In Hippocratic texts there are mentions of this milk for anything from snake bites to dysentery, in Roman times it was used as a cosmetic while Cleopatra may have bathed in it to enhance her beauty.
Very similar to human milk, with a low fat content and high levels of omega three and six, high levels of calcium and the antibacterial enzyme lysozeme, donkey’s milk is worthy of much greater attention than it receives.
Up until the middle of 20th century in Greece, it was given to feed the orphaned babies and sick children (particularly those suffering from dry cough related problems).
In Italy, ass’s milk is given to children with cow’s milk protein allergy as substitute for cow’ s milk.
Although donkey has played a significant part in Greek tradition, sadly it has been affected by biodiversity loss and its numbers are in decline. However, the sale of this milk can be most profitable for a farmer, since its price is very high.
Just think that the most expensive cheese in the world, costing $1,350 per kilogram, comes from Balkan donkey milk (Serbia).
For more on Greek donkeys and their milk, read “Saving Eeyore” by Tania Kollias. It’s an old article but still interesting.