Doctors warn against using cow dung for COVID treatment in India mazech.com

Photo: Reuters via LIB

Indian Medical Doctors have warned against the new practice by some Indians of using cow dung to treat coronavirus, stating there is no scientific evidence for its effectiveness and that it risks spreading other diseases.

The coronavirus pandemic has struck a devastating blow on Indians, with 22.66 million cases and 246,116 deaths reported as of May 11.  Experts believe the actual numbers could be five to 10 times higher as Indian residents continue to struggle to find hospital beds, oxygen, or medicines, leaving many to die for lack of treatment.

Photo: Reuters via LIB

Many residents in Gujarat – a state in western India, have been going to cow shelters once a week to cover their bodies in cow dung and urine in the hope it will boost their immunity against, or help them recover from  coronavirus.

“We see … even doctors come here. Their belief is that this therapy improves their immunity and they can go and tend to patients with no fear,” said Gautam Manilal Borisa, an associate manager at a pharmaceuticals company, who said the practice helped him recover from COVID-19 last year.

Photo: Reuters via LIB

According to Reuters, people wait for the dung and urine mixture on their bodies to dry, they hug or honor the cows at the shelter, and practice yoga to boost energy levels. The packs are then washed off with milk or buttermilk.

Photo: Reuters via LIB

Several doctors and scientists in India and around the world have condemned the bizarre practice and repeatedly warned against it, saying they can lead to a false sense of security and complicate health problems.

“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.”

There are also concerns the practice could contribute to the spread of coronavirus as it involved people gathering in groups.