In an attempt to utilize farm and cattle shed waste, a process has been developed wherein distillation waste (plant herbage after distillation) and cow’s urine were used for production of vermicompost. It has been observed that addition of cow’s urine in composting pits led to production of superior quality vermicompost with higher concentrations of major macro- and micro-nutrients. Such vermicompost was found to be superior in terms of useful microflora (fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes). Application of this vermicompost in pots significantly improved the yields of leucerne (Medicago sativa) when compared with pots supplemented with vermicompost produced without using cow’s urine.
Cow urine has been described in ‘Sushrita Samhita’ and ‘Ashtanga Sangraha’ to be the most effective substance/secretion of animal origin with innumerable therapeutic values. In Ayurveda cow urine is suggested for improving general health. However the biological activity of the cow urine has not been proven scientifically.
Researchers at CIMAP have identified a cow urine distillate fraction as a bioenhancer of commonly used antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs. Bioenhancers are substances, which do not possess drug activity of their own but promote and augment the bioactivity or bioavailability or the uptake of drugs in combination therapy. Such bioenhancers have been earlier isolated only from plant sources.