In the Pakistani supplement market, Lab Tested has become a buzzword. You see it on Instagram ads, Daraz listings, and colorful packaging. But for most buyers in Karachi, Lahore, or Islamabad, the term is vague. Usually, when a brand in Pakistan claims to be verified, they are referring to the PCSIR Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research.
But what does a PCSIR report actually look like? Does it guarantee that the Shilajit will give you energy, or does it simply mean it is not poisonous?
If you are a serious buyer, you need to look past the stamp and understand the data. Here is a deep dive into what PCSIR testing actually reveals about the Salajeet you are buying.
1. The Heavy Metal Screening The Safety Guard
Shilajit is a herbo-mineral exudate. Because it seeps out of mountain rocks over centuries, it naturally absorbs whatever is in those rocks. Unfortunately, that often includes heavy metals like Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, and Cadmium.
What PCSIR Tests For
When a sample is sent to PCSIR Labs in Lahore, Karachi, or Islamabad, they use advanced techniques like Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry AAS to measure these metals in parts per million ppm.
- Lead Pb: High levels can lead to kidney damage and neurological issues.
- Arsenic As: A known toxin that can cause skin lesions and long-term health risks.
- Mercury Hg: Extremely dangerous for the nervous system even in small amounts.
The Revelation: A Passed report does not mean there are zero metals. It means they are below the safety thresholds set by the WHO World Health Organization. If a seller refuses to show you the actual ppm numbers on their report, that is a major red flag.
2. Purity vs. Potency The Solubility Check
One of the most common ways to fake Salajeet in Pakistan is by mixing it with coal tar, gums, or fillers. PCSIR testing can expose these through physico-chemical analysis.
Solubility in Water
Pure Shilajit is 100 percent water-soluble. A lab report will often detail the total soluble solids. If a report shows a high percentage of insoluble residue, it means the product contains sand, stone dust, or non-organic fillers that your body cannot process.
pH Value
Authentic Himalayan Shilajit is usually slightly acidic, with a pH typically ranging between 5.5 and 6.5. If the PCSIR report shows a pH that is too high alkaline or too low, it suggests the product has been chemically altered or mixed with synthetic substances.
3. The Microbiology Profile Is it Clean
Raw Shilajit is harvested from caves where birds, bats, and mountain animals live. This means raw, unpurified Salajeet is often contaminated with bacteria, fungi, and Aflatoxins harmful toxins produced by molds.
What the Report Reveals
PCSIR tests for the Total Microbial Count. A clean report ensures that the brand’s purification process was successful in killing:
- E. coli: Which causes severe stomach issues.
- Salmonella: A common cause of food poisoning.
- Yeast and Mold: Which can trigger allergies and respiratory problems.
If you are buying Raw Salajeet from a local pansaar without this report, you are essentially gambling with a stomach infection.
4. What PCSIR Does Not Always Tell You
It is important to manage your expectations. While a PCSIR report is excellent for safety, it does not always measure potency.
Fulvic Acid Percentage
Many standard local tests focus on purity what is not in the jar rather than active ingredients the percentage of Fulvic Acid. For that, you often need specialized high-end testing like HPLC High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.
The Aftabi Method
A lab report cannot tell you if the Shilajit was sun-dried Aftabi or fire-boiled. It can only tell you if the final result is safe to consume. This is why you must still trust the brand’s sourcing and process.
5. How to Read a Brand's Lab Claims
When a brand like Chitral House or others claim they are lab-tested, you should look for three things:
- The Date: Is the report recent, or is it several years old?
- The Laboratory Name: It should be a recognized government body like PCSIR or an ISO-certified private lab.
- The Sample Name: Make sure the report specifically names the product you are buying, not a generic herbal sample.
Conclusion: Science is the Ultimate Filter
In a market where everyone claims to have 100 percent Original Salajeet, lab reports are the only thing that separates the healers from the scammers. A PCSIR report is your guarantee that the product you are putting into your body is free from mountain contaminants, heavy metal toxins, and dangerous bacteria.
At Chitral House, we do not just ask for your trust. We earn it. Our Aftabi Shilajit is rigorously tested to meet safety standards, ensuring you get the mineral power of the Himalayas without the risks of the bazaar.
View our latest purity reports and order your jar today.