In the sun-baked regions of southern Morocco, an ancient practice persists. A first-of-its-kind scientific survey documents how communities use camel urine to treat diseases from cancer to diabetes, offering a vital bridge between traditional knowledge and future drug discovery.
In the vast, arid landscapes of southern Morocco, where the camel reigns as the “animal of the future,” a tradition passed down through generations is now receiving the meticulous attention of modern science. Far from the sterile environments of pharmaceutical labs, local communities have long turned to a resource as natural as it is controversial: camel urine.
A pioneering ethnopharmacological study, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, has systematically documented this practice for the first time in the Arab world. Researchers from Sultan Moulay Slimane University conducted in-depth interviews with 384 individuals—from traditional healers and camel herders to everyday rural and urban dwellers—across the Guelmim-Oued Noun and Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra regions.
The findings, gathered over six months from December 2022 to June 2023, are staggering in their detail and consistency. They reveal a deeply embedded healthcare practice where camel urine (CU) is not a remedy of last resort, but a primary, trusted therapy for a range of serious ailments.
A Practice Rooted in Daily Life
The data is clear: this is mainstream traditional medicine in these communities. A remarkable 90.7% of the 384 informants reported using camel urine to treat human illnesses. Its use cuts across demographics, employed by both men and women and spanning all adult age groups, with the highest usage among those aged 40-60.
Contrary to stereotypes that might relegate such practices to the uneducated or impoverished, the survey found that users were often literate, with 44.3% having university-level education, and a significant portion had stable incomes. This suggests a conscious, informed choice integrated into their healthcare worldview.
Table 1: Who Uses Camel Urine? A Demographic Snapshot of Users
| Demographic | Key Finding | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Usage | 90.7% of 384 informants use CU | A widespread, mainstream traditional practice |
| Education | 44.3% of users have university education | Use is informed and not limited to the uneducated |
| Income | 43.5% of users have a high monthly income (>5000 DH) | Practice is not driven solely by poverty or lack of access |
| Top User Age | Highest usage (49%) in 40-60 year olds | Trust built over a lifetime; knowledge transmission |
| Marital Status | Married individuals use it significantly more (56%) | Often administered within family care dynamics |
A Pharmacy for Modern Ailments: What is Camel Urine Used For?
The survey cataloged the treatment of 11 major human diseases. The results show CU is not considered a panacea but is targeted at specific, often chronic and severe conditions that are major global health burdens.
The most commonly treated ailments were digestive system disorders (55.17%), including liver diseases and stomach ulcers. Strikingly, half of the informants (50.29%) reported using CU as an alternative or complementary medicine for cancer. It was also frequently used for diabetes mellitus (38.40%), tuberculosis (29.60%), skin conditions like eczema, and even for promoting hair growth and preventing microbial infections.
This aligns with a growing, if small, body of preclinical scientific research. Separate laboratory studies (cited within the survey) have shown camel urine to possess anticancer properties by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, anti-diabetic effects in animal models, and antimicrobial activity. The traditional practice, therefore, appears to be pointing scientists toward verifiable biological activity.
The “Recipe”: Specificity in Tradition
The depth of traditional knowledge is evident in the precise protocols reported. This isn’t a vague folk remedy; it’s a practice with its own sophisticated parameters:
- Source Matters: Urine is preferentially collected from pregnant female camels (51.6%) and virgin females (46.7%), believed to have superior medicinal properties. The camels’ diet of specific desert shrubs (like Acacia tortilis) is considered crucial.
- Fresh is Best: 70.6% use fresh urine directly, while others mix it with camel milk.
- Standardized Dosage: For internal ailments like cancer, diabetes, and ulcers, the standard dose is one teacup (69% reported this). For skin conditions, 1-3 teaspoons are applied topically.
- Optimal Timing: The vast majority (91.1%) take it in the morning on an empty stomach, believing it maximizes absorption and effect.
- Treatment Regimen: It is typically taken once daily for four days a week.
Table 2: The Traditional Protocol: How Camel Urine is Used
| Aspect of Use | Primary Method | Reported Rationale / Belief |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Pregnant (51.6%) or Virgin (46.7%) Female Camels | Linked to hormonal profile and purity; traditional heritage. |
| Form | Fresh, unprocessed (70.6%) | To preserve “bioactive molecules.” Some mix with milk. |
| Key Dose (Oral) | 1 Teacup (for cancer, diabetes, etc.) | A standardized, culturally understood measurement. |
| Key Dose (Topical) | 1-3 Teaspoons (for eczema, skin) | Direct application to affected area. |
| Timing | Morning, on an empty stomach (91.1%) | Belief that body absorption and efficacy are highest then. |
| Frequency | Once daily, 4 days a week | A cyclical treatment regimen. |
Safety, Efficacy, and a Call for Scientific Transition
The survey openly addressed safety and perceived effectiveness.
- Side Effects: Most users (86.2%) reported no side effects. A minority (13.8%) experienced mild, short-lived issues like diarrhea or nausea, which lasted only 2-4 hours.
- Perceived Efficacy: An overwhelming 75.86% of users believed CU was “100% efficacious,” with the remaining 24.13% stating it improved their quality of life by alleviating symptoms. The researchers documented anecdotal success stories, including reports of tumor regression in stomach cancer and improved liver function in hepatitis B, following traditional CU protocols.
However, the researchers are clear: this is traditional knowledge, not clinical proof. The documented practices provide a crucial “starting point for scientists to analyse camel resources… and identify new bioactive compounds.”
The Crucial Bridge: From Cultural Heritage to Global Health
This study does more than document an unusual practice. It performs a vital act of preservation and creates a roadmap for future discovery. The researchers conclude that this “ethnomedicinal knowledge… allows the bridging of the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary science, which can lead to the identification of modern drugs.”
The next steps are clear: rigorous scientific validation. This involves:
- Phytochemical Analysis: Identifying and isolating the specific bioactive compounds in camel urine.
- Preclinical Studies: Testing these compounds for safety and efficacy in laboratory and animal models.
- Clinical Trials: Ultimately, conducting controlled human trials to determine true therapeutic value, proper dosage, and potential interactions.
The potential is significant. In a world grappling with antibiotic resistance, difficult-to-treat cancers, and chronic diseases like diabetes, nature-derived compounds are a vital frontier for new drug discovery. The traditional knowledge of Moroccan communities, meticulously recorded in this survey, has now thrown open a door to that frontier, with the humble camel standing at its center.
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