The Uttar Pradesh government has officially approved the use of cow urine as a treatment for a total of 19 diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, and even anemia.
The Uttar Pradesh government is rolling out a large-scale initiative to develop and distribute Ayurvedic products made from Panchgavya, a mixture of five cow products including milk, curd, ghee, urine, and dung in a bid to promote Ayurveda and revive traditional medicine.
The Ayurvedic products, ranging from toothpaste to medicinal ointments, are being positioned as cures for diseases like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, and anemia.
The decision, backed by the AYUSH Department, aims to blend traditional knowledge with modern research methodologies, generate rural employment and enhance the utility of cow shelters.
Cow urine has long been in Indian traditional medicine. Cow urine has long held a place in Ayurvedic texts like the Sushruta Samhita and Bhav Prakash Nighantu.
Experts claim that cow urine has medicinal qualities that boost the immune system.
However, this endorsement is far from universally accepted. A 2023 study by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute found that cow urine samples contained harmful bacteria, including E. coli, raising serious health concerns about direct consumption.
