Dairy farmers in Rajasthan are now benefiting more from cow’s urine as compared to its milk. The rise in demand is related to its consumption in the organic farming industry and its use in the Ayurvedic medicines.
Kailesh Gujjar, a farmer from Jaipur claimed in a Times Of India report that his earnings have increased by at least 30 percent after he started selling cow urine, apart from milk. Cow urine is sold between Rs 15 to Rs 30 as compared to milk being sold at only between Rs 22 and Rs 25. Gir and Tharparkar are particular high breed cows which are used for the process of collecting urine.
The high demand amongst organic farmers for its use as an alternative to pesticides largely correlates with its market value. A mixture of cow urine and neem leave extract is used as a bio-pesticide. Cow urine is also claimed to treat many ailments including cancer. Hinduism classifies cow urine, also called Gomutra, as a medicinal drink. Although all these claims are largely based on religious beliefs and not backed by any scientific research.
Governments in several states have started backing up cow urine as a medicine. “Not just for medicinal purpose, we will promote cow urine as a health giving drink. We have prepared a plan and will discuss it with Ayurveda department in Lucknow for approval. Drinking 10 ml to 20 ml cow urine daily will act as a preventive against seasonal diseases, like fever, cough and stomach-related ailments. Daily consumption of cow urine will also help increase people’s immunity. Our aim is to make cow urine easily available to common public.” Dr Prakash Chandra Saxena, principal and superintendent of Government Ayurveda College and Hospital in Pilibhit, told The Times Of India in a previous report.
A representational image | Source: Indian Express
Researchers from Junagadh Agriculture University, Gujarat claimed to have killed cancer cells using cow urine. The anti-proliferation and cytotoxic action of the Gir cow urine extract showed success in killing the cancer cells. Although, Dr Anitha Ramesh, a senior oncologist denies the claims saying “any such report cannot be accepted for cancer treatment as the ethics and authenticity is questionable.” in a report for the Deccan Chronicle.
Cow urine, in Hinduism, is considered as a spiritual cleanser. Ayurveda uses cow urine in medicines which are claimed to be effective against leprosy, abdominal colic pain, bloating, and cancer. While some swear by the magical healing powers, others claim that this is all propaganda by the right-wing government to stop cow slaughter.
