Medicine or myth? Doctor calls Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu "illiterate boomer uncle" for supporting claims on cow urine

Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, known as The Liver Doc on X, has publicly criticised Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu's post supporting the comments made by IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti on the medicinal benefits of cow urine.

The dispute escalated after Vembu shared his endorsement of Kamakoti's remarks, claiming that cow urine, along with cow dung, has beneficial properties supported by modern science.

Vembu’s post, which went viral, argued that the "medicinal" claims about cow urine were gaining scientific interest, linking it to the growing focus on fecal transplants in restoring gut health.


He wrote, “The people who are mocking cow urine don’t know how fecal transplants and fecal pills (yes!)... are seeing growing scientific interest.” Vembu further emphasized that gut bacteria, which play a crucial role in both physical and mental health, were central to the immune system, asserting that the use of cow urine and dung was supported by emerging scientific findings and should not be dismissed as "superstitious quackery."


In response, Philips, a strong critic of such claims, lashed out at Vembu, calling him an “illiterate boomer uncle” and accusing him of spreading misinformation to his followers. Philips argued that there was no scientific basis for promoting urine therapy and urged Vembu to educate himself on the topic.

“Your so-called Indian traditional medicine, Siddha, also encourages fecal transplants. How long will you keep putting your foot in your mouth and speak through your rear, misinform your followers, and make a fool of yourself?” Philips wrote, challenging Vembu to stop promoting what he called “ancient nonsense.”


Philips, an advocate for evidence-based medicine, also criticised Vembu for amplifying the views of V Kamakoti, who had previously stirred controversy by claiming that cow urine had antibacterial, antifungal, and digestive benefits. Philips pointed out that scientific methods, like fecal transplants, had proven benefits in treating severe liver diseases, a field in which he has contributed significantly.

This conflict between Philips and Vembu is not new.

The two had a heated exchange last year over the practice of "grounding" or walking barefoot, with Philips once again calling out Vembu for promoting unproven health practices.

The ongoing tensions between the two have become a notable example of the wider debate on the intersection of traditional beliefs and modern science in India.