Cameroon bans urine 'health drink'

BBC ^ | Thursday, 13 March, 2003 | Unknown

[the_devils_advocate_666]

The Cameroon health minister has deemed it necessary to warn people that drinking urine may not be good for your health.

Urbain Olanguena Awono has even warned that those who advocate drinking urine risk prosecution.

He was moved to speak after a wave of interest in "urinotherapy".

Advocates are convinced that it can cure afflictions such as haemorrhoids, ulcers, infertility and even snake bites.

"Given the risks of toxicity associated in the short, medium and long term with ingesting urine, the health ministry advises against the consumption of urine and invites those who promote the practice to cease doing so forthwith or risk prosecution," Mr Awono said in a statement.

Best seller

But "urinotherapists" are sticking to their beliefs that a glass of urine a day keeps the doctor away.

"I used it to treat my haemorrhoids," Emile told Cameroon newspaper, Le Messager.

"Everyone uses it in secret. But you need to be brave," he said.

But not everyone has the necessary courage.

"I tried but I just couldn't," said G Gisele.

"For several years now, I haven't had a hair on my head, but since I started drinking my urine, it's started growing again - it's quite extraordinary," the French news agency, AFP, quoted an unnamed magistrate as saying.

Le Messager says that a book on "urinotherapy" published in Switzerland has become a best seller.

But others say it is part of Cameroon's traditional medicine.

"When my grandmother who is 80 was bitten by a snake in the fields, she drank her own urine. This slowed down the progress of the venom to her heart until she got to hospital," said Omer Otabela.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

I think I might skip lunch today... my stomach suddenly feels a little queasy.

[GraniteStateConservative]

We're begging these morons for an affirmative vote on our resolution?

[ConservativeDude]

I always thought your body was trying to rid itself of urine. Drinking it is sort of like putting the trash outside and then having your spouse bring it back and dump it in the living room floor.

But then again, who's to say? I mean, he who is without sin should cast the first stone....we shouldn't judge another's culture, right?

[ConservativeDude]

We're begging these morons for an affirmative vote on our resolution?


Actually this was going to be my second comment....

[dep]

great. and these are the people we're bending over and spreading for in hope that they grant us permission to free iraq. i feel a lot better about it now.

dep

[tom paine 2]

This is why we should not give two s***s what these folks think about our invasion of Iraq.

[Hodar]

Just great ... there goes my fortune ....

[riri]

And you guys thought it wasn't rational to give these guys a vote concerning our national security? Proven wrong once again, eh?

[Rebelbase]

Once the supplier rolls out the asparagas flavor they'll go bankrupt!

[billorites]

Shaken, not stirred.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

And to think that all these years I have been wasting my best asset!

No wonder the grass is always greener over the septic tank!!

[Charles Henrickson]

But not everyone has the necessary courage. "I tried but I just couldn't," said G Gisele.

She's yella.

[babaloo]

You know we laugh about this showing how ridiculous the whole UN begging for votes process is. I wonder what kind of response an article about the US Department of Health issuing a warning about the danger Americans face who ingest a drug prepared with Drano and rat poison, namely meth, would go over in Camaroon?

[Gritty]

I'm sitting here in awe.

These are the people we are courting in the Security Council so we can proceed to protect American security!!??

[Charles Henrickson]

"I used it to treat my haemorrhoids," Emile told Cameroon newspaper, Le Messager.

What a meroon!

[Charles Henrickson]

"I tried but I just couldn't," said G Gisele.

Piss-poor excuse.

[babaloo]

Post of the day!

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

The drink is now sold under the name "Urine Deep Trouble".

[Lee Heggy]

Yes, and it much pleases us to thank the Security Council for the excellent lunch and delicious beverages they have generously provided our delegation in the special area called 'The Men's Cama-room'. The special self-cleansing porcelain bowls so thoughtfully separated by privacy screens were full to the brim with our national dish and were enjoyed by all.

[Uncle Sausage]

Any reports on the benefits of drinking someone elses urine?

Didn't Ghandi drink his own urine every morning?