Potential benefits and therapeutic applications of "Panchgavya" therapy (Cowpathy) for human and animal health: Current scientific knowledge
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18006/2023.11(3).520.533Keywords:
Cowpathy, Panchgavya, Cow urine, Milk, Dung, Ghee, Curd, Human health and diseasesAbstract
Cow's milk, urine, dung, ghee, and curd (together known as "Panchgavya") have incomparable medicinal value in Ayurveda and ancient Indian clinical methods. Panchgavya is also known as Cowpathy in Ayurveda. In India, the cow is revered as a goddess known as "Gaumata" because of its nurturing qualities similar to those of a mother. Almost no adverse effects are associated with using Panchgavya, which is why it is recommended in Ayurveda for treating disorders affecting numerous body systems. Its possible antimicrobial effects have piqued the curiosity of medical researchers and practitioners. Cow milk is widely regarded as a nutritious diet and has been shown to effectively treat various medical conditions, including high body temperature, pain, cancer, diabetes, kidney diseases, and weakness. Milk can prevent the growth of microorganisms, has erotic qualities when combined with the leaves of medicinal herbs, and the fat in milk has anticancer characteristics. Toned and skim milk, lassi, yoghurt, cottage cheese, and khoa all come from milk and have important medicinal characteristics. Curd (dahi) is recommended as a blood purifier for conditions such as hemorrhoids, piles, and gastrointestinal issues. Ghee made from cows has been shown to boost immunity. It is important to highlight the use of cow dung as an antifungal and for treating malaria and tuberculosis. It has the potential to aid in the development of a populace free from disease, the creation of sustainable energy systems, the fulfilment of all nutritional needs, the elimination of poverty, the promotion of organic farming culture, and the like. Cow urine is a powerful remedy for numerous medical conditions, including but not limited to epileptic convulsions, diabetes, hepatitis, inflammation, fever, and anaemia. The current review article explores how the Panchgavya ingredients can be employed to safeguard human and animal health.
References
Anand, T.S., Vahab, H., Chandran, D., Shanavas, A., Kumar, M., Nainu, F., Bagath, M., Mohankumar, P., Mohapatra, R.K., Chakraborty, S., & Alagawany, M. (2022). Dairy waste management: A narrative review on current knowledge. The Indian Veterinary Journal, 99(8), 7-19.
Arumugam, D.G., Sivaji, S., Dhandapani, K.V., Nookala, S., & Ranganathan, B. (2019). Panchagavya mediated copper nanoparticles synthesis, characterization and evaluating cytotoxicity in brine shrimp. Biocatalysts in Agricultural Biotechnology, 19, 101132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2019.101132
Bajaj, K.K., Chavhan, V., Raut, N.A., & Gurav, S. (2022). Panchgavya: A precious gift to humankind. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 13, 100525. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jaim.2021.09.003
Biyani, D.M., Verma, P.R.P., Dorle, A.K., & Boxey, V. (2011). Wound healing activity of cow ghee: a veterinary case report. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v2i3.71.
Borgohain, L., Borgohain, H., Konwar, B., Dutta, A.K., & Panging, U. (2020). Panchagavya: A multidimensional review article through the lens of an agriculture scholar. Asian Soil Research Journal, 3(4), 32-38.
Chandra, M.S., Naresh, R.K., Lavanya, N., Varsha, N., Chand, S.W., Chandana, P., Kumar, B.N., Kumar, R., & Navsare, R.I. (2019). Production and potential of ancient liquid organics panchagavya and kunapajala to improve soil health and crop productivity: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 8(6), 702-713.
Chandran, D. (2021). Veterinary phytomedicine in India: A review. International Journal of Scientific Research in Science & Technology, 8(3), 598-605.
