Journal of Integrative Health Research

Register      Login

SEARCH WITHIN CONTENT

FIND ARTICLE

Volume / Issue

Online First

Archive
Volume  2 (2025)
Volume  1 (2024)
Related articles

VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 2 ( July-December, 2024 ) > List of Articles

Review

From Tradition to Science: Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Cow Dung in Human Health

Monika Prajapati, Sapna Thakur

Keywords : Cow dung, Health benefits, Natural health agent, Traditional knowledge, Therapeutic potential

Citation Information : Prajapati M, Thakur S. From Tradition to Science: Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Cow Dung in Human Health. 2024; 1 (2):22-33.

DOI: 10.5005/jihr-11055-V1N2-05

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-12-2024

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

The article explores the therapeutic potential of cow dung, a substance traditionally used in various cultures for its medicinal properties. The study aims to bridge traditional knowledge with modern scientific understanding by reviewing the bioactive compounds present in cow dung and their health benefits. Methods involved an extensive literature review of studies on the chemical composition, bioactive components, and pharmacological properties of cow dung. Key bioactive compounds identified include phenols, flavonoids, and sterols, which have demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Results suggest that cow dung has diverse applications in traditional medicine, particularly in wound healing, skin diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders. It also highlights its potential in enhancing immunity and promoting overall health. The review emphasizes the need for further clinical trials to validate the therapeutic claims and understand the mechanisms underlying these health benefits. In conclusion, cow dung, when scientifically studied, shows promise as a natural health agent, supporting traditional medicinal practices with modern evidence. However, more research is necessary to fully harness its potential for human health applications.

