The difference between Shilajit-based fulvic acid (FAs) and alluvial soil-derived fulvic acids lies in the core structures of the fulvic acids (FAs) in these compositions. Shilajit-FAs contains 3,8-oxygenated dibenzo-?-pyrone as the core nucleus, which, upon repeated oxidation, and Michael addition reactions by nucleophile-containing oxygen, nitrogen and carbon ions, in association with various lipid moieties, produce a multiplayer micellar structure. In contrast, alluvial soil-FAs are composed essentially of aromatic hydroxy acids and polyphenols derived from phenolic oxidations. Both these FAs contain different metal ions, especially Fe, Co, Zn, Ca, etc., associated with the FAs. The metals in Shilajit-FAs are well-organized, multicentered, metal-ion associated products which, in the case of iron, maintains the metal in the reduced state and produce different iron-containing enzymes. Such trace ion-metal associations are not possible for soil-FAs because they have a much less organized heteropolycondensate structure whose micellar structure is irregular.

Another unique feature of Shilajit-FAs is that it is of endogenous origin produced by animal systems. These systems meet the essential need of bioavailability of trace metals and minerals, which serve as a carrier of essential nutrients in the living animal body. By contrast, soil-FAs, being exogenous in origin, do not contribute to those essential needs of animals.

Shilajit-FAs also contains oligomeric (di, tri, tetra) dibenzo-?-pyrones, which scavenge free radicals and free metal ions, to become a soft-spin radical. In contrast, soil-FAs contain only esters of phenolic acids which do not have the antioxidant activity possessed by Shilajit-FAs.

Significantly, acylated DBP, with a lipid chain, are present in Shilajit-FAs; these actives behave like a liposome (polymicellar structure) which can act as an efficient carrier molecule. The phenolic acid esters present in soil-FAs do not possess these characteristics.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, the purified fulvic acid carrier constituent of native Shilajit, without toxic components, and substantially without bioactive constituents in the voids of the carrier, is provided by a defined extraction procedure from native Shilajit.