A community in Western India is covering their bodies with cow dung and urine with the belief that it cures COVID-19 disease.
According to the reports, Hindu worshippers in the state of Gujarat in western India are visiting cow farms once a week to cover their bodies in cow dung and urine in the hope that it will boost their immunity against, or help them recover from, the coronavirus.
Increase in coronavirus infections and deaths has spread fear and apprehension throughout India and more people are resorting to alternative therapy in the hope of safety.
But doctors have warned against the unusual and unhealthy practice.
According to doctors, there is no scientific evidence that a mixture of cow dung and urine holds any effect against COVID-19, instead, the practice could expose the group to the risk of acquiring other diseases.
Cow is a sacred symbol of life and the earth in Hinduism, and for centuries Hindus have used cow dung for prayer rituals, believing it has the power to cure illnesses.
Dr JA Jayalal, the national president at the Indian Medical Association, said:
“There is no concrete scientific evidence that cow dung or urine work to boost immunity against COVID-19, it is based entirely on belief.”
He added:
“There are also health risks involved in smearing or consuming these products – other diseases can spread from the animal to humans.”
