Cow urine


Cow urine is a liquid by-product of metabolism in cows. Cow urine is also used in medicine in India, Myanmar, Nepal and Nigeria. While cow urine and cow dung has benefits as fertilizers, the proponents' claims about curing diseases and cancer have no scientific backing.

Claimed benefits and usage

In religious rituals

Some Hindus claim that cow urine has a special significance as a medicinal drink. The sprinkling of cow urine is said to have a spiritual cleansing effect as well.
Cattle were a basic economic unit in ancient India, and cows are holy for many Hindus and their slaughter is considered to be sinful.

Folk medicine

Cow urine is used for attempted therapeutic purposes in ancient Ayurvedic medicine. Urine of a pregnant cow is considered special; it is claimed to contain special hormones and minerals.
According to Ayurveda, Gomutra can cure leprosy, fever, peptic ulcer, liver ailments, kidney disorders, Asthma, certain allergies, skin problems like Psoriasis, anaemia and even cancer. One of India's largest Ayurvedic companies, Patanjali Ayurved, sells urine-based products.
Cow urine is also used in Myanmar and Nigeria as a folk medicine. 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. This has resulted in the death of several children from respiratory depression.

As a floor cleaner

A floor-cleaning fluid called Gaunyle is marketed by an organisation called Holy Cow Foundation. Maneka Gandhi, Women and Child Development Minister, has proposed that Gaunyle be used instead of Phenyl in government offices. In May 2015, Rajendra Singh Rathore, Medical and Health Minister of Rajasthan, inaugurated a cow-urine refinery in Jalore. The refinery was set up by Parthvimeda Gau Pharma Pvt. Ltd. which produces a floor cleaner called Gocleaner.

In organic farming

Gomutra is used as a manure for production of rice. Jeevamrutha is a fertilizer made from a mixture of cow urine, cow dung, jaggery, pulse flour and rhizosphere soil.