Drinking cow urine is known to be harmful – so why do people consume it every day in India?

The Telegraph – April 25, 2023

A study by India’s Veterinary Research Institute found cow urine contains harmful bacteria, challenging claims within Ayurveda that it has health benefits. Despite widespread use—about 77 percent of Indians consume Ayurvedic products—the industry faces criticism for poor regulation, exaggerated medical claims, and safety risks, including toxic contaminants. Political backing and nationalist appeal have boosted Ayurveda’s popularity, even during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite controversies. Critics warn that untested products cause serious illnesses and call for stricter regulation to separate genuinely beneficial treatments from harmful practices.

OHT’s Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan advocates for a science-based approach to public healthcare but says this can be paired with the benefits of Ayurveda.

He was quoted by the Telegraph, “There are many medications within Ayurveda that are effective that have been adopted into western medicines,”.

He said, “In terms of Ayurveda, the challenge is subjecting practices and modalities to much more stringent testing and approvals, but many of these protocols remain to be developed… Certainly, there are many hidden gems in Ayurveda but also a lot that are poorly validated and not supported by evidence. Separating what is effective and safe from what is not is the task that lies ahead.”