From soda to tooth paste !

         These days I feel guilty while sipping on my Cola drinks /carbonated drinks ,because some people claim that drinking a cola is equivalent to gulping down pesticides and toxins  directly.This is not my statement, but the ranting  statement given by the RSS(Rashtriya swayam seva samithi)organisation in India regarding the carbonated drinks and they claim that people should resort to more healthier drinks and also rant that they have  their own "health drink" named Gauloka peya or 'Gau Jal'/cow water . Don't be mis-leaded by the term cow water, for it is not water but a drink made of cow urine!Yes ,cow urine has some very good medicinal properties which has acclaimed to be a good health drink combined with some herbs .The RSS have even made some good flavors and have distilled and further processed it to remove the offensive smell and taste of the urine.So it doesn't even taste /smell urine!check it here .

  

         Ayurveda ,a well known medicine system originated from India but also practiced and adapted worldwide is the well renovated form of medicine.Susruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita are the two most resorted literature of traditional medicines even today ,even though transcribed thousands of years ago.A lot of ailments are treated with this well known form of medicine ranging from Diabetes ,Blood pressure ,skin disorders to Cancer.These Books also explains some surgeries and treatments which could be linked to the allopathic principles too.One such ancient medicinal therapy practised even today and also rejuvenating in a wider form is the traditional 'cow urine therapy'.The  ancient transcript excerpts from Susrutha samhita  and Ashtanga Sangraha have proven literature describing the benefits of cow's urine in treating a variety of disorders ranging from skin disorders ,Diabetes to Aids and Cancer.Cow's urine is said to have  many properties like Germicidal benefits  acting as a natural antibiotic ;provide micro nutrients and essential minerals to the body owing to the presence of many of the minerals in it.This also has been given credits to have  increased the immunity powers and body resistance,  also has anti cancer properties .US have obtained patents for the drug launched by the RSS for cancer . Here's the link .Cow urine is also said to have both 'medhya 'and 'hradhya' properties ,which translates as being an  aid for  both brain and heart stabilization.It balances the disorders created by both heart and brain .Also the Three 'doshas'/disorders in the body namely Vata (gas),Pitta(liver disorders)and kapha(respiratory) are neutralized or balanced. According to Ayurvedic principles ,'Mandagni'/low digestive fire in the body causes many of the diseases and so Cow's urine compensates for the low digestive ability.A lot of researches  have been conducted and are in process ,to  support these benefits and has been proved too.There is a lot of debate regarding this cow urine therapy and a lot of critics/scientists  are skeptical and question the reliability of a body waste for the health benefits.They feel that ' urine',which is the  result of processing of all body nutrients and is only an eliminated body waste, is meant only for getting rid off and not for any therapies.Also the Cow urine is said to be habitat  for a variety of microorganisms and consumption could also cause many disease like Respiratory infections ,Bovine Tuberculosis , Diarrhea and many other ailments. But the fact is that Cow urine benefits listed above can still be implied and consumed when it is distilled and is free of microorganisms.

     Scientific researches and Laboratory tests have been conducted on Cow urine and is proved to  contain a variety of chemicals like nitrogen, sulphur ,magnesium,silicon ,chlorine,vitamins A ,B C and E ,Lactose ,creatinine Uric acid etc.and all these chemicals have their own particular effects which would help balance the chemical imbalance in the body leading to many of the diseases and thereby owing to the cure of these diseases.Here's a list I found in many of the links I searched and have just copy pasted this for reference:

1. Nitrogen (N2, NH2): Removes blood abnormalities and toxins, Natural stimulant of urinary track, activates kidneys and it is diuretic.
2. Sulphur (S): Supports motion in large intestines. Cleanses blood.
3. Ammonia (NH3): Stabilise bile, mucous and air of body. Stabilises blood formation.
4. Copper (Cu): Controls built up of unwanted fats.
5. Iron (Fe): Maintains balance and helps in production of red blood cells & haemoglobin. Stabilises working power.
6. Urea CO(NH2)2: Affects urine formation and removal. Germicidal.
7. Uric Acid (C5H4N4O3): Removes heart swelling or inflammation. It is diuretic therefore destroys toxins.
8. Phosphate (P): Helps in removing stones from urinary track.
9. Sodium (Na): Purifies blood. Antacid.
10. Potassium (K): Cures hereditary rheumatism. Increases appetite. Removes muscular weakness and laziness.
11. Manganese (Mn): Germicidal, stops growth of germs, protects against decay due to gangrene.
12. Carbolic acid (HCOOH): Germicidal, stops growth of germs and decay due to gangrene.
13. Calcium (Ca): Blood purifier, bone strengthener, germicidal.
14. Salt (NaCl): Decreases acidic contents of blood, germicidal.
15. Vitamins A, B, C, D, E: Vitamin B is active ingredient for energetic life and saves from nervousness and thirst, strengthens bones and reproductive ingredient for energetic life and saves from nervousness and thirst, strengthens bones and reproductive power.
16. Other Minerals: Increase immunity.
17. Lactose (C6H12O6): Gives satisfaction., strengths heart, removes thirst and nervousness.
18. Enzymes: Make healthy digestive juices, increase immunity.
19. Water (H2O): It is a life giver. Maintains fluidity of blood, maintains body temperature.
20. Hipuric acid (CgNgNox): Removes toxins through urine.
21. Creatinin (C4HgN2O2): Germicide.
22. Aurum Hydroxide (AuOH): It is germicidal and increases immunity power. AuOH is highly antibiotic and anti-toxic.

