After photos and videos of people drinking cow urine and applying cow dung on their body went viral, doctors raised objections over its use saying it is not scientifically proven and will increase the chances of spreading other diseases.
The coronavirus has devastated the country, with 22.66 million cases and 246,116 deaths reported so far. As per experts, the value could be five to ten times higher. People are dying due to a lack of medical oxygen, ventilators, beds, vaccines, medicines.
In Gujarat, some people have been going to cow shelters once a week to cover themselves from cow dung and urine in the belief that it will increase their immunity and help them to fight, recover against the coronavirus.
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Under cow dung therapy, people apply the mixture of cow dung and urine on their bodies, wait for it to dry, and practice yoga to boost their energy level. Later, the mixture is removed with milk or buttermilk. They also hug or honor the cows at the cow shelter.
In Hinduism, the cows are worshiped and it is a symbol of the earth as well as life. Through ancient times, Hindus have used cow dung to clean their house and for prayer rituals, having an opinion that it has therapeutic and antiseptic properties.
Gautam Manilal Borisa, associate manager at a pharmaceuticals company, said that this therapy helped him to recover from Covid-19 last year. He further said, “We see… even doctors come here. They believe that this therapy improves their immunity and they can go and tend to patients with no fear.”
Doctors from India and across the world have been repeatedly warned against this practice. They are also concerned that coronavirus could be spread as the therapy includes mass gathering.
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Dr JA Jayalal, National President of Indian Medical Association (IMA) said, “There is no concrete scientific evidence that cow dung or urine work to boost immunity against Covid-19, it is based entirely on belief.”
“There are also health risks involved in smearing or consuming these products – other diseases can spread from the animals to humans.”