Panchgavya: Multidisciplinary Science, Multi Religious Scientists
Explore the scientific research behind Panchgavya, a traditional Indian concoction. Contrary to popular belief, this article reveals contributions from global scientists, including Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians
Before moving on to any further discussion I must say that my quest on Panchgavya science was not primarily to see what the science was, but who the scientists were. Were they all just a fanatical bunch of Hindutvavadis who were bending science to prove their dogma?
They were not. I have found that the references show Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians, mostly based abroad, have also created a veritable treasure of biotechnological research papers. Just to show this, sample this list given according to the Index number allocated to each such paper.
In the reference section of the NIH article, one finds mention of
- Khan M.Y., Roy M., Saroj B.K., Dubey S., Sharma V.K. A Review-(Benefits of Panchgavya therapy);
- Schnürer J., Magnusson J. (Antifungal lactic acid bacteria as biopreservatives);
- Blaser M.J. NY Henry Holt Co; New York: 2014. (Missing microbes); Irvine S.L., Hummelen R., Hekmat S., Looman C W.N., Habbema J.D.F., Reid G. (Probiotic yogurt consumption is associated with an increase of CD4 count among people living with HIV/AIDS J);
- Japanese scientists such as Kadooka Y., Sato M., Imaizumi K., Ogawa A., Ikuyama K., Akai Y., et al. (Regulation of abdominal adiposity by probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055) in adults with obese tendencies);
- Umanu G., Nwachukwu S.C.U., Olasode O.K. (Effects of cow dung on microbial degradation of motor oil in lagoon water);
- and Muslim scientists such as Ananno A.A., Masud M.H., Mahjabeen M., Dabnichki P. (Sustainable bioconversion of waste to value added products. Advances in science, technology & innovation (IEREK Interdisciplinary Series for Sustainable Development) Inamuddin, Khan A., editors. Springer; Cham: 2021.
The list is of a total of 83 papers. And the fact that the majority of scientists whose papers have been referenced are Hindus does not prove the contention of the Leftists that Panchgavya is a matter of Hindu religious fanaticism.
Cow urine is known to induce diuretic action and also acts as a nephroprotective agent. It can also help in weight loss, digestive issues, edema, and reversal effects against various cardiovascular and kidney diseases, (RS Chauhan). Cow urine composition is 95% water, 2.5% urea, and the rest 2.5% includes components like enzymes, hormones, salts, and minerals (Minocheherhomji F.P.)
Benefits Proved
I have personally read many of the papers mentioned in the list and there emerges a long range of benefits. Of these, no one disputes the benefits of milk and ghee, so I shall leave these out of the discussion. Especially the latter originated in India and has no direct English name for it, barring such mentions as “sort of clarified butter”.
I shall specifically deal with papers relating to the much-ridiculed cow dung and cow urine, as well as the less reviled curd.
The NIH article first takes each of the five products and mentions their benefits, before moving on to how the fermented mixture works on various biological systems. I am just taking the seminal findings, or else this article shall become an encyclopedia.
Cow Dung
It is rich in several beneficial microbes like Saccharomyces, Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Candida, etc. It also contains various nutritional components, including minerals, vitamins, potassium, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, cellulose, hemicellulose, mucus, and lignin. Cow dung is used to degrade waste generated from the city and hospitals due to the abundance of different micro-organisms beneficial for waste degradation (Umanu G., Nwachukwu S.C.U., Olasode O.K.)
Recently, cow dung-based mosquito repellents have been among the best alternatives for synthetic mosquito repellants. (Palanisami S., Natarajan E., Rajamma R.) Cow dung-based toothpaste protects against oral pathogens and improves oral health. The use of cow dung can restrict the development of such fungal issues due to Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Basak A.B., Lee M.W., Lee T.S.)
Cow dung has demonstrated that it can kill the malarial parasite and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The anti-fungal activity can be observed against Corprophilous fungi (Tuthill D.E., Frisvad J.C.)
Cow dung is used to degrade waste generated from the city and hospitals due to the abundance of different micro-organisms beneficial for waste degradation (Umanu G., Nwachukwu S.C.U., Olasode O.K.) Recently, cow dung-based mosquito repellents have been among the best alternatives for synthetic mosquito repellants. (Palanisami S., Natarajan E., Rajamma R.)
Cow Urine
It was the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, and later scientists in India who first demonstrated the antineoplastic, anti-fungal, antibiotic, and bio-enhancing effects of cow urine distillate. (Gurav N., Gurav S., Wanjari M., Prasad S., Wayal S., Rarokar N. Development and evaluation of the aphrodisiac potential of a classical ayurvedic formulation, ‘Kaamdev ghrita’ in rat model.).
