Mumio - Is It a Wondrous Substance or an Ordinary Remedy?

Mumio is a substance that presents as a rock exudate, typically colored brown or grayish-brown. Translated loosely, 'mumio' signifies 'cleansing' or 'body maintenance', but it is often referred to by various other names such as rock juice, mountain blood, or rock tear. However, the origin of this exudate remains unclear, giving rise to numerous hypotheses. The initial investigations on mumio were conducted in the erstwhile Soviet Union, and since 1961, it has been authorized for sale as a dietary supplement for those with bone system issues. Nevertheless, the history of this remedy dates back to traditional natural medicine. Mumio is composed of a multitude of organic and inorganic compounds, all of which display excellent solubility in an aqueous environment. The ratios of these constituents are heavily dependent on the source of the mumio. It is believed that the most valuable rock juice originates from the regions of Altai, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Siberia. What bioactive substances can be found in this rock tear? There are numerous ones, including rare elements like cesium, chromium, rubidium, and strontium, as well as multiple macro- and microelements such as zinc, phosphorus, cobalt, potassium, calcium, and iron. Additionally, mumio contains amino acids, phospholipids, essential oils, and even vitamins (A, B, C, PP). Many of these constituents remain inadequately studied, necessitating further research to confirm their presence.

In practice, it has been found that rock juice has a wide range of beneficial properties for the human body. It all began by chance, when hunters and scouts noticed the effectiveness of mummies. Based on observations of mountain animals, they found that sick and injured animals used mummies to combat existing problems. Since then, the precise effects of mummy on human health have been under investigation. The results of the studies are surprising. Mummies have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and they also slow down the aging processes of the body. In addition, rock juice helps in the regeneration of damaged bones and improves the functioning of the entire body, including the circulatory and immune systems. There are also assumptions that mummies may have a positive effect on men's fertility.

Mumio is a dietary supplement, and as with other products in this category, we will not always come across products that contain 100% pure substances. Therefore, before purchasing, it is important to find out which criteria must be met to ensure that we are starting therapy with the right product. Genuine mumio is primarily characterized by the bitter, pleasant aroma of resin. In the case of mumios, the dissolved supplement will show the aroma of coffee or oil, which are most often added as fillers. In the case of pure stalactites, we usually have to do with a red substance in solid form, whose melting temperature is usually close to the body temperature. Therefore, natural mumio should melt in our hands. If we do not observe such a change, we can be sure that bitumen is present in the form of asphalt or resin. The rock secretion is also very well soluble in water, ethanol, and human body fluids (such as blood, tears, urine, plasma, or saliva). In the case of synthetic forms, we will not observe a similar phenomenon. In addition, the dosage of mumio has not yet been precisely developed, so we usually use recommended doses. In most dietary supplements, the amount is 0.2 g for adults. Mumio in powder form should be dissolved in water or milk, and the solution should be used both internally and externally. Mumio should be taken 30-60 minutes before meals.

Ultimately, we should ask ourselves whether mummy is another artificial ploy or perhaps a real remedy for a myriad of diseases? In my opinion, the truth lies somewhere in between, and we should treat this supplement as a fascinating curiosity. Just like the commonly used coconut water or fukoxanthin, we should remember that such a substance exists and be aware of its therapeutic possibilities. However, to fully evaluate its effectiveness, we must test its effects in practice ourselves. Unfortunately, the limited scientific analyses do not allow us to unambiguously confirm its healing properties.