The Indian age-old traditions are often taken for superstitions or outdated customs, but they are now being looked into through the lens of science and sustainability. These practices range all the way from using neem twigs as toothbrushes to turmeric in daily cooking, which were not merely used out of daily practice but to strike the correct ecological balance and support overall wellness.
Passed down through generations, these outdated looking practices quietly carried wisdom that modern science is now beginning to understand. Among these one such practice is the use of cow dung in homes, which has been long associated with rural India. Surprisingly, it is now being used for its practical and environmental benefits.
For centuries, rural Indian homes have used cow dung to plaster floors and walls. It is an inexpensive, sustainable material that keeps homes naturally cool in summers and warm during winters.
In today’s climate-conscious urban world, where the impacts of over-construction and energy-hungry materials are being felt globally, this simple practice is finding some importance in the technologically advanced world. Recently a video shows that cow dung is no longer just an age-old relic but a beacon for sustainable living in the 21st century.
The viral video from Delhi University has caught the internet's attention and reignited interest in this rural Indian practice. In it, Dr. Pratyush Vatsala, Principal of Laxmibai College, is seen applying cow dung to a classroom wall in order to whitewash it in the place of paint or cement.
Cow dung is a natural insulator!
Cow dung has long been known to act as a natural insulator. Homes coated with it in rural India could remain up to 7°C cooler than their surroundings. According to Dr. Shivdarshan Malik, a former professor and eco-construction innovator, "Villagers had abandoned the practice, but cow dung kept homes cooler in summer and insulated them in winter" , as reported by The Better India.
Dr. Malik has taken this traditional material a step further by creating Vedic Plaster, which is a breathable blend of cow dung, clay, neem leaves, gypsum, and more. It resists heat absorption and reduces indoor temperatures. He also developed Gocrete Bricks, made from cow dung and local materials, which block up to 70% of external heat.
Other similar ideas have also come up!
In Tamil Nadu, a couple built an eco-home using mud, cow dung, and lime. “We wanted to reduce our carbon footprint in every way possible,” says Noushadya. “So, we built the entire structure from mud, cow dung, lime, and second-hand doors and windows”, reports The Better India.
What is the science behind the cooling effect of cow dung and other anti-microbial properties?
The cooling effect of cow dung comes from its natural composition as it's rich fibrous, organic material doesn't trap heat like cement. When mixed with mud, it forms a breathable layer that allows moisture to evaporate slowly, which helps to regulate indoor temperature. This is why homes plastered with cow dung stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Apart from this, cow dung also contains natural antimicrobial agents like phenols and bacteriophages that fight harmful bacteria and pathogens. That’s why traditionally it was also used on floors to keep spaces hygienic, especially in homes without access to modern cleaning products or disinfectants.
Passed down through generations, these outdated looking practices quietly carried wisdom that modern science is now beginning to understand. Among these one such practice is the use of cow dung in homes, which has been long associated with rural India. Surprisingly, it is now being used for its practical and environmental benefits.
For centuries, rural Indian homes have used cow dung to plaster floors and walls. It is an inexpensive, sustainable material that keeps homes naturally cool in summers and warm during winters.
In today’s climate-conscious urban world, where the impacts of over-construction and energy-hungry materials are being felt globally, this simple practice is finding some importance in the technologically advanced world. Recently a video shows that cow dung is no longer just an age-old relic but a beacon for sustainable living in the 21st century.
The viral video from Delhi University has caught the internet's attention and reignited interest in this rural Indian practice. In it, Dr. Pratyush Vatsala, Principal of Laxmibai College, is seen applying cow dung to a classroom wall in order to whitewash it in the place of paint or cement.
🚨 Delhi University college principal coats classroom walls with cow dung to beat the summer heat. pic.twitter.com/tiVaWhwCS0
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) April 15, 2025
Cow dung is a natural insulator!
Cow dung has long been known to act as a natural insulator. Homes coated with it in rural India could remain up to 7°C cooler than their surroundings. According to Dr. Shivdarshan Malik, a former professor and eco-construction innovator, "Villagers had abandoned the practice, but cow dung kept homes cooler in summer and insulated them in winter" , as reported by The Better India.
Dr. Malik has taken this traditional material a step further by creating Vedic Plaster, which is a breathable blend of cow dung, clay, neem leaves, gypsum, and more. It resists heat absorption and reduces indoor temperatures. He also developed Gocrete Bricks, made from cow dung and local materials, which block up to 70% of external heat.
Other similar ideas have also come up!
In Tamil Nadu, a couple built an eco-home using mud, cow dung, and lime. “We wanted to reduce our carbon footprint in every way possible,” says Noushadya. “So, we built the entire structure from mud, cow dung, lime, and second-hand doors and windows”, reports The Better India.
What is the science behind the cooling effect of cow dung and other anti-microbial properties?
The cooling effect of cow dung comes from its natural composition as it's rich fibrous, organic material doesn't trap heat like cement. When mixed with mud, it forms a breathable layer that allows moisture to evaporate slowly, which helps to regulate indoor temperature. This is why homes plastered with cow dung stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Apart from this, cow dung also contains natural antimicrobial agents like phenols and bacteriophages that fight harmful bacteria and pathogens. That’s why traditionally it was also used on floors to keep spaces hygienic, especially in homes without access to modern cleaning products or disinfectants.
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