Therapeutic & Clinical Uses of Donkey Milk

Donkey milk is the only animal milk consistently shown in clinical studies to be a safe and effective substitute for human milk in infants with severe allergies and certain medical conditions.

1. Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) & Multiple Food Allergies

Evidence level: High (multiple RCTs and long-term cohort studies)
• Safe and well-tolerated in >90 % of children with IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated CMPA
• European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and Italian Society of Paediatric Allergy recognize donkey milk as the first-choice alternative when human milk is unavailable
• Success rate significantly higher than extensively hydrolyzed formulas or soy/rice formulas in some studies

2. Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) & Inflammatory Skin Diseases

• Oral donkey milk reduces SCORAD index in children with moderate–severe atopic dermatitis
• Topical donkey milk cosmetics (creams, soaps) clinically proven to improve psoriasis, eczema, and acne (high lysozyme + lactoferrin + anti-inflammatory peptides)

3. Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) & Eosinophilic Disorders

• One of the few milks tolerated by infants with FPIES to cow milk and extensively hydrolyzed formulas
• Used successfully in eosinophilic esophagitis and gastroenteritis when other alternatives fail

4. Geriatric Nutrition & Sarcopenia

• High whey protein + excellent amino-acid profile + low renal load → ideal for elderly patients
• Improves muscle protein synthesis and reduces inflammation markers in frail elderly (pilot studies)

5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis)

• Small clinical trials and case series show symptom improvement and reduction of inflammatory markers (CRP, calprotectin) when donkey milk replaces cow milk
• Anti-inflammatory peptides and high lactoferrin are believed responsible

6. Immune Modulation & Recurrent Infections

• Extremely high lysozyme (up to 4 g/L) and lactoferrin → strong antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal action
• Used as adjuvant in children with recurrent respiratory infections
• Contains natural immunoglobulins and nucleotides that enhance mucosal immunity

7. Anti-Aging & Cosmetic Dermatology

• Cleopatra’s legendary beauty secret — now validated: donkey milk baths and creams improve skin hydration, elasticity, and wound healing
• Rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, D, E and omega-3/6 fatty acids
• Commercial donkey-milk cosmetics widely sold in Italy, France, Greece, Korea

8. Emerging & Investigational Uses

Condition	Current Evidence
Type 1 diabetes	Preliminary — possible immunomodulatory effect (animal models + small cohorts)
Autism spectrum disorders	Anecdotal + very small open trials; needs proper RCTs
Cancer supportive care	In vitro antitumor activity of lactoferrin/peptides; no human trials yet
Tuberculosis adjunct therapy	Historical use in sanatoria; high lysozyme may help

Summary of Clinical Advantages

• Closest composition and protein profile to human milk
• Extremely low allergenicity (β-lactoglobulin almost absent)
• Highest natural lysozyme content of any milk (1,000–4,000× cow milk)
• High lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, and anti-inflammatory peptides
• Excellent palatability — children accept it better than hydrolyzed formulas
• No adverse effects reported in >30 years of pediatric clinical use in Europe

Because of these properties, donkey milk is no longer just a “historical curiosity” — it is now produced under pharmaceutical-grade standards in Italy, France, Belgium, and Greece and is prescribed in hospitals for specific medical conditions.

Read also Chemistry of Donkey Milk