REVIEW ARTICLE BENEFITS OF COW URINE – A REVIEW

Abstract

The Cow urine has been used from ancient times for curing many ailments of human beings. It is important and essential part of Panchgavya Chikitsa. Difffernt Ayurvedic literature have mentioned its importance and uses for treatment of, Kushtha, Kandu, Udarrog, Colic, Abdominal tumour, Enlargement of the abdomen and Flatulence, for therapies such as decoction purgation, enema etc. Many researches have also be done, which shows its use for treatment of Skin

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REVIEW ARTICLE
BENEFITS OF COW URINE – A REVIEW
*1Sahu Rekha, 2Lalchand, 3Gupta Rakshapal and 4Rout OmPrakash
1M.D. Scholar, Post Graduate Department of Dravyaguna, Govt. Ayurved College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
2M.D. Scholar, Post Graduate Department of Dravyaguna, Govt. Ayurved College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
3Professor & HOD, Post Graduate Department of Dravyaguna, Govt. Ayurved College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
4Lecturer, Post Graduate Department of Dravyaguna, Govt. Ayurved College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
The Cow urine has been used from ancient times for curing many ailments of human beings. It is
important and essential part of Panchgavya Chikitsa. Difffernt Ayurvedic literature have mentioned
its importance and uses for treatment of, Kushtha, Kandu, Udarrog, Colic, Abdominal tumour,
Enlargement of the abdomen and Flatulence, for therapies such as decoction purgation, enema etc.
Many researches have also be done, which shows its use for treatment of Skin diseases, Stomach
diseases, kidney diseases, Heart diseases, Stones, Diabetes, Liver problem, Jaundice, Athletes feet,
cyst, Hemorrhoid etc. and show its Immunostimulant, Bioenhencer, Anticonvulsant, Anti cancerous,
Wound healing, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial properties. It is also useful in agriculture for
preparation of vermicompost and biopesticides. This review article will collect all the qualities and
uses of Cow urine from different Ayurvedic and modern literature. The article will also collect the
data from all researches done on Cow urine. Cow urine is excellent bioenhencer and recently Cow
urine distillate has been granted U.S. patents. Further researches is required to prove its qualities and
benefits. Public awareness is required to promote the importance and wide applications of cow urine
to improve their health and lifestyle.
INTRODUCTION
Cow urine has a unique place in Ayurveda and has been
described in ‘SushrutaSamhita’ and ‘AstangaSangraha’ to be
the most effective substance of animal origin with innumerable
therapeutic values. In has been recognized as water of life or
“Amrita” (beverage of immotality), the nector of the God. In
India, drinking of cow urine has been practiced for thousand of
years (Dhama, 2005). It is an important content of Panchgavya
Chikitsa. Panchgavya is a formulation consisting cow’s urine
(Gomutra), milk (Godugdha), curd (Godadhi), ghee (Goghrit)
and dung (Gomaya). When these five cow products are used
for treatment it is known as Panchgavya Chikitsa. It is not only
used for human health but also for animal health and plant
growth. Different Ayurvedicliterature have mentioned the
properties and uses of Cow urine for treatment of various
diseases. Lots of researches have been conducted in Cow Urine
Treatment and Research Centre, Indore over the past few years
and it has been reported that gomutra is capable of curing
blood pressure, blockage in arteries, arthritis, diabetes, heart
attack, cancer, thyroid, asthma, psoriasis, eczema, prostate, fits,
AIDS, piles, migrane, ulcer, acidity, constipation,
gynecological problems and several other diseases (Dharma,
2005a).
*Corresponding author: Sahu Rekha,
M.D. Scholar, Post Graduate Department of Dravyaguna, Govt. Ayurved
College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
The main aim of this review is to collect data related with
properties and uses of cow urine and show the importance of
Cow Urine in our healthcare system.
Properties of Cow urine
According to Sushrut Samhita sutra sthan 45/220-221 cow
urine is Katu Rasa (pungent), Laghu (easily digestible),
Tikshna (penetrating), Ushanavirya (hot in potency),
Agnidipaka (kindles digestion), Medhya (improves intellect).
Because of Kshar Guna (alkaline property) it does not increase
Vata. It increase Pitta, decreases Kapha and Vata (Charak
Samhita, 2013). According to Charak Samhita sutra sthan
1/102 cow urine is Madhur rasa (sweet), somewhat alleviates
dosas (Sushrta Samhita, 2012). According to Astang Samgraha
sutra sthan 6/141-143 Gomutra is Katu rasa and
Lavanaanurasa. Rukshaguna, ushnavirya, It increases Pitta. It is
best among all other animal urine (Astanga Samgraha, 2011).
Composition of cow urine
Cow urine contents are water 95%, urea 2.5%, minerals, salt,
hormones and enzymes 2.5%. It contain iron, calcium,
phosphorus, potassium, urea, uric acid, amino acids, enzymes,
cytokine and lactose etc (Bhadauria, 2002).
Article History:
Received 29th June, 2017
Received in revised form
24th July, 2017
Accepted 17th August, 2017
Published online 29
th
September, 2017
www.ijramr.com
International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Research
Vol. 04, Issue 09, pp.2833-2835, September, 2017
Keywords:
Panchgavyachikitsa,
Ayurveda, Cow urine.
Immunomodulation,
Anticancer Property.

