Cowpathy

Dear readers,

It gives me immense pleasure to present Volume 11, Issue 2, for the trimester April to June 2021. I take this opportunity to profusely thank the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and all its officials, especially the Honourable Vice Chancellor, Dr. S. Sacchidanand and Director, Prasaranga, Dr.B.J. Mahendra, without whom I would not have begun this journey in June 2019 with a coveted assignment for 2 years.  I am extremely thankful to the Editor, Dr. Ramakrishna Shabaraya, and all the Editorial Board members, as well all the contributors, readers and wellwishers. The journal started its journey in 2010 and was received gloriously when I was part of the Editorial Board for 3 years. However, in 2015 after publication of the first issue with 2 articles, the Journal came to a grinding halt. In 2019, efforts were made by the stake holders to revive and I was offered the Editor-in-chief position with the responsibility to re-establish the Journal. Initially, acquiring issues released in 2015 appeared to be a Herculean task. However, with the support of officials and the entire Editorial team, frequent brainstorming sessions and efforts succeeded, and results are for all to see. Not only were the older issues brought out, but current issues were also simultaneously released. I am extremely contended and happy while completing my term in June 2021.

I had promised that I would speak about cowpathy and I had written about it several times in the past. Important information and aspects of cowpathy are voluminous and to explore this area, I am writing about it. Cowpathy is nothing but leading a healthy lifestyle in the company of cows. Sounds orthodox? Too much? Irrelevant? Out of the box? Of course, it was closed in the box since long time for various reasons. Indian cows enjoy the unique reputation of motherhood and the letdown products are considered healthy and aid in the prevention of diseases and sustenance of life. We all are aware of milk and milk products, curds, butter, clarified butter (ghee) but there are other products such as cow dung, urine etc., that are of great importance besides their application in formulations that are created using these ingredients. Milk from other animals such as camel, sheep, donkey, and human urine for autotherapy are also considered to have certain medicinal properties, however they do not have the uniqueness of cows. I will give only a bird’s eye view on it as it is not possible to cover everything in an editorial. Also, huge information is available in the form of ancient texts, books and on the internet. Currently, in America, the corona virus pandemic has led to anxiety and stress related complications, a trend is being observed where people are embracing the cow to stay calm and happy. This costs them around 1200-1500 rupees per hour! Of course, it is not new to us and is free in our country.

Cow urine is considered as panacea and literature claims that, it is useful in psoriasis, diabetes, hypertension, eczema, heart attack, acidity, ulcer, constipation, menstrual problem, piles, cancer, arthritis, thyroid, prostate, burns, and many more. The cow urine contains most of the needed micro elements for human beings, thus using it helps to balance the required trace minerals and other agents to make life healthy and cure incurable diseases. Biochemical analysis of urine shows the presence of sodium, sulfur, nitrogen, minerals, vitamin A, B, C, D, E, manganese, silicon, iron, chlorine, enzymes, magnesium, succinic acid, citric acid, phosphates, calcium salts, carbolic acid, creatinine, lactose, hormones etc. Cow urine also promotes phagocytic activity to fight against bacterial infections, synthesis of interleukin 1 and 2, immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, T-lymphocytes and thereby promoting immunity.

Cow urine has diverse uses in agriculture as fertilizer and pesticide. It is also used as a bioenhancer to fix nitrogen levels of soil, as antibacterial, anthelmintic, antifungal, and larvicidal for fodder crops.

The cow dung is used as a fertilizer, fumigating agent to avoid mosquitoes, insects and other harmful organisms and as fuel for smearing homes/veranda. Cow dung possesses antiseptic, and disease preventive properties and it is also a skin tonic. When mixed with crushed neem leaves and smeared on skin, it is known to treat boils and heat rashes. Cow dung is also used as tooth polish and relieves toothache. Fresh cow dung is known to be effective in the treatment of malaria and tuberculosis. Smoke from ashes is claimed to increase the strength of our eyelids by increasing the frequency of closing eyes to facilitate tear production which results in improved vision. Orthodox people apply it on their body while bathing. Dried cow dung is also an excellent fuel and can incinerate the dead completely without the need for wood.

Curd from cow’s milk is considered a “vata nashak”, blood purifier, “tridosha nashak” and found useful in “pittha (bile-related)”, blood disorders, piles and gastrointestinal disorders as per Ayurveda. Curd is an efficient probiotic with potential to control infections without allopathic intervention. Curd (dahi) or matha (whey or buttermilk) is considered to provide nutrition, aid digestion and treats various gastrointestinal ailments by checking or controlling the growth of harmful organisms. Lactic acid producing bacteria are present in curd and buttermilk and these organisms produce antifungal metabolites such as cyclic dipeptides, phenyl lactic acid as well as proteinaceous compounds and 3-hydroxylated fatty acids.

Literature on cow ghee indicates that the butter fat obtained from cow’s milk has been claimed to have many medicinal properties such as cooling, rejuvenating, bestowing luster and beauty, enhancing memory and stamina, increasing intellect and promoting longevity. It is an aphrodisiac and protects the body from various diseases. Both ghee and butter are excellent media for mixing drugs to be used both externally as well internally including sciatica, piles, skin diseases, etc.

Other formulations such as panchagavya are useful in epilepsy, stress and as nootropic. Further fine details are also available about the milk of different colored cows (black, white, brown etc.) possessing potential treatments specific to an imbalance or disorder. In various austerity owes like ‘payovrata’ people live only on cow’s milk for more than a month. In jaundice, milk is either used as it is or with some herbs. Milk with turmeric (milk latte) is a popular drink even in the Western countries.

Besides, various mouth-watering, soul-satisfying, yummy, sweet dishes are prepared with milk, curd, butter, ghee and my pranams to this holy cow.