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'''Cow urine''' is a liquid by-product of metabolism in cows. Cow urine is | '''Cow urine''' or Gomutra is a liquid by-product of metabolism in cows. Cow urine is used as medicine in [[India]], [[Myanmar]], and [[Nigeria]]. While cow urine and [[Panchagavya|cow dung]] have benefits as fertilizers, the proponents' claims about its curing diseases and cancer have no scientific backing.<ref name=Nelson/><ref>{{cite news |title= A cure for cancer – or just a very political animal? |author= Andrew Buncombe |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/a-cure-for-cancer-ndash-or-just-a-very-political-animal-2031253.html |newspaper= The Independent |date = 21 July 2010 |access-date=21 March 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/from-cure-in-cow-urine-to-superior-child-pseudoscience-inviting-research-118030200581_1.html |title = From cure in cow urine to 'superior child', pseudoscience inviting research |first=Ankur|last=Paliwal|date=3 March 2018|via=Business Standard|newspaper=Business Standard India|access-date=8 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008202044/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/from-cure-in-cow-urine-to-superior-child-pseudoscience-inviting-research-118030200581_1.html |archive-date=8 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/of-cowpathy-amp-its-miracles/article8994408.ece |title = Of 'cowpathy' & its miracles|first=R. |last=RAMACHANDRAN |website=Frontline}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/17/opinion/mr-modi-dont-patent-cow-urine.html |title=Mr. Modi, Don't Patent Cow Urine|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=2016-06-16|last1=Prabhala|first1=Achal|last2=Krishnaswamy|first2=Sudhir|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008202044/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/17/opinion/mr-modi-dont-patent-cow-urine.html|archive-date=8 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
== | == Usage == | ||
[[File:Cow's urine used as a medical treatment in India Wellcome V0041323.jpg|thumb|260px|Cow's urine historically used as a treatment in India. A sick man is held over a cow's hindquarters so that the cow's urine streams onto his face.]] | [[File:Cow's urine used as a medical treatment in India Wellcome V0041323.jpg|thumb|260px|Cow's urine historically used as a treatment in [[India|Indian]] [[Ayurvedic medicine]]. A sick man is held over a cow's hindquarters so that the cow's urine streams onto his face.]] | ||
===Folk medicine=== | ===Folk medicine=== | ||
[[File:Cow urine.JPG|thumb|260px| Cow urine]] | [[File:Cow urine.JPG|thumb| 260px| Cow urine]] | ||
Some Hindus claim that cow urine has a special significance as a medicinal drink.<ref name= | Some Hindus claim that cow urine has a special significance as a medicinal drink.<ref name="Ben Burrows">{{cite news |url = https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/hindu-worshippers-drink-cow-urine-3017661 |title = Pictured: A very few Indian Hindu worshippers drink COW URINE to help prevent cancer newspaper |newspaper = [[Daily Mirror]] |author=Ben Burrows |date=13 January 2014 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160106081241/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/hindu-worshippers-drink-cow-urine-3017661 |archive-date=6 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Nelson>{{cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4592608/India-makes-cola-from-cow-urine.html |title=India makes cola from cow urine |newspaper = [[The Daily Telegraph]] |author=Dean Nelson |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409084013/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4592608/India-makes-cola-from-cow-urine.html |archive-date=9 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The sprinkling of cow urine is said to have a spiritual cleansing effect as well.<ref name=Sutra>{{cite news |title=Kamadhenu Sutra |url = http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Kamadhenu-Sutra/219290 |access-date=6 January 2015|website=[[Outlook India]]|date=10 March 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106123543/http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Kamadhenu-Sutra/219290|archive-date=6 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Students>{{cite news|title=Teachers "purify" students with cow urine|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-students-urine-idUSSP32758320070423|access-date=6 January 2015|work=[[Reuters]]|date=23 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111212070939/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/04/23/us-india-students-urine-idUSSP32758320070423 |archive-date=12 December 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Cow urine is used for attempted therapeutic purposes in ancient [[Ayurvedic medicine]].