Uses of Cow Urine
According to Ayurvedic literatures
For treatment of diseases: According to Sushrut Samhita
sutra sthan 46/220-221 it is used for treatment of Shoola
(colic), Gulma (abdominal tumour), Udararoga (enlargement of
the abdomen) and Aanah (flatulence), Cow urine is useful for
therapies such as Virechana karma (purgation),
Aasthapanvasti (decoction enema) etc. In diseases which are
mentioned as curable by urines, there cow’s urine only should
be used (Charak Samhita, 2013). According to Charak Samhita
sutra sthan 1/102 destroys Krimi (worms) and Kustha
(leprosy), removes Kandu (itching) and taken internally is
beneficial in udararoga (enlargement of the abdomen) caused
by tridosha (SushrtaSamhita, 2013). According to Astang
Samgraha sutra sthan 6/141-143 it is useful for treatment of
Krimiroga (worm), Shopha, Udararoga (enlargement of the
abdomen), Aanah (flatulence), Shoola (colic), Panduroga
(Anaemia), Kaphavikar, Vat vikar, Gulma (abdominal tumour),
Aruchi, Vishvikar, Shvitraroga, Kushtaroga (leprosy) and
Arshroga (heamorroid). It is used for Virechana (purgation),
Aashthapanavasti (decoction enema), Aalepa, Swedana
(Sweating). It is Agnideepak, Paachak and Malabhedak
(Astanga Samgraha, 2011).
For formation of different formulation: Gomutra with
Haritaki (Terminaliachebula) is useful for treatment of
Kaphajshoth and Pandu (Sushrta Samhita, 2012).
For shodhan of different dravya: It is also useful for
shodhan of various Rasa-aushadhi like Abhrak(Mica),
Kansa(Bronze), Jasta(Zinc), Tamra(Copper), Tutiya(Copper
sulphate), Naga (Lead), Rajavarta, Roupya (Silver), Kant
Lauha, Swarna (Gold) etc.7(Ayurveda Sara Samgraha,
2013)and poisonous drugs like Vatsanabh, Dhaturbijaetc
(Rasatarangini, 2009).
Modern view: Cow urine has many beneficial properties
particularly in the area of agriculture and therapeutics. Now a
days a lot of emphasis has been given on the medicinal use of
Cow urine in India, Recently the cow urine has been granted U.
S. Patents (No. 6,896,907 and 6,4,10,059) for its medicinal
properties, particularly for its use along with antibiotics for the
control of bacterial infection and fight against cancer (Dharma,
2005a).
Agricultural use
For production of Vermicompost: Distillation waste (Plant
herbage after distillation) and cow’s urine has been used for
production of vermicompost (Dharma, 2005a)
Biopesticides: Cow urine after addition of Neem leaves is a
wonderful biopesticide. Such biopesticides are safe to use, do
not accumulate in the food chain and as such do not have the
harmful effects like chemical pesticides (Dharma, 2005).
Therapeutic uses of cow urine
 Skin diseases: It is very helpful in all kind of skin
problems, itching, sunburns, eczema, psoriasis, acne etc.
(CharakSamhita, 2013).
 Stomach, kidney and heart diseases: Cow dung and
urine are best cures for stomach diseases, heart diseases,
kidney ailments and tuberculosis (Dharma, 2005a)
 Stones : It can be used for stones. A glass of fresh cow
urine should be taken as a first thing in the morning for 21
days, Uric acid in cow urine dissolve these stones to a
manageable size (Dharma, 2005a).
 Antidiabetic effect: The antidiaetic effect of Cow urine
distillate and a standard drug, glibenclamide, was studied in
streptozotocin diabetic rats. The Cow urine Distillate
produced a significant reduction of the elevated blood
glucose, serum cholesterol and serum triglyseroides levels
when compared with the diabetic control (Gururaja, 2011).
 Liver problem: Daily doses of 1-2 ounces of warm cow
urine are used to treat cirrhosis of liver (Dharma, 2005a)
 Jaundice: Antimony sulphide and cow urine taken
internally are used to cure malignant jaundice (Dharma,
2005a).
 Athletes feet: It has a cure for athletes feet (Dharma,
2005a).
 Immunostimulant: Cow urine has immunostimulant
activity in plants and animal health. Research have been
done to evaluale the whole freeze dried Cow Urine and the
fraction of Cow Urine for their immunomodulatory
potential in rats. As per findings dried cow urine exhibited
better effect on immune system compaired to methanol,
ethyl acetate, aqueous and acetone fractions of cow-urine.10
 Anticovulsant Agent: A herbal preparation popular in
Nigeria is based on cow’s urine and some herbs known as
cow urine concoction (CUC). Its major pharmacological
actions are anticonvulsant and hypoglycemic effects
(Dharma, 2005a).
 Cysts: For the case of sebaceous cyst incision followed by
washing with cow’s urine is prescribed (Dharma, 2005a).
 Bioenhencer: Bioenhencers are substances, which do not
possess drug activity of their own but promote and augment
the bioactivity or bioavailability or the uptake of drugs in
combination therapy (Joshi, 2002).
Recently Cow urine distillate has been granted U. S. patents for
its medicinal properties particularly for its bioenhenceractivites
of commonly used antibiotics, anti-fungal and anti-cancer
drugs (The Hindu, 2002).
 Anti cancer properties: Cow urine posseses anticancer
properties. Research works carried out by Go-
VigyanAnusandhan Kendra (Cow science research center)
at Nagpur revealed the beneficial properties of cow urine in
the treatment of cancer. Further extensive research on Cow
urine therapy against fighting carried out by scientists of
Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
(CIMAP), CSIR center at Lucknow, along with
collaboration with Go-Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra, Nagpur
confirmed this milestone achievement (Dharma, 2005a).
 Wound healing property: It is observed by researches that
cow urine is having antiseptic properties in wound healing
and that the healing times is somewhat less in comparison
to wound on which antiseptic cream was applied
(Maheshwari, 2004).
 Antioxidant and Antimicrobial properties: The cow
urine and its distillate tested for antioxidant and
antimicrobial activities, it shows that comparatively fresh
International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Research 2834

