Benefits of camel urine and the increasing demand in Nigeria.

Camel urine is a liquid by-product of metabolism in a camel‘s anatomy. Urine from camels has been used in prophetic medicine for centuries, being a part of ancient Bedouin practices and also Muslim tradition.^[1] According to the World Health Organization, the use of camel urine as a traditional medicine lacks scientific evidence.

Camel urine is consumed and used for treating ailments, though it has been widely denounced.^[1] Some salons use it as a treatment for hair loss.^[1] The camel urine from a virgin camel is priced at twenty dollars per liter, with herders saying that it has curative powers. It is traditionally mixed with milk.^[1]

Certain preclinical studies have claimed that camel urine possesses various therapeutic advantages, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, and even potential cardiovascular benefits.

Camel has been mentioned in Quran in different places and described a miracle of almighty God. Also, prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has recommend camel in his speech (hadith). The prophet (PBUH) has recommended camel milk for some diseases such as skin disease as remedy. Camel plays in important livestock which produced milk longer than any other ruminant under harsh condition of desert ecosystem. Camel milk is different from other ruminant milk different ways. Camel milk is rich in vitamin C and protective proteins such as lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, immunoglobulins and lysozyme. Camel milk lacks β-lactoglobulin and used as an option for the individuals intolerant to lactose of cow’s milk. Camel milk is extraordinary in terms of antioxidative agents, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-hepatitis, anti-arthritis, treatment for paratuberculosis, preventing aging, remedy for autoimmune diseases and cosmetics. Insulin in camel milk is safe and efficacious in improving long-term glycemic control in diabetic patient. Camel milk reduces autism symptoms in children. Lactoferrin has ability to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cell. Camel milk is rich in magnesium and zinc thus could act as antiulcer.

Camels are found mainly in the semi-arid northern part of Nigeria, including Borno, Yobe, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States. in search of a miraculous cure for terminal diseases such as cancer and the likes Nigerians and traditional medical practitioners are relying on camel urine.