Chandran, D., Rojan, P.M., Venkatachalapathy, T., & Lejaniya, A.S. (2021a). Mortality and morbidity pattern in goats under organized farm conditions of Kerala. Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 52(2): 175-179. https://doi.org/10.51966/ jvas.2021.52.2.178-182
Chandran, D., Lejaniya, A.S., Yatoo, M.I., Mohapatra, R.K., & Dhama, K. (2021b). Major Health Effects of Casein and Whey Proteins Present in Cow Milk: A Narrative Review. The Indian Veterinary Journal, 98(11), 9-19.
Chinnadurai, K., Kanwal, H.K., Tyagi, A.K., Stanton, C., & Ross, P. (2013). High conjugated linoleic acid enriched ghee (clarified butter) increases the antioxidant and antiatherogenic potency in female Wistar rats. Lipids in Health and Disease, 12, 121. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-511X-12-121
Cimmino, F., Catapano, A., Villano, I., Di Maio, G., Petrella, L., Traina, G., Pizzella, A., Tudisco, R., & Cavaliere, G. (2023). Invited review: Human, cow, and donkey milk comparison: Focus on metabolic effects. Journal of Dairy Science, 106(5), 3072-3085. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22465
Dhama, K., Rathore, R., Chauhan, R.S., & Tomar, S. (2005a). Panchgavya (Cowpathy): An overview. International Journal of Cow Science, 1(1), 1-15.
Dhama, K., Chauhan, R.S., & Singhal, L.K. (2005b). Anticancer Activity of Cow Urine: Current Status and Future Directions. International Journal of Cow Science, 1(2): 1-25.
Dhama, K., Khurana, S.K., Karthik, K., Tiwari, R., Malik, Y.P.S., & Chauhan, R.S. (2014). Panchgavya: Immune-enhancing and therapeutic perspectives. Journal of Immunology and Immunopathology, 16, 1-11 https://doi.org/10.5958/0973-9149.2014.01071.5.
Dhama, K., Saminathan, M., Jacob, S.S., Singh, M., Karthik, K., Amarpal, Tiwari, R., Sunkara, L.T., Malik, Y.S., & Singh, R.K. (2015). Effect of immunomodulation and immunomodulatory agents on health with some bioactive principles, modes of action and potent biomedical applications. International Journal of Pharmacology, 11(4): 253-290. DOI: 10.3923/ijp.2015.253.290
Ganesh, P. (2021). All about Panchagavya for human usage–A review. Indian Journal of Natural Sciences, 11(64), 29173-29181.
González, L.A., Kyriazakis, I., & Tedeschi, L.O. (2018). Review: Precision nutrition of ruminants: approaches, challenges and potential gains. Animal, 12(s2), s246-s261. https://doi.org/10.1017/ S1751731118002288
Govarthanan, M., Selvankumar, T., Manoharan, K., Rathika, R., Shanthi, K., & Lee, K.J. (2014). Biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using panchakavya, an Indian traditional farming formulating agent. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 9, 1593e9. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S58932
Jain, P., Sharma, R.C., Bhattacharyya, P., & Banik, P. (2014). Effect of new organic supplement (Panchgavya) on seed germination and soil quality. Environmental Monitory Assessment, 186(4), 1999-2011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3513-8
Joshi, K.S. (2014). Docosahexaenoic acid content is significantly higher in ghrita prepared by traditional Ayurvedic method. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 5(2), 85–88. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.131730
Joshi, T., Kuchewar, V., & Chhabra, A. (2022). Multidimensional use of cow urine (Gomutra), one of the ingredients of Panchagavya–A narrative review. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 13(3), 606-612.
Kamei, D., Singh, A.U., & Gangmei, G. (2022). Effect of storage of botanical extracts and modified Panchagavya against radial Growth of Fusarium oxysporum. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 13(2), 219-224. https://doi.org/10.30574/ wjarr.2022.13.2.0110
Kaushik, R., Jain, J., & Rai, P. (2016). Therapeutic potentials of cow derived products-a review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 7(4), 1383. https://doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.7(4).1383-90
Khan, M.Y., Roy, M., Saroj, B.K., Dubey, S., & Sharma, V.K. (2015). A Review-Benefits of Panchgavya therapy (Cowpathy) for health of humans. Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Science, 5(2), 115-125.