<ref name="SahasrabudheMahatme2000">{{cite book|author1=N. H. Sahasrabudhe|author2=R. D. Mahatme|title=Mystic Science of Vastu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UQdaR0hZm9oC&pg=PA68|year=2000|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=978-81-207-2206-4|page=68|access-date=28 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323211633/https://books.google.com/books?id=UQdaR0hZm9oC&pg=PA68|archive-date=23 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sairam2008">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YZNtAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT311|title=The Penguin Dictionary of Alternative Medicine|author=T V Sairam|date=16 January 2008|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=978-93-5118-127-9|page=311|access-date=6 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321210359/https://books.google.com/books?id=YZNtAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT311|archive-date=21 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Urine of a pregnant cow is considered special; it is claimed to contain special hormones and minerals.<ref name="SahasrabudheMahatme2000" /> | Cow urine is used for attempted therapeutic purposes in ancient [[Ayurvedic medicine]].<ref name="SahasrabudheMahatme2000">{{cite book|author1=N. H. Sahasrabudhe|author2=R. D. Mahatme|title=Mystic Science of Vastu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UQdaR0hZm9oC&pg=PA68|year=2000|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=978-81-207-2206-4|page=68|access-date=28 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323211633/https://books.google.com/books?id=UQdaR0hZm9oC&pg=PA68|archive-date=23 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sairam2008">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YZNtAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT311|title=The Penguin Dictionary of Alternative Medicine|author=T V Sairam|date=16 January 2008|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=978-93-5118-127-9|page=311|access-date=6 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321210359/https://books.google.com/books?id=YZNtAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT311|archive-date=21 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Urine of a pregnant cow is considered special; it is claimed to contain special hormones and minerals.<ref name="SahasrabudheMahatme2000" /> | ||
According to | According to ayurvedas, ''Gomutra'' (cow urine) can cure [[leprosy]], fevers, [[peptic ulcer]]s, [[liver]] ailments, [[kidney]] disorders, [[asthma]], certain allergies, [[psoriasis]], [[anaemia]] and even [[cancer]].<ref name="Sairam2008" /><ref name="Asthma">{{cite news|title=Cow urine aids treatment of cancer, asthma?|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-07-12/news/32648877_1_cow-urine-organic-farming-panchagavya|access-date=6 January 2015|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106112102/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-07-12/news/32648877_1_cow-urine-organic-farming-panchagavya|archive-date=6 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> One of India's largest Ayurvedic companies, [[Patanjali Ayurved]], sells urine-based products.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/02/15/asia/india-cow-urine-research/index.html|title=Why India's investigating cow urine|author=Huizhong Wu|website=CNN|date=15 February 2017|access-date=2020-04-27}}</ref> | ||
Cow urine is also used in [[Myanmar]] and [[Nigeria]] as a folk medicine.<ref name=Myanmar>{{cite news|title=An amazing cow's urine therapy practice in Myanmar|publisher=[[University of Toyama]]|hdl=10110/1993}}</ref><ref name=CowUrineonToad>{{cite journal|title=Effects of cow urine concoction and nicotine on the nerve-muscle preparation in common African toad Bufo regularis|journal=Biomedical Research|date=2005|volume=16|issue=3|pages=205–211}}</ref> In Nigeria, a concoction of leaves of [[tobacco]], [[garlic]] and [[lemon basil]] juice, rock salt and cow urine is used in an attempt to treat [[convulsion]]s in children.<ref name=CowUrineonToad/> This has resulted in the death of several children from respiratory depression.<ref name=KwaraWarns>{{cite news|title=Don't use cow urine to treat infant epilepsy, Kwara warns mothers|url=http://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nnorth-east/118417-dont-use-cow-urine-to-treat-infant-epilepsy-kwara-warns-mothers.html|access-date=29 March 2015|work=Premium Times|date=2 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140903/http://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nnorth-east/118417-dont-use-cow-urine-to-treat-infant-epilepsy-kwara-warns-mothers.html|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==== COVID-19 ==== | ==== COVID-19 ==== | ||
On 14 March 2020, a | On 14 March 2020, a [[Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha]] hosted a cow urine drinking party with over 200 people in attendance to ward off [[COVID-19]]. This urine drinking party was held weeks after a leader from India's North Eastern state of [[Assam]] told state lawmakers during an assembly that "cow urine and cow dung can be used to treat the [[coronavirus]]. Leaders from [[Bharatiya Janta Party|BJP]] had previously called for the use of cow urine as medicine and a cure for cancer.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news|last1=Danish|first1=Siddiqui|title=Hindu group offers cow urine in a bid to ward off coronavirus|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-india-cow-urine-pa/hindu-group-offers-cow-urine-in-a-bid-to-ward-off-coronavirus-idUSKBN2110D5|website=Reuters|date=14 March 2020|agency=Reuters|accessdate=7 May 2020}}</ref> | ||
