Shungite is a carbon-rich stone said to have healing properties. While it’s believed to purify water and protect against radiation, research is limited.

What Are the Potential Benefits of Shungite?

There isn’t much scientific evidence to prove that drinking water with shungite or holding the stone offers health benefits.

Most health claims are anecdotal or lack solid research. Shungite’s carbon content can also vary, affecting its effectiveness at absorbing pathogens.

• The most common shungite contains about 30% carbon.
• Raw shungite contains 60% carbon and has visible flaws like veining.
• High-carbon, or “noble elite,” shungite often contains up to 90% carbon and has a smooth finish.23

May Help Destroy Bacteria and Viruses  

Shungite has antibacterial and antiviral properties thanks to its fullerenes, spherical molecules containing 60 carbon atoms that form a hollow carbon nanostructure (CNS).

Lab research shows the CNSs in shungite can destroy pathogens in two ways:4

1. Damage bacteria and viruses’ cellular walls
2. Cause microbes to die after losing electrons (negatively charged particles)

However, there is no solid evidence that shungite’s ability to kill bacteria and viruses can help treat infections or health conditions.

Helps Purify Water

Drinking shungite water (water infused with shungite) may help remove harmful pathogens that can cause disease and other health issues.

The carbon structure of shungite, which destroys bacteria and viruses, can also remove these germs from water sources.4

After 24 hours, shungite water may eliminate bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus uberis (S. uberis), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), but not Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) or Candida albicans (C. albicans) yeast.5

However, shungite can release heavy metals into water, especially if the stone is not washed correctly.6

May Reduce Emotional Stress

If you meditate or practice mindfulness with shungite, you may experience stress relief. However, since mediation is a proven stress-relief method, it’s not clear how much shungite actually helps, or if those who experience stress relief are experiencing a placebo effect.78

May Reduce Oxidative Stress from EMFs

Proponents of shungite also claim the stone can help protect from cell-damaging oxidative stress caused by EMFs—radiation from sunlight and electronics. No human research has proven this claim.910

How Do You Use It?

While it’s unlikely shungite offers many benefits besides purifying water, here’s how to incorporate shungite into your lifestyle:

• Shungite-infused drinking water: Steeping shungite stone in water or using a shungite water filter can help purify water and remove some germs. 6
• Meditate with shungite: During meditation or yoga, place shungite stones around you. You can also hold shungite in your hands during meditation.
• Carry shungite with you: You can carry shungite in your bag or pocket, or wear shungite stones as jewelry.
• Place shungite near EMF sources: You can place it near electronic devices, like Wi-Fi routers.
• Decorate your home: Place shungite throughout your home, especially near your bed.

How Do You Make Shungite Water?

If you want to drink shungite water, proceed with caution. Aside from purifying water, the benefits are unknown, and shungite water can leach heavy metals into water.

If you still want to try shungite water, follow these steps to remove as many heavy metals as possible:6

1. Wash your shungite stone(s) under water for two minutes.
2. Repeat the washing process five times.
3. Soak your shungite in water at a 1:10 ratio for five days, changing the water daily.
4. Place it in an infuser, teabag, or directly in your container. Cover with water and let it steep for another 24 hours.
5. Remove the shungite, and you’re ready to drink your shungite water.

Is Shungite Safe?

Drinking water with shungite can be risky, and no specific amount of shungite water is considered safe to drink.

When submerged in water, shungite can release toxic heavy metals like nickel, copper, zinc, lead, arsenic, and cadmium, but washing it in water for five days can reduce heavy metal levels.6

When drinking shungite water, you should also avoid ingesting the stone, as it could cause choking or irritation in your stomach and bowels.

Keeping a shungite stone on your person as jewelry or displayed in your home is considered safe. Shungite stones should not be used as a replacement for other health treatments.