DONKEY'S MILK FOR ETERNAL BEAUTY

SALEM (Chennai), Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Egypt's ancient queen Cleopatra was not the only woman who showered in donkey's milk to keep her skin young and tender.Even women in India consume donkey's milk, which is said to contain anti-ageing and regeneration values, to keep themselves young.In the southern city of Salem, more women are turning to donkey's milk, so much so suppliers are finding it hard to keep up with the brisk demand for the dairy product.

Besides helping their skin feel smooth and silky, women in Gurusamypalayam, a village known for handloom weavers, believe donkey's milk has medicinal values that can cure vaginal discharge or medically known as "leukorrhea".K. Anjali, 52, whose family owns a donkey milk business for decades in the village, said 50 millilitres of the milk previously cost 10 rupees (RM1) but recently, the price has skyrocketed to 200 rupees (RM20), yet the demand has not tapered off.

"Outside milk suppliers are now camping in our village to provide more supplies but they are still not enough."Women here believe that if they bath in donkey's milk it will beautify their skin and cure their health problems during their menstrual period."They are rushing to buy milk from the udder and even feed their babies believing it can cure stammering among children," she told Bernama.

She said donkeys here are now fed with cattle fodder to get more crispy milk.Donkey's milk has always been regarded as a potent healthy drink because of its immunostimulant properties which some researchers say can enhance the human body immune system and treat diseases including HIV/Aids.The milk is said to be rich in Vitamin C and contains Vitamins A, D, and E -- making it a much-sought health drink even in the west.