Review Article DIVERSIFIED USES OF COW URINE IPSITA MOHANTY 1 *, MANAS RANJAN SENAPATI 2 , DEEPIKA JENA 2 AND SANTWANA PALAI 1 1 *Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, 2 Department of Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar‐75ͳͲͲ3, Odisha. Email: mohantyipsita8@gmail.com Received: 15 Feb 2014, Revised and Accepted: 30 Apr 2014 ABSTRACT Cow is equated to mother in the Indian tradition and her urine panacea of all diseases. Cow urine is a divine medicine and is used for treatment of diabetes, blood pressure, asthma, psoriasis, eczema, heart attack, blockage in arteries, fits, cancer, AIDS, piles, prostrate, arthritis, migraine, thyroid, ulcer, acidity, constipation, gynaecological problems it is also used as bio-enhancer, increase the nitrogen content of the soil, for better rearing of honey bees, hasten the pubertal age of the heifers exposed to bullǯs urine and as pesticide and larvicide for the fodder crops. Cow urine contains all substances, which are naturally present in the human body. Thus, consumption of cow urine maintains the balance of these substances and this helps cure incurable diseases. It is natural, eco-friendly with no residual effects, economical and easily available, hence can be harnessed as potential therapeutic agent. Keywords: Cow urine, panchagawya, traditional medicine, Cow Urine Therapy. INTRODUCTION ǮThe cowǯ is a mobile medical dispensary and cow urine is a panacea of all diseases [1]. The cow urine, one of the ingredients of ǮPanchagawyaǯ is capable of treating many curable as well as incurable diseases and has been used extensively in ayurvedic preparations since time immemorial as cited in ancient holy texts like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Vridhabhagabhatt, Atharva Veda, Bhavaprakash, Rajni Ghuntu, Amritasagar, etc [2]. A lots of research has been conducted in Cow Urine Treatment and Research Center, 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, prostrate, fits, AIDS, piles, migraine, ulcer, acidity, constipation, gynecological problems, ear and nose problems and several other diseases [3]. The use of cow urine in India can be traced back to the Vedic and probably prevedic period also. Cow urine as such has been most widely referred, used and venerated animal urine owing to its immense therapeutic speciality. While externally it has been used as lotion, ointments and bath, but, internally it has been used in preparation of oral medications and drinks. There is existences of innumerable instances in various ancient medical texts of the curative properties of cow urine for a horde of human ailments. In ancient Indian system of medicine, urine of cow was accepted, used almost as a broad spectrum antibiotic quite akin to that of twenty first century. The cow urine not only used against ailments of diseases as therapeutic agents but also have several other uses as in agriculture and sericulture sectors. So this article attempts to bring forth the diversified use of this heretical potion as was in vogue in ancient Indian system of medicine as gleaned from the ancient medical texts and current scientific findings. Biochemical analysis of cow urine The biochemical estimation of cow urine has shown that it contains sodium, nitrogen, sulphur, Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, minerals, manganese, iron, silicon, chlorine, magnesium, citric, succinic, calcium salts, phosphate, lactose, carbolic acid, enzymes, creatinine and hormones [3]. Any deficiency or excess of these substances inside the body causes disorders. Cow urine contains all of these substances with having a balanced proximate composition. Therefore, consumption of cow urine restores the balance of these substances and thus helps in curing from incurable diseases. Experimentally it has been concluded that fractions of cow urine obtained by solvent extraction possess antimicrobial activity due to presence of aforesaid components those are solely responsible for the action [4]. It has again been observed that cow urine enhances the phagocytic activity of macrophages and thus helpful against bacterial infections. It also facilitates the synthesis of interleukin-1 and interleukin-2 [5, 6], augments B- and T-lymphocyte blastogenesis, and IgA, IgM and IgG antibody titers [7]. Traditional uses of cow urine Cow urine is believed to have therapeutic value and used in many drug formulations. Essentially, cow urine is used as disinfectant and for purification. With an approximate shelf life of around 5 years, this can prove to be the most effective natural antiseptic and disinfectant, when compared to the synthetic chemicals those are currently available to the consumers [7]. Thus, i t strengthens the fact that cowǯs urine is not a toxic effluent as 95% of its content being water, 2.5% urea and the remaining 2.5%, a mixture of minerals, salts, hormones and enzymes [8]. In the rural villages in India, cowǯs urine is being used since a very long time as an effective antiseptic for wounds, skin diseases, bathing, etc [7]. Ancient Indian Vedic Scriptures including Manu Smriti, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita and present day researchers have quoted that rational use of this animal product eliminates any non-functionality of respiratory systems, hepato-gastro-intestinal systems, cardiovascular systems, cancer and many others [9, 10]. Traditional uses of cow urine as medicine alone or with certain synergistic drugs has been described in Table 1 [3, 11]. Table 1: Traditional uses of cow urine and drugs used with cow urine Diseases Constituents of gomutra along with adjuvant Fever Urine, Pepper, Curd, Ghee Leprosy Dhruhardi, Urine Deformation condition in leprosy Nimbuchal, Urine Chronic leprosy Vasaka leaves, Kuraila bark, Kaner leaves, Neem bark, Urine Epilepsy Neem bark, Somapada bark, Mustard oil, Urine Anemia (Pandu) a) cow milk, urine, tripala b) loh bhasma, urine, milk International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN- 0975-1491 Vol 6, Issue 3, 2014 Innovare Academic Sciences