Buyer protection
Contents
Donkey milk appears repeatedly in ancient texts – including writings that are traditionally attributed to Hippocrates and his school. What can be concluded from this is one thing in particular: donkey milk was known and valued over 2,000 years ago. What cannot be concluded from this are promises for today. In this article, we place this history in its proper context.
Who was Hippocrates?
Hippocrates of Cos lived on the Greek island of Cos in the 5th and early 4th centuries BCE. He is considered one of the most famous physicians of antiquity. A large collection of medical texts is traditionally attributed to his name, known as the Corpus Hippocraticum. However, many of these texts were not written by him himself, but by his students and later authors.
The Hippocratic school is best known for placing observation and description at the center of its approach. The famous Hippocratic Oath, which is still known today in a modified form, also dates back to this tradition.
What the historical record says about donkey milk
Various types of milk, including donkey milk, are mentioned in the Hippocratic texts. It is mentioned there in connection with nutrition. For the physicians of that time, nutrition was a central part of their thinking – they described in detail which foods and drinks they considered appropriate in which situations.
It is important to place this in context: ancient medicine was based on a completely different worldview than modern medicine, such as the theory of the four bodily humors. Statements from this time are therefore a fascinating piece of cultural history – but not evidence of an effect in the modern sense.
Donkey milk in antiquity: more than a drink
Hippocrates is not the only ancient source in which donkey milk appears. It is also mentioned in Roman texts, and according to tradition, both Cleopatra and Poppaea, the wife of Emperor Nero, bathed in donkey milk. Whether these stories are historically accurate in detail is not conclusively proven.
- As food: Donkey milk was available in regions where donkeys were kept, although only in small quantities.
- As a luxury: Because a donkey gives little milk, donkey milk was considered valuable.
- In beauty rituals: Donkey milk baths are known primarily as a legend. Find out more in the article Cleopatra and Donkey Milk Baths: An Ancient Tradition Rediscovered.
What we know about donkey milk today
Today, donkey milk can be objectively described as a food. It is low in fat, contains a relatively high amount of lactose, and naturally contains the proteins lysozyme and lactoferrin.
| Per 100 ml (approx.) | Donkey milk |
|---|---|
| Energy | 35–45 kcal |
| Fat | 0.3–1.8 g (mostly under 1 g) |
| Protein | 1.5–1.9 g |
| Lactose | 6–7 g |
| Calcium | 60–90 mg |
Donkey milk is primarily studied scientifically for its composition. You can find an overview of the research on our page Donkey Milk Research. We explain the exact nutritional values in the article Ingredients and Nutritional Values of Donkey Milk.
How to correctly interpret ancient historical records
Historical texts about food are fascinating. They show how people thought and lived in the past. A few basic principles can help you place them in the proper context:
- Consider the context: Ancient physicians worked without laboratories and without modern research methods.
- Check authorship: Many "Hippocratic" texts were written by various authors.
- Recognize legends: Stories about famous figures have often been embellished later.
- Do not apply them today: Ancient recommendations do not provide any basis for modern nutrition.
Foods do not treat diseases. This applies to donkey milk just as it does to any other food. If you need to follow a special diet due to an illness, please consult your doctor or a nutrition professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Hippocrates really write about donkey milk?
Donkey milk is mentioned in the collection of Hippocratic texts. However, which texts Hippocrates himself wrote is a matter of debate in research.
Can ancient statements be applied today?
No. Ancient medicine was based on different ideas about the body. Ancient texts are a piece of cultural history, not a recommendation for today.
Why was donkey milk valuable back then?
A donkey gives only about 1–2 liters of milk per day in addition to the milk for its foal. This makes donkey milk rare even today.
What is donkey milk from today's perspective?
A food with its own composition: low in fat, with about 6–7 g of lactose per 100 ml, and containing milk protein.
Donkey milk is a food and not a medicine. If you have health-related questions, please consult your doctor.