PDF Share
PDF Share
  1. Chaudhary S, Bhatia T, Sindhu SS. Sustainable Approach for Management of Organic Waste Agri-residues in Soils for Food Production and Pollution Mitigation. In Environmental Nexus Approach (pp. 355-386). CRC Press.
  2. Kumar, P., Bhattacharya, A., Prajapati, S. K., Malik, A., & Vijay, V. K. (2020). Anaerobic co-digestion of waste microalgal biomass with cattle dung in a pilot-scale reactor: Effect of seasonal variations and long-term stability assessment. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 10(2), 1-3.
  3. Sharma, A., Shandilya, U. K., Sodhi, M., Mohanty, A. K., Jain, P., Mukesh, M. (2019). Evaluation of milk colostrum derived lactoferrin of Sahiwal (Bos indicus) and Karan Fries (cross-bred) cows for its anti-cancerous potential. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20, 6318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20246318.
  4. Patel, V., Singh, K., & Joshi, A. (2022). “Microbial Strains in Cow Dung and Their Role in Immunity Enhancement.” International Journal of Immunology and Microbiology, 21(4), 229-235.
  5. Jadhav, S., Pawar, A., & More, R. (2020). “Cow Dung Ash in Skin Health: A Traditional Remedy Under Scientific Review.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Health, 14(5), 255-261.
  6. Duskova, D., & Marounek, M. (2001). Fermentation of pectin and glucose and activity of pectin-degrading enzymes in the rumen bacterium Lachnospira multiparus. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 33, 159-163. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1472-765X.2001.00970.x
  7. Rajeswari, S., Poongothai, E., & Hemalatha, N. (2016). Antimicrobial activities of cow dung extracts against human pathogens. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research, 8(4), 9-12. https://doi.org/10.22159/ijcpr.2016v8i4.15268
  8. Sharma, A., Shandilya, U. K., Sodhi, M., Mohanty, A. K., Jain, P., Mukesh, M. (2019). Evaluation of milk colostrum derived lactoferrin of Sahiwal (Bos indicus) and Karan Fries (cross-bred) cows for its anti-cancerous potential. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20, 6318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20246318.
  9. Garg, A. K. (2004). Panchagavya ki vyaavsayangita. In Krishi Pathashala Compendium (pp. 50-52). Indian Veterinary Research Institute.
  10. Garg, A. K., & Mudgal, V. (2007). Organic and mineral composition of Gomeya (cow dung) from Desi and crossbred cows: A comparative study. International Journal of Cow Science, 3(1 & 2), 17-19.
  11. Chauhan, R. S., Singh, B. P., & Singhal, L. K. (2001). Immunomodulation with Kamdhenu Ark in mice. Journal of Immunology and Immunopathology, 71, 89-92.
  12. Jain, N. K., Gupta, V. B., Garg, R., & Silawat, N. (2010). Efficacy of cow urine therapy on various cancer patients in Mandsaur District, India: A survey. International Journal of Green Pharmacy, 4(1), 29-35. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-8258.62163
  13. Thenmozhi, S., Mageswari, M., Chinnamani, S., & Sivasuriyan, S. (2018). Antimicrobial activity of animal waste (Jersey cow dung). World Journal of Science and Research, 3(1), 37-41.
  14. Basak, A. B., Lee, M. W., & Lee, T. S. (2002). Inhibitive activity of cow urine and cow dung against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum of cucumber. Mycobiology, 30, 175-179. https://doi.org/10.4489/MYCO.2002.30.3.175
  15. Waziri, M., & Suleiman, J. S. (2013). Analysis of some elements and antimicrobial activity of evaporated extract of cow dung against some pathogens. Journal of Scientific Research, 5, 135-141. https://doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v5i1.11962
  16. Mandavgane, S. A., Pattalwar, V. V., & Kalambe, A. R. (2005). Development of cow dung-based mosquito repellent. Natural Product Radiance, 4(4), 270-273.
  17. Mukherjee, G., & Ghosh, S. (2020). Use of cow dung as mosquito repellent. International Research Journal of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, 3(1), 61-62.
  18. Palanisami, S., Natarajan, E., & Rajamma, R. (2014). Development of eco-friendly herbal mosquito repellent. Jou Sharma, K., Mishra, S., & Dubey, A. (2017). Development of cow dung-based herbal mosquito repellent. Journal of Krishi Vigyan, 6(1), 50-53. https://doi.org/10.5958/2349-4433.2017.00048.4rnal of Innovative Biology, 1(3), 132-136.
  19. Jirankalgikar, N., Nariya, P., & De, S. (2014). In vitro antioxidant activity evaluation and HPTLC profile of cow dung. International Journal of Green Pharmacy, 8, 158-162. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-8258.140172
  20. Jirankalgikar, N. M., Nariya, P. B., Athavale, A. V., & De, S. (2013). Trividha Snehapaka of Panchagavya Ghrita: A critical comparative evaluation. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 4(2), 107-113. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.113887
  21. Pandey, A., & Pawar, M. S. (2015). Assessment of nootropic activity of Panchagavya Ghrita in animal models. International Journal of Scientific Research, 5(8), 1-5.
  22. Bhojraj, N., & Sawarkar, G. (2020). The effect of Panchagavya formulations in the case of CA Rectum. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 11(3), 572-574. https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v11i3.1625
  23. Fidan, F., Unlu, M., Sezer, M., Sahin, O., Tokyol, C., & Esme, H. (2006). Acute effects of environmental tobacco smoke and dried dung smoke on lung histopathology in rabbits. Pathology, 38(1), 53-57. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313020500459615
  24. Nene, Y. L. (1999). Utilizing traditional knowledge in agriculture. In Traditional Knowledge System of India and Sri Lanka (pp. 32-38).
  25. Kumar, N., Reddy, S., & Kapoor, M. (2020). Antimicrobial properties of cow dung microbes for health applications. Journal of Microbial Health Sciences, 8(3), 45-51.
  26. Patel, V., Singh, K., & Joshi, A. (2022). “Microbial Strains in Cow Dung and Their Role in Immunity Enhancement.” International Journal of Immunology and Microbiology, 21(4), 229-235 Rasve, V. R., Paithankar, V. V., Shirsat, M. K., & Dhobale, A. V. (2018). Evaluation of antiulcer activity of Aconitum heterophyllum on experimental animals. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7(2), 819-239.
  27. Talreja, S., & Tiwari, S. (2023). A comprehensive review of Aconitum heterophyllum. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences, 8, 195-201. https://doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.10.31
  28. Chauhan, R. S., & Singhal, L. K. (2006). Harmful effects of pesticides and their control through Cowpathy. International Journal of Cow Science, 2, 61-70.
  29. Rajeswari, S., Poongothai, E., & Hemalatha, N. (2016). Antimicrobial activities of cow dung extracts against human pathogens. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research, 8(4), 9-12.
  30. Jadhav, S., Pawar, A., & More, R. (2020). Cow dung ash in skin health: A traditional remedy under scie Somvanshi, R. (2006). Veterinary medicine and animal keeping in ancient India. Asian Agri-History, 10(2), 133-146.ntific review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Health, 14(5), 255-261.
  31. BBC. (2024, May 25). Cow dung's key role in India's energy industry. Greenstories. https://greenstories.co.in/cow-dungs-key-role-in-indias-energy-industry/
  32. Patil, P. A., Kolekar, M., Koli, V., & Kamble, A. (2019). Evaluation of sun protective formula (SPF) of Indian cow dung as organic sunscreen agent. Research Journal of Topical and Cosmetic Sciences, 10(1)
  33. Patil S, Joshi M. Study of formulations of Shalakya Tantra from Yogashatakam. World J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2017; 6(4):1334-41. https://doi.org/10.20959/wjpps20174-8900
  34. Oyedeji-Amusa MO, Oladele OT, Ashafa AO. Ethnoveterinary survey of tradomedical importance of Bos taurus L urine, bile and dung in Nigeria and South Africa. Trop J Pharm Res. 2016; 15(8):1807-13. https://doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v15i8.30
  35. Thakare A, Ahmad M, Pande K, Metkari S, College DY. Purification of Water by using Cow Dung Ash. Int. J. Eng. Technol. 2019;6(6):393-7.
  36. Kaur K, Mor S, Ravindra K. Removal of chemical oxygen demand from landfill leachate using cow-dung ash as a low-cost adsorbent. Journal of colloid and interface science. 2016 May 1;469:338-43.
  37. P. Mullai, S. Kothainayaki, M. Thenmozhi, R. Nirmala Biosorption of chromium (VI) by Penicillium chrysogenum in batch reactors Int. J. Chem. Sci., 8 (2010), pp. 189-193
  38. Jadhav, S., Pawar, A., & More, R. (2020). “Cow Dung Ash in Skin Health: A Traditional Remedy Under Scientific Review.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Health, 14(5), 255-261.
  39. Murugesan M, Ganesan SK, Ajjampur SSR. Cryptosporidiosis in children in the Indian subcontinent. Trop Parasitol. 2017; 7(1):18-28.
  40. Yaqub KM, Roy M, Kumar SB, Sudhakar D, Kumar SV. A Review- Benefits of Panchgavya therapy (Cowpathy) for health of humans. Asian J Res Pharm Sci. 2015; 5(2):115-25. https://doi.org/10.5958/2231-5659.2015.00019.3
  41. Bennett J, Macia J, Traverso H, et al. Protective effects of topical antimicrobials against neonatal tetanus. Int J Epidemiol. 1997; 26(4):897-903. https://doi. org/10.1093/ije/26.4.897. PMID: 9279625
  42. World Health Organization. Care of the Umbilical Cord, A review of the evidence. Geneva, WHO/RHT/MSM/98.4; 1998. p. 9-18.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.