In May 2021, two men in [[Manipur|Manipur, India]] were jailed for stating that cow dung, cow urine and manure were not the cures for COVID-19. They had criticized the BJP on Facebook for recommending cow dung and cow urine and were arrested under India's [[National Security Act (India)|National Security Act]]. They were jailed for 45 days.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Two Men Have Been in Jail for 45 Days for Saying Cow Poop and Piss Can't Cure COVID|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dyv4vq/arrest-cow-poop-piss-covid-hindu-nationalism-modi-india|access-date=2021-07-06|website=www.vice.com|language=en}}</ref> | |||
===As a floor cleaner=== | ===As a floor cleaner=== | ||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
===In organic farming=== | ===In organic farming=== | ||
[[File:Jeewamrut urine storage cans (4950882796).jpg|thumb|260px| ''Jeevamrutha'' storage cans]] | [[File:Jeewamrut urine storage cans (4950882796).jpg|thumb| 260px| ''Jeevamrutha'' storage cans]] | ||
Gomutra is used as a [[manure]] for production of rice.<ref name=Paddy>{{cite news|title=Farmer cultivates paddy with cow urine, dung |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/farmer-cultivates-paddy-with-cow-urine-dung/article4193671.ece |access-date=6 January 2015 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=13 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227052550/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/farmer-cultivates-paddy-with-cow-urine-dung/article4193671.ece|archive-date=27 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jeevamrutha]] is a fertilizer made from a mixture of cow urine, [[cow dung]], [[jaggery]], [[Pulse (legume)|pulse | Gomutra is used as a [[manure]] for production of rice.<ref name=Paddy>{{cite news|title=Farmer cultivates paddy with cow urine, dung |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/farmer-cultivates-paddy-with-cow-urine-dung/article4193671.ece |access-date=6 January 2015 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=13 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227052550/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/farmer-cultivates-paddy-with-cow-urine-dung/article4193671.ece|archive-date=27 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Jeevamrutha]]'' is a fertilizer made from a mixture of cow urine, [[cow dung]], [[jaggery]], [[Pulse (legume)|pulse]] flour and [[rhizosphere]] soil.<ref name="SatyanarayanaJohri2012">{{cite book|author1=T. Satyanarayana|author2=Bhavdish Narain Johri|author3=Anil Prakash|title=Microorganisms in Sustainable Agriculture and Biotechnology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nMlHHCXVP0EC&pg=PA63|access-date=6 January 2015|date=2 January 2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-94-007-2214-9|page=63}}</ref> | ||
=== Diesel-cow urine emulsion === | === Diesel-cow urine emulsion === | ||
Cow urine has also been used in various researches for the preparation of emulsified diesel. The results found with such a newly-synthesized emulsion were quite satisfactory for diesel exhaust emissions and engine efficiency.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=jhalani |first1=amit |last2=Sharma |first2=Dilip |last3=Soni |first3=Shyamlal |last4=Sharma |first4=Pushpendra Kumar |last5=Singh |first5=Digambar |title=Feasibility assessment of a newly prepared cow-urine emulsified diesel fuel for CI engine application |journal=Fuel |year=2021 |volume=288 |page=119713 |doi=10.1016/j.fuel.2020.119713 |s2cid=229400709 }}</ref> | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Camel urine]] | |||
* [[Alternative cancer treatments]] | * [[Alternative cancer treatments]] | ||
* [[Alternative medicine]] | * [[Alternative medicine]] | ||
| Line 45: | Line 46: | ||
* {{Commons category-inline|Cow urine}} | * {{Commons category-inline|Cow urine}} | ||
[[Category:Ayurvedic medicaments]] | [[Category:Ayurvedic medicaments]] | ||
[[Category:Biopesticides]] | [[Category:Biopesticides]] | ||
[[Category:Organic fertilizers]] | [[Category:Organic fertilizers]] | ||
[[Category:Urine]] | |||
Latest revision as of 15:22, 3 May 2022
Cow urine or Gomutra is a liquid by-product of metabolism in cows. Cow urine is used as medicine in India, Myanmar, and Nigeria. While cow urine and cow dung have benefits as fertilizers, the proponents' claims about its curing diseases and cancer have no scientific backing.[1][2][3][4][5]
Usage[edit]
Cow's urine historically used as a treatment in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. A sick man is held over a cow's hindquarters so that the cow's urine streams onto his face.
