Humic substances

What they are

Humic substances are what remains when plant and microbial matter is broken down over long time-scales. The family has three members, separated mainly by size and solubility: fulvic acid (smallest, soluble at all pH), humic acid (larger), and humin (insoluble).

Why they matter

They are redox-active macromolecules — able to both accept and donate electrons — which underpins their biological interest. In shilajit, the fulvic fraction is the one small enough to be readily bioavailable, which is why a resin is graded by its fulvic content rather than its total humic mass.

At a glance

What the chemistry shows

A well-characterized family in geochemistry; the clinical interest is newer and narrower.

Where you'll find it

Nearby in the Codex

Go deeper