Dhama, K., Sandip, C., & Ruchi, T. (2013). Panchgavya therapy (Cowpathy) in safeguarding health of animals and humans-a review. Research Opinions in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 3(6), 170-178.
Kulkarni, S.K. (2009). Hand book of experimental pharmacology. 3rd edition. Vallabh Prakashan, New Delhi.
Kumar, K., Verma, G., Veer, R., Kumar, S., & Kumar, P. (2020). Exploitation of Panchagavya, benefits and eco-friendly management of plant diseases: A review. Journal of Entomology & Zoologic Studies, 8, 2360-2364.
Kumar, M., Tomar, M., Punia, S., Dhakane-Lad, J., Dhumal, S., Changan, S., Senapathy, M., Berwal, M.K., Sampathrajan, V., Sayed, A.A., & Chandran, D. (2022). Plant-based proteins and their multifaceted industrial applications. Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft & Technologie, 154, 112620. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.lwt.2021.112620
Kumari, N., Kumar, M., Mekhemar, M., Lorenzo, J.M., Pundir, A., Devi, K.B., Prakash, S., Puri, S., Thakur, M., Rathour, S., & Rais, N. (2022). Therapeutic uses of wild plant species used by rural inhabitants of Kangra in the western Himalayan region. South African Journal of Botany, 148, 415-436. https://doi.org/10.3390/ horticulturae7100343
Lejaniya, A.S., Chandran, D., Venkatachalapathy, T., Bashir, B.P., Kumar, M., Shanavas, A., Sureshkumar, R., Kumar, P.N., Sabareeshwari, V., Kumar, K.K., & Mohankumar, P. (2021a). Analysis of milk production performance of Attappadi Black, Malabari and cross-bred goats under organized farm conditions of Kerala. The Indian Veterinary Journal, 98(05), 13-19.
Lejaniya, A.S., Chandran, D., & Geetha, R. (2021b). Recent trends in application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in dairy and biomedical industry: A critical review. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 10(12), 577-591. https://doi.org/10.20959/wjpr202112-21749
Mahajan, S.P., Chavan, S.A., Shinde, S.A., & Narkhede, M.B. (2020). Miraculous benefits of cow urine: A review. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 10(4-s), 275-281.
Meena, M., Patel, P., Saini, S., Gurjar, T., Gogoi, R., & Meena, O.P. (2019). Gomutra (cow urine) and its uses: An overview. Journal of Entomology & Zoologic Studies, 7, 1218-1222.
Mor, S., Sharma, V., Arora, S., & Minz, P.S. (2022). Physico-chemical and color parameters to distinguish cow ghee from buffalo ghee. Journal of Food Science & Technology, 59(8), 3231-3236. doi: 10.1007/s13197-022-05496-z
Mulik, S.S., & Bhusari, D.P. (2013). Conceptual study of goghrita eye drops (aschyotana) in computer vision syndrome. Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(3), 1-6.
Nandanwar, R., Gurjar, H., Sahu, V.K., & Saraf, H. (2010). Studies on wound healing activity of gel formulation containing cow ghee and Aloe vera. International Journal of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 1(3), 50-54.
Pal, S., & Patel, N. (2020). Importance of soil microbes on panchagavya based fertilizer for sustainable agriculture: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 9(3), 2277-2284.