The use of bioactive fraction from cow urine distillate (‘go-mutra’) as a bio-enhancer of anti-infective, anti-cancer agents and nutrients was also established (Khanuja S.P.S., Kumar S., Shasany A.K., Arya J.S., Darokar M.P., Singh M., et al. 2005.)
Cow urine is known to induce diuretic action and also acts as a nephroprotective agent. It can also help in weight loss, digestive issues, edema, and reversal effects against various cardiovascular and kidney diseases, (RS Chauhan).
Cow urine composition is 95% water, 2.5% urea, and the rest 2.5% includes components like enzymes, hormones, salts, and minerals (Minocheherhomji F.P.)
Cow urine was analysed and callfor analgesic activity in rats of both sexes (150–200 g) using the rat tail immersion test and Diclofenac Sodium (50 mg/kg, oral) as a reference standard.
The analgesic effect of cow urine has been demonstrated and is due to steroidal constituents and volatile fatty acids, which were confirmed using sophisticated analytical techniques in other studies.
Ayurveda recommends using cow urine for pain relief, and the study served as scientific evidence for its acceptance in the modern world. (Wate S.P., Duragkar N.J., Tajne M.R., Jadhav S.S.).
The analgesic effect of cow urine has been demonstrated and is due to steroidal constituents and volatile fatty acids, which were confirmed using sophisticated analytical techniques in other studies.
Curd
Curd contains several nutrients and micronutrients, including water, proteins, vitamins like A, B, D, and E; minerals like calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, etc.
Probiotics present in curd help in strengthening the immune system and digestive system, whereas various minerals, vitamins, and proteins in curd help fight against multiple pathogens, including HIV. (Irvine S.L., Hummelen R., Hekmat S., Looman C W.N., Habbema J.D.F., Reid G.)
Curd also acts as a blood purifier (Dhama K., Khurana S.K., Karthik K., Tiwari R., Malik Y.P.S., Chauhan R.S.) and helps in lowering the total cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins, thus, preventing the risk of obesity (Kadooka Y., Sato M., Imaizumi K., Ogawa A., Ikuyama K., Akai Y., et al.)
Panchgavya improves soil fertility by increasing organic matter, macro and micronutrient levels, and the uptake of nutrients in plants, promoting the growth and reproduction of micro-organisms and maintaining good soil health. (Beaulah A.)
The spraying of Panchgavya on leaves results in the production of invariably bigger leaves and denser canopy; and enhances photosynthetic material, which results in the maximum production of metabolites and photosynthates (Katyal V., Gangwar K.S., Gangwar B.)
It also develops side shoots from the trunk carrying the maximum number of fruits to maturity; rich and high branching; rich and dense roots grow in deeper soil layers. Furthermore, it helps plants and crops remain fresh for a longer time with a high intake of nutrients and water (Kaushik S.K., Gautam R.C.)
Panchgavya helps in the production of synthetic pesticide-free food. It also maintains and restores crop production levels when the field changes from inorganic to organic farming practices within a year.
It enhances the shelf-life, and taste of fruits, grains, and vegetables and yields better and safer quality food products. Moreover, it improves crop harvest by 15 days and reduces crop production costs by decreasing the expenses on chemicals, thereby increasing the profit margin.
Nanotechnology and Panchgavya
What is now being seen is even more surprising. Panchgavya has use even in nanotechnology. Arumugam et al. synthesized Panchgavya mediated copper nanoparticles using Panchgavya filtrate and copper sulphate solution (25 mM) as substrate. (Arumugam D.G., Sivaji S., Dhandapani K.V., Nookala S., Ranganathan B. Panchgavya)
Govarthanan et al. synthesized silver nanoparticles using 4 ml of Panchgavya filtrate in 96 ml of 1 mM AgNO3 solution. The prepared nanoparticles were characterised and demonstrated concentration-dependent anti-microbial activity against antibiotic-resistant bacterial species (sp) such as Aeromonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., and Citrobacter sp
Clear Case
Look at the various aspects of the stuff that has been researched. This proves beyond doubt that Panchgavya is indeed an issue in science.
The point between the fanatical sale of cow urine and the actual science of Panchgavya is that these five products of the cow have to be put under a process.
A specific amount of each product has to be mixed in a specific volume of water and kept aside, to be stirred once every morning and evening for nine days.
T Shivakumar has published a research paper in another peer-reviewed journal, International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences that not only describes the process but measures the efficacy of the product.
It is from this point on that we have to take the research forward on whether the Panchgavya is scalable for use in mass production of food. The usual argument against organics is it is good for small-scale use but cannot be taken out to make a mass product.
I am sure it can be because if the Japanese can take cow dung, innovate, and make that into cryogenic fuel, then technological innovation to use Panchgavya as a scalable product becomes a policy imperative for India; much beyond either Leftist or Rightist fanaticism.
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