Cowpathy & Human Health

Abstract

Cows are intelligent, emotional, and affectionate creatures which form strong social bonds within their herd and with humans. Cows show their affection with cute and friendly behavior much like a dog would, for example by following you around, licking you, and letting you pet them. According to research, cows are generally quite intelligent animals who can remember things for a long time. Animal behavior scientists have found that they interact in socially complex ways, developing friendships over time and sometimes holding grudges against other cows who treat them badly. Its a positive energy exchange. The person cuddling the cow becomes relaxed by being next to the cows warmer body and sometimes even manages to follow their heartbeat. Its a win-win situation and great experience for both. When cows are happy, they sprint around and jump into the air with excitement. Cows love to be petted, stroked, and scratched behind the ears. They are very loving and welcome interactions with kind people. Indigenous cow is considered as sacred in Indian literature because its products like urine, dung, milk, curd and butter has many wonderful medicinal properties. Among these products cow urine has recently caught the attention of the researchers and a lot of work is going on its medicinal properties. Cow urine is found to have bioenhancing properties, i.e. it adds to the effect of antibiotics when used in combination. It is can be used as an alternative to the antibiotics in feed additives. Cow urine has antioxidant properties; it can prevent the damage to DNA caused by the environmental stress. It has been found to be a very good immunoen-hancer. And interestingly these properties have been found only in the urine of indigenous cow not in the urine of other species like buffalo, goat or not even in cross bred cows. Indigenous cow urine distillate from Badri cow, Gangatiri cow, Sahiwal cow and Gir cow showed promising results on immunomodulation in in vivo experiments carried out in mice, rats and rabbits. All parameters of immunity including total leucocyte count, absolute lymphocyte count, absolute neutrophil count, serum proteins, serum globulins, serum gammaglobulins,, serum IgG titer, B- and Tlymphocyte blastogenesis assays, DTH reaction, macrophage function assays, gross and histopathological examination of lymphoid organs were indicative of immunomodulatory effects of cow urine distillate. Even in another experiments, it has been observed that the cow urine distillate also minimizes the harmful effects of pesticides and restored the proper immune functions. During the past few years, cow urine therapy has provided promising and authentic results for the treatment of cancer, a deadly malady which is being faced by the mankind and the incidences of which are ever increasing in the current scenario of changed lifestyle and food habits along with exposure to predisposing factors of carcinogens such as tobacco chewing, smoking, alcohol intake, environmental pollutants, occupational health hazards etc. Anti-cancer potential of cow urine therapy has been reflected by several case reports, success stories and practical feedback of patients for the treatment of cancer. Considering the importance it is planned to prepare a document based on research work carried out in by the scientists of various institutes/ universities in India in the form of a book with guidelines to the future research possibilities and priorities in order to achieve the goal of one health. An attempt has been made in this direction leading to the development of this book on “COWPATHY AND HUMAN HEALTH” in which papers from different scientists, NGOs and marketing professionals were included. In our opinion this book will serve as a reference to all the young scientists for their future endeavors. Also it will be useful to the gaushala managers, panchgavya professionals, manufacturing units, marketing professionals, teachers, and students in their programmes. In spite of all precautions and correctness, a human factor of error always remain, for which we will welcome your comments/corrections and will try to overcome in next edition of the book. The grants received from Animal Welfare Board of India and Go Thirth Ashram is thankfully acknowledged.