Cow dung and urine are some amazing cow by products utilized
in India for thousands of years in various ways.
Economic gains from meat are the basis for the cattle industry, while economic gains from milk are the basis for the dairy industry. However, do not believe that slaughtering is absent in the dairy industry. The dairy farmer has a certain quota of milk he must meet to turn a profit, so he must sell his cows who are not producing their quota of milk. Another economic bottom line for the dairy farmer is the unproductive male progeny of his cows, which he sells to the meat or veal industries. Due to their cruel and unnecessary slaughtering practices, such industries accumulate intensive karmic reactions.
It is possible, however, to develop other cow by products that offer karma free economic gain. Cow dung and urine are some amazing cow by products utilized in India for thousands of years in various ways. Western countries are also recognizing cow dung and urine for their many useful purposes.
ANCIENT TREASURE MODERN DISCOVERY
The Vedic scriptures inform us that the cow and its dung and urine are very valuable:
"The ground becomes purified by smearing with cow dung." Brahma Purana 113. 124
The following qualities are described in Susruta Samhita Stra, which is a five thousand years old Ayurvedic text, in chapter 45 verses 217, 220, and 221. It says that cow urine is bitter, pungent, hot, and easily digestible, strengthens the brain, and cures cough. It is a destroyer of colic, stomach pain, constipation, itching pain, eczema, and mouth diseases. It destroys Vitiligo, Leucoderma, and Leprosy. It cures eye diseases. It cures Ameobiosis, dysentery, diarrhea, all problems due to gas, cough, swelling, stomach diseases, and is antibiotic. In addition, it cures jaundice, spleen enlargement, ear diseases, asthma, constipation, and anemia.
However, these are quotes from ancient Vedic scriptures. Are the cow by products still potent? Is the value of cow dung and urine just a sentiment and ancient belief or is there any scientific proof of its value?
In a recent lecture given at the Vishwa Gou Sammelan in Hosanagara, India, D. ] ayarama Bhat of Goa University and B. Harishchandra Bhat of Bangalore University explained the bioresource of nutrient and medicine producing fungi contained in cow dung.
Fungi, through a process called succession, decompose cow dung. Cow dung fungi are source of many medicinal and nutritive bio chemicals. They are nonpathogenic and harmless.
Following are some of the medicinal chemicals and their functions found in the fungi: Cyclosporin suppresses the immune system and helps in organ transplants; Acyclic Tricarboxylic acids are antifungal agents, cholesterol lowering, and anti cancer agents; and Benzoquinones are antibacterial and antifungal antibiotics.
Some of the nutraceutical molecules in cow dung: Carotenoids are helpful in the maintenance of visual system and a precursor of Vitamin A; Fumeric acid is used to treat psoriasis; and Pufa, a C-linolinic Acid, facil itates growth of infants.
The Go Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra in Nagpur (www.govigyan.com). India has been conducting scientific research of the properties of cow dung, cow urine, and other Gavyas of Panchagavya. Here are some interesting facts found about cow urine by them: Different types of proteins found in cow urine increase immune power of the human body; cow urine acts on cancer because cow urine contains various antioxidant agents that destroy active iron free radicals from cancer affected body parts. Vitamin C, E, and A are major antioxidants found in cow urine. Apart from these, two constituents found in cow urine, viz. Interpheron protein, and Immullostimulato protein, cure cancer.
"Since ancient times in Ayurveda we find repeated mention of the importance of cows milk, curd, ghee, cow urine and cow dung in the treatment of various human ailments, All these five products obtained from the cow are called Gavya individually and collectively called Panchagavya. Every one of these five products obtained from cow has distinct qualities and have uses for health care, agriculture, and other fields." Go-Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra booklet.
]oint research conducted by the Scientists of Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Central Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratory, and Go-Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra, Nagpur, has resulted in the granting of a US patent for a unique pharmaceutical composition. The research discovered the unique bioenhancing activity in a specific cow urine distillate, which enhances the anti-microbial effects of antibiotic and anti-fungal agents. This contemporary finding is the synergy of Indian traditional wisdom and modern science. The impact of this novel patent will be on reducing the dosage of drugs to get a given therapeutic effect. It will also reduce the cost of treatment and the side effects due to toxicity, according to the details of the research paper.
"Validated by encouraging results in clinical trials on Panchgavya .. . we have opened up a new branch of medical treatment called Panchagavya Ayurvedic System, which is giving promising results." Go-Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra booklet
COW PRODUCTS-POWER AND POTENTIAL
Besides medicinal and nutritional ingredients in cow dung and urine by products, there are also agricultural beneficial ingredients. The Nagpur research activities in collaboration with the National Botanical Research Institute in Lucknow, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, the Central Institute of Cotton Research, Nagpur, and others, concluded that cow urine mixed with Neem leaves and other natural in gredients proved to be successful in eliminating harmful bugs and insects and improving growth in various plant species.
Scientific research such as these supports the statements of the Vedas. Yes, cow dung and urine are beneficial to humans and plants! Why slaughter the cow and bull when they cannot produce milk, but still produce dung and urine? Why not make medicines, fertilizers, pesticides, and tonics or sell the dung and urine to those who are making these products?
These are only some of the practical uses of cow dung and urine. There are others both spiritual and practical. The potential of a vast number of beneficial products made f rom cow dung and urine is t remendous not to mention the energy generated from biogas obtained from cow manure.
"Cow urine and cow dung are uncontaminated, and since the urine and dung of a cow are important, we can just imagine how important this animal is for human civilization. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, directly advocates go-raksya, the protection of cows."
Srila Prabhupada in Srimad Bhagavatam 8.8. 11, purport
Chaya Devl Dasl was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1971. She and her husband Balabhadra Dasa incorporated the International Society for Cow Protection (lSCOWP). Her husband is the ISKCON Minister for Cow Protection and Agriculture. For more information please refer to www. iscowp.org.