BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi Says Cow Urine Has Antibacterial, Antifungal Properties. What Does Science Say?

Published 30 July 2026 · politics

BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi Says Cow Urine Has Antibacterial, Antifungal Properties. What Does Science Say? Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 20:31 IST BJP MP

BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi Says Cow Urine Has Antibacterial, Antifungal Properties. What Does Science Say? Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 20:31 IST BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi's claim on cow urine's medicinal benefits has reignited debate. Here's what scientific studies and experts say about the evidence. Current scientific evidence suggests that cow urine and its distillate may exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activity under laboratory conditions. (Photo: AFP file) The medicinal properties of cow urine, or gomutra, have once again become the subject of political debate after BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed that its antibacterial and antifungal properties have been recognised internationally. Trivedi’s remarks came after Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a swipe at IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, who was recently included in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s task force on exam reforms, referring to him as a “gaumutra expert". Responding to the criticism, Trivedi said, “Those who have a problem with gomutra (cow urine) should know that its antibacterial and antifungal medicinal properties have been patented in the United States and the United Kingdom. Those whose minds are filled with the ‘dung of Macaulay and Marx’ will never understand this." संसद में Paper Leak Prevention Bill व NEET के विषय में कांग्रेस को अकारण गौमूत्र को लाने की क्या आवश्यकता थी।

केवल कोई न कोई मौक़ा निकाल कर हिंदू धर्म और भारतीय संस्कृति को अपमानित करना।सत्य यह है कि मैकाले और मार्क्स का मल जिनके दिमाग़ में भरा है उन्हें पता होना चाहिए कि… pic.twitter.com/CuKYiyhOyV — Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi (@SudhanshuTrived) July 30, 2026 The claim has renewed interest in what scientific research actually says about cow urine and its potential medicinal properties. What Research Has Found Several studies published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Veterinary Public Health, International Journal of Cow Science and other microbiology and pharmaceutical journals, have examined cow urine and cow urine distillate in laboratory settings. Researchers have reported that cow urine distillate demonstrated antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and fungi under controlled conditions. Laboratory studies using standard agar diffusion methods found inhibition of microorganisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus and some fungal species, including Aspergillus. One of the most frequently cited studies was conducted by researchers associated with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Their work led to a US patent (US6410059B1) related to cow urine distillate as a “bioenhancer" — a substance that may help improve the effectiveness of certain drugs. According to the research, cow urine distillate appeared to enhance the transport of some antibiotics and antifungal medications across cell membranes, potentially improving their efficacy at lower doses.