Panchagavya or panchakavyam is a mixture used in traditional Hindu rituals that is prepared by mixing five ingredients. The three direct constituents are cow dung, cow urine, and milk; the two derived products are curd and ghee. These are mixed and then allowed to ferment. The Sanskrit word panchagavya means "five cow-derivatives". When used in Ayurvedic medicine, it is also called cowpathy.[1]
Dangers
editProponents claim that cow urine therapy is capable of curing several diseases, including certain types of cancer, although these claims have no scientific backing.[2][3] In fact, studies concerning ingesting individual components of panchagavya, such as cow urine, have shown no positive benefit, and significant side effects, including convulsion, depressed respiration, and death.[4] Cow urine can also be a source of harmful bacteria and infectious diseases, including leptospirosis.[5]
Non-medicinal applications
editPanchgavya is used as a fertilizer and pesticide in agricultural operations.[6][7] Proponents claim that it is a growth promoter in the poultry diet, that it is capable of increasing the growth of plankton for fish feed,[8] and that it increases the production of milk in cows, increases the weight of pigs, and increases the egg laying capacity of poultry.[9][10] It is sometimes used as a base in cosmetic products.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ramachandran, R. (2 September 2016). "Of 'cowpathy' & its miracles". Frontline. Archived from the original on 24 December 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Nelson, Dean (11 February 2009). "India makes cola from cow urine". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ Buncombe, Andrew (21 July 2010). "A cure for cancer – or just a very political animal?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 22 July 2010. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ^ Oyebola, D. D.; Elegbe, R. A. (June 1975). "Cow's urine poisoning in Nigeria. Experimental observations in mice". Tropical and Geographical Medicine. 27 (2): 194–202. PMID 1179485.
Results of the experiments show that both "cow's urine" and nicotine cause excitement in low doses and cause convulsion and/or death in higher doses. Both also depress respiration.
- ^ Sharma, S.; Vijayachari, P.; Sugunan, A. P.; Sehgal, S. C. (October 2003). "Leptospiral carrier state and seroprevalence among animal population – a cross-sectional sample survey in Andaman and Nicobar Islands". Epidemiology & Infection. 131 (2): 985–989. doi:10.1017/S095026880300880X. PMC 2870044. PMID 14596541.
- ^ Dhama, K.; Rathore, Rajesh; Chauhan, R. S.; Tomar, Simmi (2005). "Panchgavya (Cowpathy): An overview". International Journal of Cow Science. 1 (1): 1–15. ISSN 0973-2241. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Yadav, Birendra Kumar; Lourduraj, A. Christopher (2005). "Use of Panchagavya as a Growth Stimulant and Biopesticide in Agriculture". In Kumar, Arvind (ed.). Environment & Agriculture. New Delhi: APH Publishing. pp. 65–70. ISBN 81-7648-921-2. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ "Modified Panchakavya to boost plant and animal productivity". The Hindu. 5 June 2003. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Prabu, M. J. (4 June 2009). "Panchagavya: low cost organic input for both crops and animals". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 March 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Ganesh Kumar, K.; Kumaravelu, N.; Sivakumar, T.; Gajendran, K. (June 2006). "Study on Panchakavya - An indigenous formulation and its effect on the growth promotion of crossbred pigs" (PDF). Indian Journal of Animal Research. 40 (2): 158–160. ISSN 0367-6722. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Pandey, Pradeep; Malviya, Sagar (16 September 2011). "Kishore Biyani to launch Panchagavya cosmetics and health remedy products in Big Bazaar". The Economic Times. Retrieved 5 November 2024.