Risking Death in the Name of 'Natural Viagra' | Risky Business | Insider News

Narrator: This man is hunting for an aphrodisiac that some people have called a natural Viagra. It only forms at high altitudes, like here in the Himalayas. One misstep, and the drop is 15,000 feet.

People across South Asia have taken shilajit for centuries to improve libido and to treat infertility. Narrator: Now, people are paying hundreds of dollars to get their hands on it. But while it's soaring in popularity around the world, so are the fakes.

So is shilajit really a miracle product? And is the risk of finding it worth the hype? The valley of Paddar is one of the most remote regions in Jammu and Kashmir.

And Manohar Lal is the only one in his small village who dares to harvest shilajit. Today, he's heading out with his son, Laxmi, and their friend, Aditya. The journey to the Pir Panjal Range in the Lower Himalayas will take them about two to three days.

Narrator: They're going to climb up 12,000 feet. That's the height at which shilajit forms in the Himalayas. It's also found in Russia, Tibet, and even the north of Chile.

After 10 hours of hiking, the men spot some deposits. But they're sitting on a steep rock wall, and the only way of getting there is climbing. Narrator: Now, Manohar is on his own.

He uses nothing but his own body for support. It's mind over matter, walking on the edge at 12,000 feet. Narrator: Finally, he reaches the black shilajit rocks.

It's hard like cement, so he needs a chisel to break it off. They're found in the cracks and crevices of mountains, where rain and snow can't get in. Narrator: It forms when microorganisms decompose certain plants over centuries.

What's left behind is shilajit. Narrator: Manohar usually extracts it in spring and then again in fall, before the snow can get to it. Narrator: After collecting about 500 grams, they call it a day and set up a camp to stay overnight.

Narrator: Shilajit has its its roots in Ayurvedic medicine, which originated in India over 3,000 years ago. It's a traditional healing system that uses natural products. And ancient Hindu texts talk about shilajit's healing powers.

But shilajit can't be eaten in its raw form, so Manohar first cooks the rocks. They dissolve in boiling water. He filters out sand and other impurities.

Narrator: Here in Kashmir, they have a unique recipe for it. Narrator: The remaining mixture gets sticky as it hardens, forming an edible shilajit paste. Research in shilajit is limited, but Ayurvedic experts say that it is rich in metallic compounds, minerals, and nutrients.

And it's especially effective for treating infertility. They did find that the sperm count increased. They also saw an increase in testosterone levels, as well as things like energy, muscle growth, not just in men, but also in women.

Narrator: It also contains fulvic acid, which is said to boost immunity and reduce inflammation. And some studies show that shilajit could help treat cognitive disorders. Vrinda: With Alzheimer's, it's been shown to decrease the accumulation of the tau protein.

And the tau protein is the protein that accumulates increased plaques in the brain and leads to Alzheimer's. Narrator: Like most dietary supplements, shilajit is not regulated by the FDA. And there are tons of fake products on the market.

So Aditya Sumbria ensures that his products are the real thing by going along with Manohar on the hunt. Narrator: The fakes usually come in powder form and may be adulterated with coal and fertilizers. Others contain a mineral wax called ozokerite, which looks like shilajit but has no medicinal value.

The most potent kind of shilajit is said to contain traces of gold, but it's very rare and expensive, selling for about $60 for just 2. 5 teaspoons. The overall market for infertility supplements like shilajit is also booming.

It's expected to reach $3 million by 2030. Still, some places, like Whole Foods, have banned shilajit altogether. Vrinda: It's from the earth.

The risk of it having the heavy metals or the mycotoxins may be greater than other herbs. And perhaps there were some adverse effects when they weren't purified properly. Narrator: That's why experts say it's best to check the product's authenticity by asking for a certificate of analysis.

And usually this document is a simple document. It's just what they've done to make sure that what you are purchasing is what it is, in fact. And the second piece of it is also just looking at, what testing have they done?

Narrator: Manohar's wife fears for him every time he goes on these hikes. Narrator: Farming is impossible during the harsh winters, so the extra income from shilajit really helps them get by. Narrator: Shilajit is part of the family's daily diet, too.

Manohar boils milk and adds it in. Narrator: For him, using shilajit is a tradition that goes back generations. Narrator: Now, he's happy to say he's continuing that legacy.