    Hindus believe Cow to be holy/auspicious and  Cow's urine and Cow dung have been in use as a purifying/disinfecting  agent  or has been used in may of the rituals and ceremonies by the Hindus since ages.The cow dung is smeared in front of the house for cleansing the dirt and is considered auspicious.cow dung is also used as a cooking fuel for burning and it's use as a fertilizer is well known.But now,the cow dung  has also extended use for medicines .Cow dung is generally dried for a week ,cured at high temperatures and mixed with various herbs for producing medicines.'Panchagavya ',a preparation made out of 5 ingredients namely curds ,milk ,ghee ,cow' urine and cow dung is considered holy and is used in ceremonies  for internal purification and also as a medicine for the human body for many of the ailments.Yes, so Ayurveda suggests Cow urine and Cow Dung for internal usage!

          These benefits are yet comprehensible ,but unnecessary commercialization and  endorsements have always been critical in all the cases and so is true here in the case of cow urine /cow dung benefits .A sudden appearance of numerous companies producing distilled Cow urine; surge in prices ;drastic growth in various  product manufacturing ,marketing justifies this.Consumption of Cow urine for health benefits have been modified and has been  taken undue advantage so much that it has been claimed to have medicinal products in every single product we use day to day form a tooth paste to a cream!Imagine Cow dung in a cream !Isn't that something weird?A shampoo,a face cream ,a pain reliever oil ,children's tonic ,eye drops , mosquito coil ,a phenyl for cleaning ,tablets ,a alternative  for Viagra ,sexual well being ,etc etc..the list is enormous!They have added cow urine to every single product combined with the other Ayurveda medicines . Don't believe me? check here

PS:I am not intending to hurt sentiments of any religion or organisation here.The cow urine use for medicines have been proven already.My concern is only about the commercialization and  harassment of people in the name of medicine charging hundred's of rupees and dollars.

Some of the useful resources :

1.http://www.indianetzone.com/20/benefits_cow_urine.htm

2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeMFfHNCoGg  v

3.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uvhyts5mxZg v

4..http://www.goshala.com/products.php

5.http://www.matchless-gifts.com/store/products/Gomata-Ark-(Medicinal-Distilled-Cow-Urine).html#

6.http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/5412/

7.http://www.yogsandesh.org/articles/36/1/Cow-Urine-Can-Cure-Many-Diseases/Page1.html

8.http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Disturbing%20Truths/drinking_cow_urine.htm This particular link ,I feel he is trying to just blindly criticize without sound proof of anything and is just being hypocritical.

9.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article5707554.ece

10.http://abcnews.go.com/Business/SmallBiz/story?id=6873834&page=1

LABOR OF LOVE

        

            Surrogacy has always been a long debated topic.Surrogacy is an option chosen by couples usually as a last resort  ,when a Lady cannot  not conceive or carry a baby in her womb due to various reasons which may include a missing /abnormal uterus,multiple pregnancy failures ,breast cancer or any other factors.A surrogate mother carries the embryo which is implanted  into her  womb after the in vitro fertilization of the couple's egg and sperm respectively.So there is some sort of emotional satisfaction associated with the parents  that the 'baby' is biologically theirs.

       Now ,it's challenging equally both for the mother and the surrogate mother respectively to adopt this option.The mother always has the guilt that she has not carried the child in her womb and has not experienced the eternal feeling of motherhood ;while on the other hand the surrogate mother who has felt  the bonding with the child in the womb , cannot even experience the pleasure of motherhood by raising the child she gave birth to. The reason for me writing this post was because , recently ,I came across this programme named 'Labor of love ' on CNBC channel which played an interview of  a 52 year old lady named Crystal Sirignano who has been a 'surrogate mother'.This news made me just spell bound.The fact that a 52 year old lady conceiving itself was one shocking news and added to it was the fact that she  was doing it for none other than her own daughter!As I saw her glowing face reflecting  immense pride, speaking about her decision to conceive for her daughter,I was filled with mixed emotions of a strange sense of awkwardness and also appreciation.She narrated that her daughter Kendra Sirignano, who had some health issues had been going through depression continuously since 3 years for not being able to conceive and have her own baby.That's when she decided to get herself tested and do her share of help to her daughter for her happiness.Her statement stating that the doctor considered her uterus to be as strong and healthy as a 18 year old gal ,brought a smile on my face.The proud Grand Mother  has delivered not one ,but twins for her daughter.Her daughter on being interviewed ,said that she never ever considered  surrogacy as an option and that it was her mother's idea to conceive for her. She was very apprehensive with the fact that her mother's health would be posed to risk ,but her mother was very much  insistent and she felt  extremely grateful to her  for this brave step.We have read and heard ' Bhagavad Geetha 'that 'there is no other living God in this earth 'and we could reciprocate the favor done to us by anyone in life ,but not of that done by  our mother owing to the 9 months of struggle she would have gone to give birth to us.But after reading this, what would you say about  this mother who has gone one step ahead and even done it for her kid's kids at this age!

    

    PS: Additional links to the news :

 1.http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/2008/06/30/52-year-old-delivers-twins-for-her-daughter.aspx

2.http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/feedback/2008/06/at_age_52_goodrich_woman_cryst.html