Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c11.s18.1

v1.c11.s18.1

A black coal-like substance found at Mohenjo-Daro has been identified as śilājit or *śilājatu*, an ancient Indian medicine. It is not an ink; from the ancient time even up to the present-day this has been used in India as a cure for various ills. It is said to be a specific medicine for dyspepsia, diabetes, disease of liver and spleen, to regulate the action of the heart and as a good respiratory stimulant and expectorant.