Donkey

The donkey has been a man's friend since time immemorial, ever since Jesus rode on it. According to legends, Egyptian Queen Cleopatra bathed in donkey's milk every day to keep her skin shiny and youthful. It took her about 700 donkeys for that! In the past, in the Mediterranean area, the donkey was an indispensable agricultural assistant, and today it is mainly used for exhibition purposes and for obtaining milk.

Croatia has just over 1,300 donkeys in registered breeding, but it is estimated that there are about two thousand. Donkeys are a protected species in Croatia, and the state gives incentives to farmers for their breeding.

There are three indigenous species - Istrian, northern Adriatic and Dalmatian donkeys. For centuries, donkeys have been the most useful animal to the poor people, helping man to carry the burden. But donkey meat also fed him, when there was no other meat. But in one, this animal has no equal - donkey's milk has long been the most famous folk remedy. It was a first aid in the defense of immunity, especially in lung diseases. Today, more and more people are raising donkeys for milk.

The donkey gives milk for a few months after giving birth - 3 decilitres to half a liter a day, but it must be milked every two hours.

Donkey's milk has long been used for nutrition, healing, boosting immunity and beauty. Although Cleopatra, Hippocrates and French ladies from high society knew about its good characteristics, in modern times the custom of drinking donkey's milk has almost been forgotten.

For beauty and health:

Donkey's milk contains sixty times more vitamin C than cow's milk and since it has vitamins A, D and E and is a rich source of calcium and phosphorus, it is truly a nutritional gold mine. It also contains immunoglobulin, a protein that strengthens the immune system and makes it the perfect drink to prevent viral and bacteriological aggressors. Donkey milk face cream contains unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A, important for cell membrane renewal, which allows the skin to regenerate and at the same time slows down skin aging. Vitamin C has an antioxidant role and accelerates healing mechanisms, vitamin E is an antioxidant that slows down skin aging. The mineral salts from donkey's milk allow the skin to be clean by freeing it from dead cells, and a significant amount of lipids allows it to be well nourished.

Natural remedy for respiratory diseases and allergies:

All moms have long known that goat's milk is extremely healthy for children, especially those who show allergic reactions to cow's milk. But less well known are the healing properties of donkey's milk, which has long been used as a natural remedy for many diseases, especially respiratory diseases, allergies and weakened immunity.

Donkey's milk is most similar in composition to breast milk. It has a low percentage of fat and a lot of vitamins, and it tastes sweet, so children like to drink it. Donkey's milk is becoming increasingly popular in Europe and is widely used on the recommendation of pediatricians in Italy, France, Belgium and other countries, for medical purposes.

As mentioned in the introduction, donkey milk helps treat bronchitis, asthma, dry cough, whooping cough and alleviate allergies, neurodermatitis and eczema. It also has a beneficial effect on the stomach, treats colitis and other diseases of the digestive tract. Milk is said to boost immunity and is an excellent substitute for cow's milk, while in Sicily and some other parts of Italy, for example, it is used in children's hospitals as a substitute for breast milk.

Today, the donkey is spoken of mostly as a faithful, smart, though somewhat stubborn animal that once dragged, plowed and carried.