Folk medicine[edit]
Some Hindus claim that cow urine has a special significance as a medicinal drink.[6][1] The sprinkling of cow urine is said to have a spiritual cleansing effect as well.[7][8]
Cow urine is used for attempted therapeutic purposes in ancient Ayurvedic medicine.[9][10] Urine of a pregnant cow is considered special; it is claimed to contain special hormones and minerals.[9] According to ayurvedas, Gomutra (cow urine) can cure leprosy, fevers, peptic ulcers, liver ailments, kidney disorders, asthma, certain allergies, psoriasis, anaemia and even cancer.[10][11] One of India's largest Ayurvedic companies, Patanjali Ayurved, sells urine-based products.[12]
Cow urine is also used in Myanmar and Nigeria as a folk medicine.[13][14] In Nigeria, a concoction of leaves of tobacco, garlic and lemon basil juice, rock salt and cow urine is used in an attempt to treat convulsions in children.[14] This has resulted in the death of several children from respiratory depression.[15]
COVID-19[edit]
On 14 March 2020, a Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha hosted a cow urine drinking party with over 200 people in attendance to ward off COVID-19. This urine drinking party was held weeks after a leader from India's North Eastern state of Assam told state lawmakers during an assembly that "cow urine and cow dung can be used to treat the coronavirus. Leaders from BJP had previously called for the use of cow urine as medicine and a cure for cancer.[16]
In May 2021, two men in Manipur, India were jailed for stating that cow dung, cow urine and manure were not the cures for COVID-19. They had criticized the BJP on Facebook for recommending cow dung and cow urine and were arrested under India's National Security Act. They were jailed for 45 days.[17]
As a floor cleaner[edit]
A floor-cleaning fluid called Gaunyle is marketed by an organisation called Holy Cow Foundation.[18] Maneka Gandhi, Women and Child Development Minister, has proposed that Gaunyle be used instead of Phenyl in government offices.[19] In May 2015, Rajendra Singh Rathore, Medical and Health Minister of Rajasthan, inaugurated a ₹40 million (US$460,000) cow-urine refinery in Jalore.[20][21] The refinery was set up by Parthvimeda Gau Pharma Pvt. Ltd. which produces a floor cleaner called Gocleaner.[21]
In organic farming[edit]
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Gomutra is used as a manure for production of rice.[22] Jeevamrutha is a fertilizer made from a mixture of cow urine, cow dung, jaggery, pulse flour and rhizosphere soil.[23]
Diesel-cow urine emulsion[edit]
Cow urine has also been used in various researches for the preparation of emulsified diesel. The results found with such a newly-synthesized emulsion were quite satisfactory for diesel exhaust emissions and engine efficiency.[24]
See also[edit]
- Camel urine
- Alternative cancer treatments
- Alternative medicine
- Aqua omnium florum
- Cattle in religion and mythology
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dean Nelson (11 February 2009). "India makes cola from cow urine". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 9 April 2010. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
- ↑ Andrew Buncombe (21 July 2010). "A cure for cancer – or just a very political animal?". The Independent. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ↑ Paliwal, Ankur (3 March 2018). "From cure in cow urine to 'superior child', pseudoscience inviting research". Business Standard India. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019 – via Business Standard.
- ↑ RAMACHANDRAN, R. "Of 'cowpathy' & its miracles". Frontline.
- ↑ Prabhala, Achal; Krishnaswamy, Sudhir (16 June 2016). "Mr. Modi, Don't Patent Cow Urine". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
- ↑ Ben Burrows (13 January 2014). "Pictured: A very few Indian Hindu worshippers drink COW URINE to help prevent cancer newspaper". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
- ↑ "Kamadhenu Sutra". Outlook India. 10 March 2003. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ↑ "Teachers "purify" students with cow urine". Reuters. 23 April 2007. Archived from the original on 12 December 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 N. H. Sahasrabudhe; R. D. Mahatme (2000). Mystic Science of Vastu. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 68. ISBN 978-81-207-2206-4. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 T V Sairam (16 January 2008). The Penguin Dictionary of Alternative Medicine. Penguin Books Limited. p. 311. ISBN 978-93-5118-127-9. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ↑ "Cow urine aids treatment of cancer, asthma?". The Economic Times. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ↑ Huizhong Wu (15 February 2017). "Why India's investigating cow urine". CNN. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- ↑ "An amazing cow's urine therapy practice in Myanmar". University of Toyama. hdl:10110/1993.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Effects of cow urine concoction and nicotine on the nerve-muscle preparation in common African toad Bufo regularis". Biomedical Research. 16 (3): 205–211. 2005.
- ↑ "Don't use cow urine to treat infant epilepsy, Kwara warns mothers". Premium Times. 2 February 2013. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ↑ Danish, Siddiqui (14 March 2020). "Hindu group offers cow urine in a bid to ward off coronavirus". Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ↑ "Two Men Have Been in Jail for 45 Days for Saying Cow Poop and Piss Can't Cure COVID". www.vice.com. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ↑ "Use cow urine to clean offices, says Maneka Gandhi". The Times of India. 25 March 2015. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
- ↑ "Cow urine cleaner to replace phenyl in government offices". India Today. 9 January 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ↑ "Cow-urine refinery inaugurated at Jalore". Deccan Herald. 3 May 2015. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Cow urine to be used to clean Rajasthan government hospitals". India Today. 5 May 2015. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ↑ "Farmer cultivates paddy with cow urine, dung". The Hindu. 13 December 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ↑ T. Satyanarayana; Bhavdish Narain Johri; Anil Prakash (2 January 2012). Microorganisms in Sustainable Agriculture and Biotechnology. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 63. ISBN 978-94-007-2214-9. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ↑ jhalani, amit; Sharma, Dilip; Soni, Shyamlal; Sharma, Pushpendra Kumar; Singh, Digambar (2021). "Feasibility assessment of a newly prepared cow-urine emulsified diesel fuel for CI engine application". Fuel. 288: 119713. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2020.119713. S2CID 229400709.