Cow urine

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cow urine (गोमूत्र "Gomutra" in Hindi) is used as medicine mainly in India where cows are considered as holy by Hindus.[1] In addition cow urine is consumed as a drink by people believing it to boost the immunity.[2] Cow urine is one of the five contents of Panchagavya meaning five products obtained from a cow (urine, milk, ghee, curd and dung). Cow urine is also used in folk medicine in Myanmar, Nepal and Nigeria.[3]

Uses of cow urine[change | change source]

To treat diseases[change | change source]

From ancient times it is used in Ayurveda medicine to treat leprosy, fever, peptic ulcers, liver diseases, kidney diseases, asthma, psoriasis and for weight loss in obesity.[4][5][6]

In Farming[change | change source]

Cow urine is used in organic farming as a fertilizer and to protect crops from fungal infections.[7]

Other uses[change | change source]

In addition cow urine is used as a floor cleaner and to manufacture cosmetic products like skin creams, bathing liquids and soap.[8][9][10]

False Beliefs[change | change source]

Although many Hindus believe cow urine can cure cancer, it is not backed by scientific research with some scientists saying cow urine may not have any medicinal value at all.[11][12] Some Hindus including political figures in India believe that cow urine contains gold which is also a myth.[13]

References[change | change source]

  1. "Can Cow Urine (Gaumutra) really cure cancer?". The Times of India. 2019-04-28. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  2. Bhattacharya, D. P. "Thousands of litres of cow urine consumed in Gujarat daily". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  3. AWALE, Suresh; LINN, Thein Zaw; THAN, Myint Myint; THET, Maung Maung; SWE, Thein; SAIKI, Ikuo; KADOTA, Shigetoshi (2006). "An amazing cow's urine therapy practice in Myanmar". Journal of Traditional Medicines. 23. doi:10.11339/jtm.23.178. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  4. "Diversified uses of cow urine". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  5. Admin, Super (2020-09-07). "Cow Urine Benefits for Weight Loss". Cow Kart. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  6. Sharma, Sanjay; Hatware, Ketan; Deshpande, Ashwini; Dande, Payal; Karri, Sravani (December 2017). "Antiobesity Potential of Fresh Cow Urine and its Distillate - A Biomedicine for Tomorrow". Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. 51 (4s): s712–s721. doi:10.5530/ijper.51.4s.103.
  7. Jandaik, Savita; Thakur, Preeti; Kumar, Vikas (2015-11-05). "Efficacy of Cow Urine as Plant Growth Enhancer and Antifungal Agent". Advances in Agriculture. 2015: 1–7. doi:10.1155/2015/620368.
  8. "Cow urine cleaner to replace phenyl in government offices". India Today. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  9. "India's cow-based skin care products". Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  10. "5 products made from cow urine or dung". India Today. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  11. "A cure for cancer – or just a very political animal?". The Independent. 2010-07-21. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  12. "Scientists Say Cow Urine Has 'Zero' Health Benefits & That Sounds Like Bad News For Indian Govt". www.mensxp.com. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-15.[permanent dead link]
  13. Singh, Shiv Sahay (2020-07-18). "Drink cow urine to fight virus: Bengal BJP chief". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-10-15.