A Review-Benefits of Panchgavya therapy (Cowpathy) for health of humans

Abstract

Panchgavya is a term used to describe five major substances, obtained from cow, which include cow's urine, milk, ghee, curd and dung. All the five products possess medicinal properties against many disorders and are used for the medicinal purpose singly or in combination with some other herbs. This kind of treatment is called Panchgavya therapy or cowpathy. Panchgavya Therapy has been proposed as an alternate prophylactic and therapeutic approach for sound livestock and poultry health along with safeguarding human health. Its antimicrobial properties have gained the attention of the medical and veterinary professionals. Cow urine concoction (CUC) is having anticonvulsant and hypoglycemic effects; and useful against liver disorders and fever; inflammations and anemia. Cow milk is considered as a healthy food and is found to be effective in curing fever and pain; tumors; diabetes; kidney disorders and weaknesses and importantly act as a medium to administer medicine. Curd (dahi) is a blood purifier, and found useful in blood related problems; piles and gastro-intestinal disorders. Cow ghee has immunostimulatory properties. The application of cow dung to kill the germs of malaria and tuberculosis along with its antifungal properties require special mention. The Panchgavya products also show many other applications viz. excellent agricultural applications in the form of biofertilizers, vermicompost and biopesticides, which improves soil fertility and provide food grains free from the health hazards of using chemical fertilizers/pesticides. A systematic work needs to be carried out on chemical nature, biological activity, microbiology and pharmaceutical aspects and mechanism of bioactive compounds in Panchgavya. In the past due emphasis has not been given to the cow therapy which needs attention of scientific community.