In India cow enjoys a unique status and worshiped since the dawn of the Hindu civilization. The ancient literature of Hindu tradition like the Vedas, Upanishads, etc. and the ancient medical science Ayurveda, all have illustrated the uniqueness of Indian cow in terms of its divine powers and nutritional and curative properties of its products.  In India Cow Urine is considered as holy and used in all the religious rituals as a divine cleansing agent for the body and soul of the individuals performing and participating in the rituals.

Ayurveda, the traditional medical science of India, literally meaning ‘Science of Life’, combining the two words, ‘Ayu’ meaning life and ‘Veda’ meaning knowledge. This science treats four domains of life such as the soul, the mind, the body, and the senses through a holistic approach. The Ayurveda makes extensive use of cow products in different formulations used for preventive and curative medicine.  In depth illustrations of cow urine uses in Ayurvedic texts like the Sushrutha Samhitha, Charaka Samhitha, Ashtanga Sangraha, etc. have projected this as the most effective product of animal origin equipped with innumerable therapeutic properties.  Cow urine as medicine enjoys a unique status in Ayurveda as one of the prescriptions for boosting general health. According to Ayurveda cow urine purifies the blood and brings a balance among the Vata, Pitta and Kapha, the thridoshas of the body. Keeping these doshas in harmony establishes the homeostasis of the body as per the treatment strategy of Ayurveda.

Cowpathy, a new domain of natural healing process, which emerged recently, follows most of the treatment regimen described in the Ayurveda involving cow products and is gaining momentum with a Pan-India network of healers and users. This ‘cow urine Ayurveda’ or cowpathy uses raw cow urine, distilled cow urine (Gou Arka)  and Panchagavya as different active ingredients or formulations. They are either used as such or in combination with other natural products like herbal extracts. Many healers and patients authenticate the curative effect of cow urine for a wide range of diseases affecting different bodily systems such as respiratory disorders (asthma), digestive disorders (gastric ulcers, infections, etc.), various cancers, diabetes, infectious diseases and many other ailments. The list of disorders with a history of successful cure through cow urine therapy extends beyond thirty ailments, comprising almost every system of human body. This really supports the belief of ‘Cow Urine as the elixir of life’.

The use of cow urine as medicine has been proved as a miraculous drug for many incurable diseases like cancer, AIDS, diabetes, psoriasis, etc. Several case reports of the success of cow urine therapy are available including those declared terminally ill by the specialized hospitals offering precision treatment to cancer. Currently, several cancer patients opt for cow urine therapy for minimizing the side effects of chemotherapy during cancer treatment. The efficacy of cow urine as a curing agent against infectious diseases and cancer has been proved with modern scientific research carried out by the Indian Scientists. These outcomes have been approved for practical utility through the US patents.

Successful practice by the Cowpathy Practitioners and product manufacturers on a pan-India hub probably can be considered as the time-tested evidence for the competency and positive impact of this treatment approach for diabetes and many other disorders. Hence it is time to nurture and promote this treatment practice from the marginal to the mainstream status. Interestingly, several comparative study reports on the urine and other products of Indian cow breeds with those of other parts of the world have confirmed the superiority of the products of Indian cows in terms of nutritional and medicinal properties. Today the cow urine as medicine in Ayurveda has crossed the borders of India,  as good numbers of overseas users of the product are available today. According to a media report, the cow urine distillate sells for ₹80 to ₹100 ($1.20 to $1.50) a liter, by the Patanjali brand and the organization faces a shortage of supply of this product to meet the market demand.

Other than use of cow urine as medicine in India, there are other applications. The raw cow urine and Panchagaya,  the formulation derived from cow products are being extensively used in agriculture as organic manure and pesticides. The growing popularity of cow urine in critical domains of human need like the healthcare and agriculture would certainly elevate the status of this humble product to a deserving height in the coming days. This would help in bringing prosperity to the lives of cattle farmers as well as the rural small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) making cow urine products.