This archive report was first published on 11 May 2021.
As India grapples with the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 22 million cases and 246,116 deaths reported, some citizens are turning to an unconventional remedy: cow dung.
Believers in the state of Gujarat are visiting cow shelters once a week to cover their bodies in a mixture of cow dung and urine, hoping it will boost their immunity against the coronavirus or aid in recovery.
Proponents of this practice, including Gautam Manilal Borisa, an associate manager at a pharmaceuticals company, claim it has helped them recover from COVID-19. However, doctors and scientists across India and the world have repeatedly warned against alternative treatments for COVID-19, citing a lack of scientific evidence and potential health risks.
‘There is no concrete scientific evidence that cow dung or urine work to boost immunity against COVID-19, it is based entirely on belief,’ said Dr JA Jayalal, national president at the Indian Medical Association.
‘There are also health risks involved in smearing or consuming these products – other diseases can spread from the animal to humans.’
As the practice continues, concerns are growing about its potential to contribute to the spread of the virus, particularly given the gatherings involved.
Source: Reuters, published on May 11, 2021.
