, drowsiness, psychosisirritability, anxiety, drowsiness, insomnia
Typical dose reported200 mg / with breakfast400-600 mg / daily with food
Ginseng
Latest review conclusion

But in the future, more high-quality studies are needed to determine the effects of ginseng on cognitive function. Trial Registration: Prospero: CRD42024514231.

Phytother Res, 2024 ↗
What a user said
“After taking it for a few days, I noticed a few effects I didn't read about beforehand: I became incredibly horny and was getting rock hard boners all day.”
Full Ginseng profile →
Shilajit
Latest review conclusion

The exceptions were β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate and betaine, which can be considered effective for male athletes. Eurycoma longifolia, a blend of Punica granatum fruit rind and Theobroma cacao seed extracts (Tesnor™) and purified Shilajit extract (PrimaVie™) can be considered possibly effective for men with late-onset hypogonadism; Eurycoma longifolia and Withania somnifera possibly effective for healthy men; and a non-hormonal aromatase inhibitor (Novadex XT™) possibly effective for male athletes.

Int J Impot Res, 2024 ↗
What a user said
“Shilajit actually did wonders for me, I'm chronically ill so energy levels and mental clarity were in the dumps and it's the first thing I've tried that boosts a noticeable amount.”
Full Shilajit profile →

Related comparisons

Percentages come from first-hand user reports and are not clinical outcomes. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. How we rate