cow urine was found to be better than its distillate (Edwin
Jarald, 2008).
 Hemorrhoid: Clinical evaluation of cow urine extract have
been done in hemorrhoid patients. Result shows that oral
supplemention of cow urine in Hemorrhoids patients has
prevented the time consuming, painful and expensive
complications of Hemorrhoids (www.ijpsi.org).
 As Disinfectant: Cow urine can be used for preparation of
Disinfectant (Mandavgane, 2015).
 Antifungal activity of Cow urine: Antifungal activity of
cow urine was analyzed (In vitro) against
Aspergillusflavus. When the two fungal organism were
compared, maximum growth suppression was observed in
Aspergillusniger than Aspergillus flavus (Arunkumar
Sathasivam, 2010).
Conclusion
Because of increasing population people will facing the
problem of shortage of fuel, shelter, food, good health,
neutrition, these problems can be solved by adopting
alternative source of energy. Cow urine is the one of the
alternative method which can help to improve our health care
system. Though Ayurvedic texts have mentioned the properties
and uses of Cow urine in detail, but a systemic work need to be
carried out on chemical nature, biological activity,
microbiological and pharmaceutical aspects and mechanism of
bioactive compounds in Panchgavya along with promotional
clinical trials both in preventing and treating diseases of
humans as well as their livestocks (Khan Mohd, 2015).
Necessary support of scientist as well as researchers and
clinicians is desired in order to strengthening the miraculous
effect of Cow urine, which will inspire both physician and
public to adapt and propagate this wonderful therapy for the
beneficial health benefits and help fighting various diseases
and disorders of both animals and humans (Mathivanan, 2013).
The Panchgavya theory of Ayurveda should gain popularity
not only in traditional families but also in highly educated and
scientific society. An integrated approach is necessary to
promote the highly valuable vitues and wide applications of
Cow urine (Dharma, 2005a).
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