>Milk: A Timeless Elixir

Posted by Hetha Organics on

Milk: Nature’s Lifeblood across Cultures and Eras

Milk, especially from cow, is also known as Amrita (the nectar of life). Milk is a fluid produced by mammary glands in female mammals that feed their babies for a period immediately after birth. The milk from domesticated animals is also another source of nutrition for humans; either in liquid form or else processed into other dairy products, such as butter and cheese. The milk consumed in western countries is mostly cow's milk. Milk and milk products are thus important articles of commerce. Important sources of milk, other than the cow, include the sheep and goat, particularly in southern Europe and the Mediterranean region; the water buffalo, domesticated in much of Asia; and the camel, in North Africa and parts of the Middle East. Milk is essentially an emulsion of fat and protein in water, along with dissolved sugar (carbohydrate), minerals, and vitamins. These constituents are present in the milk of all mammals, though their proportions differ from one species to another and within species. The milk of each species seems to be a complete food for its own young for a considerable time after birth. In the stomachs of the young, milk is changed to a soft curd which embraces globules of fat so digestion proceeds with that smoothness not commonly achieved when fat foods are involved.

The Dawn of Milk

Bos indicus are cattle that thrive in a more tropical environment. Bos taurus, on the other hand, are cattle bred for temperate environments. Be that as it may, based upon decomposed fats, which were present on European pot shards attributed to the Neolithic Era-as per the ASPRO chronology, the Neolithic Era runs from 10,000 B.C. to 2000B.C. English and Northern European farmers must have been among the first or earliest groups to start consuming cow's milk. It is possible that the first Aurochs were milked 8,000 to 10,000 years ago in two different parts of the world because domestication is attributed to cow-milking, but probably the first to do so would be European farmers. Thus, humans have consumed cow's milk for about 6,000–8,000 years. As old as human civilization itself, the history of milk as a dietary staple is. It may well have started when animals were first domesticated during the Neolithic Revolution, 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. It was early agricultural societies in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and ancient Egypt who first started keeping cattle, sheep, and goats mainly for meat and hides. However, they soon found the nutritional value of milk and its products, which later became a part of human diets.

Milk: From Ancient Elixirs to Royal Indulgence

Archaeological findings suggest that as early as 6,500 BCE, communities in Mesopotamia practiced milking livestock. In ancient Egypt, milk was a dietary staple for the elite, and murals depict scenes of dairy production. The Indus Valley Civilization, known for its advanced urban planning and agriculture, also made significant use of milk and dairy products. In ancient Greece and Rome, milk was not only a source of nutrition but also associated with luxury and abundance. While the Greeks valued milk for its health benefits, Romans popularized its use in cheeses and fermented beverages. During the Middle Ages, milk became more accessible to rural European populations. Despite limited storage options, milk was consumed fresh or processed into butter, cheese, and other preserved products. These dairy products played a critical role in sustaining communities, especially during harsh winters. The Islamic Golden Age also saw milk being used in innovative ways, including the development of early ice creams and milk-based desserts. Milk, mixed with fruits and honey, became a symbol of opulence in the royal courts of the Middle East.

The Healing Wonders of Cow's Milk

According to ancient healing traditions, milk from different cows is believed to have different effects on the body. The milk of a black cow is said to alleviate vayu and is excellent for patients. White cow's milk aggravates kapha, while red cow's milk aggravates vayu. The milk of a brown cow helps balance vayu and pitta. Milk from a recently calved cow is especially useful for respiratory ailments. In addition, the process of boiling milk in certain metals is said to increase its curative powers: copper removes vayu, gold removes pitta, silver removes kapha, and bronze increases blood flow. As rain extinguishes a forest fire, milk can calm a patient suffering from fever and weakness caused by fasting, and helps him recover. After curdling cow's milk into paneer, the remaining water, called morat, is useful in treating different diseases. Besides, medicated milk, be it cold, hot, or warm, just after milking or even milk foam collected while churning is said to act like nectar for fever patients or those suffering from digestive disorders, especially in the case of weaker digestion. Cow's milk is also valued for its blood-purifying properties, providing relief from a host of ailments, especially during old age. Moreover, applying cream from cow's milk to hair keeps it shining and black. Other uses included turmeric-milk, meant to ease aches and support fracture healing; milk with sugar was also considered to reverse the effects of intoxication by dhatura. In these practices lies the testament that cow's milk is medicinally versatile and widely used for human health and cure.

Hera's Cosmic Spill: Mythological Origin of the Milky Way

In Greek mythology, milk has a cosmic and divine significance, most famously associated with the creation of the Milky Way galaxy. The story begins with Hera, the queen of the gods and wife of Zeus. According to the myth, Zeus brought the infant Heracles (Hercules), his son born from an affair with the mortal woman Alcmene, to Hera while she was sleeping. Zeus wanted Heracles to be nursed by Hera so that he could obtain divine strength and immortality from her milk. Hera, waking up to find the child suckling at her breast, pushed him away in anger. The force of the push sent her milk spouting across the heavens, where it became the band of stars we know as the Milky Way. This myth elevates the importance of milk beyond the earthy realm and symbolizes its divine power and nurturing essence. Additionally, the Greek myth tells that milk provides nourishment for heroes and gods. Milk was treated as sacred life-giving nourishment that many offered to their gods and gods in ritual sacrifice. Such cosmic origin of Milky Way enhances that ancient Greeks used to regard much respect to the milk; relating it with a creation of powers and the God.

Hetha A2 Milk: Ethical, Organic, and Pure from Indigenous Desi Cows

Hetha offers fresh, raw organic A2 milk sourced exclusively from indigenous desi cows such as Gir, Sahiwal, and Tharparkar. We take pride in delivering milk of the highest quality, with the assurance that you receive milk free from hormones, chemicals, and injections. Our milk is carefully processed to preserve its purity, and we recommend boiling it upon receipt for optimal freshness and safety. Hetha is a National Gopal Ratna award-winning organization, which runs one of India's largest private indigenous cow herds and supports over 1000 indigenous cows. The practice is completely ethical, ensuring that half the milk is reserved for the calf, thereby balancing and naturally providing for dairy farming. We operate independently without donation and provide our old cows and bulls with a loving and secure home. We care for them with healthy, organic fodder all year round. By purchasing A2 milk from Hetha, you will be supporting sustainable and ethical farming practices that have given priority to animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

 


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