Panchagavya Explained

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, 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

Proponents 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's urine can also be a source of harmful bacteria and infectious diseases, including leptospirosis.[5]

Non-medicinal applications

Panchgavya 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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Of 'cowpathy' & its miracles. 17 August 2016 .
  2. News: India makes cola from cow urine To millions of devout Hindus, it's the real thing: a cola made from the urine of India's sacred cows . The Daily Telegraph . London . Dean . Nelson . 11 February 2009 . 30 April 2010.
  3. News: A cure for cancer – or just a very political animal? . Andrew Buncombe . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/a-cure-for-cancer-ndash-or-just-a-very-political-animal-2031253.html . 24 May 2022 . subscription . live . The Independent . 21 July 2010 . 21 March 2011.
  4. Cow's urine poisoning in Nigeria. Experimental observations in mice. . 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. . 1179485 . 27 . 2 . 1975 . Trop Geogr Med . 194–202 . Oyebola . DD . Elegbe . RA.
  5. Leptospiral carrier state and seroprevalence among animal population – a cross-sectional sample survey in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 2003 . 10.1017/S095026880300880X . Sharma . S. . Vijayachari . P. . Sugunan . A. P. . Sehgal . S. C. . Epidemiology and Infection . 131 . 2 . 985–989 . 14596541 . 2870044 .
  6. http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ijcs&volume=1&issue=1&article=001 Dhama K. et al., Panchgavya (Cowpathy): An Overview, International Journal of Cow Science, 2005:vol 1:issue 1
  7. Book: Arvind Kumar. Environment & agriculture. 25 March 2011. 1 January 2005. APH Publishing. 978-81-7648-921-8. 65–.
  8. News: Modified Panchakavya to boost plant and animal productivity. https://web.archive.org/web/20140326104259/http://www.hindu.com/seta/2003/06/05/stories/2003060500180300.htm. dead. 26 March 2014. 5 June 2003. The Hindu. India.
  9. News: Panchagavya: low cost organic input for both crops and animals. https://web.archive.org/web/20130301030935/http://www.hindu.com/seta/2009/06/04/stories/2009060450161300.htm. dead. 1 March 2013. 4 June 2009. The Hindu. India.
  10. Web site: STUDY ON PANCHAKAVYA - AN INDIGENOUS FORMULATION AND ITS EFFECT ON THE GROWTH PROMOTION OF CROSSBRED PIGS. 2006. INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL RESEARCH. Agricultural Research Communication Centre. 20 May 2013.
  11. News: Kishore Biyani to launch Panchagavya cosmetics and health remedy products in Big Bazaar. Economic times. 16 September 2011. Mumbai, India.

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