Patange, D.D.D., Virshasen Vinayak, D., Chandran, D., Kumar, M., & Lorenzo, J.M. (2022a). Comparative effect of cooling on the physico-chemical-sensory properties of ghee from cow and buffalo milk, and evaluation of the low-fat spread prepared from cow and buffalo milk ghee. Food Analytical Methods, 15, 2513–2523. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-022-02312-4
Patange, D.D., Pansare, K.S., Kumar, M., Kumari, A., Kamble, D.K., Chandran, D., Gaikwad, N.B., Waghmare, R., & Lorenzo, J.M. (2022b). Studies on utilization and shelf life of Piper betel leaves added ghee-based low-fat spread. Food Analytical Methods, 16, 143–154. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-022-02400-5
Pereira, P.C. (2014). Milk nutritional composition and its role in human health. Nutrition, 30(6), 619-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.nut.2013.10.011
Prakash, P., Kumar, M., Pundir, A., Puri, S., Prakash, S., Kumari, N., Thakur, M., Rathour, S., Jamwal, R., Janjua, S., & Ali, M. (2021a) Documentation of commonly used ethnoveterinary medicines from wild plants of the high mountains in Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh, India. Horticulturae, 7(10), 351. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7100351
Prakash, P., Kumar, M., Kumari, N., Prakash, S., Rathour, S., Thakur, M., Jamwal, R., Janjua, S., Ali, M., Pundir, A., & Puri, S. (2021b) Therapeutic uses of wild plants by rural inhabitants of Maraog region in district Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. Horticulturae, 7(10), 343. https://doi.org/10.3390/ horticulturae7100343
Prasad, A., & Kothari, N. (2021). Cow products: boon to human health and food security. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 54(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-021-03014-5
Rai, S., Rao, P.S., Sharma, V., Pradhan, D., & Singh, R., 2022. Antimicrobial potential of panchagavya formulation from Indian cow breeds. International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, 13(6), 613-621.
Randhawa, G.K., & Sharma, R. (2015). Chemotherapeutic potential of cow urine: A review. Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology, 4(2), 180-186. https://doi.org/10.5455/ jice.2015022210032
Rathi, B., & Khan, M. (2023). Report on international conference: recent advances in Panchagavya research and innovations. Journal of Indian System of Medicine, 11(1), 65.
Raut, A.A., & Vaidya, A.D.B. (2018). Panchgavya and cow products: A trail for the holy grail. Journal of Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine, 9(1), 64-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jaim.2017.12.005
Saleena, L.A.K., Chandran, D., Geetha, R., Radha, R., & Sathian, C.T. (2022a). Optimization and identification of lactic acid bacteria with higher mannitol production Potential. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 56 (1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.18805/IJAR.B-4759
Saleena, L.A.K., Chandran, D., Rayirath, G., Shanavas, A., Rajalingam, S., Vishvanathan, M., Sharun, K., & Dhama, K. (2022b). Development of low-calorie functional yoghurt by incorporating mannitol producing lactic acid bacteria (Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides) in the standard yoghurt culture. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 16(1), 729-736. https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.16.1.78
Sanganal, J.S., Jayakumar, K., Jayaramu, G.M., Tikare, V.P., Paniraj, K.L., & Swetha, R. (2011). Effect of cow urine on wound healing property in Wister Albino Rats. Veterinary World, 4(7), 317-321. https://doi.org/10.5455/vetworld.4.317
Sathiyaraj, S., Suriyakala, G., Babujanarthanam, R., & Kaviyarasu, K. (2022). Therapeutic Importance of Panchagavya. In K. Kasinathan, M.S. Elshikh, D.AA. Al Farraj (Eds) Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion, Biomedical and Environmental
Applications. Materials Horizons: From Nature to Nanomaterials (pp 339-356). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2639-6_16.
Shaikh, S.S., Ukande, M.D., Murthy, K., Shete, R.V., & Solunke, R.S. (2019). Traditional remedies for wound healing: a review. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 9(4-s), 761-764. https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v9i4-s.3263
Tharmaraj, K., Ganesh, P., Kumar, R.S., Anandan, A., & Kolanjinathan, K. (2011). A critical review on Panchagavya-a boon plant growth. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Archives, 2(6), 1611-1614.
Tijare, P., Ambatkar, N., & Tiwari, V. (2020). Clinical improvement in COVID19 patients with timely intervention of Panchagavya medicine: a preliminary finding. International Journal of Pharmacological Research, 10(6), 5449.
Turck, D. (2013). Cow's milk and goat's milk. World Reviews in Nutrition & Diet, 108, 56-62. https://doi.org/10.1159/000351485.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.