Donkey milk soap has a long and fascinating history dating back to ancient times.
The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all valued the moisturizing and nourishing properties of donkey milk, and used it in various beauty treatments. One of the most famous historical figures associated with donkey milk is Cleopatra, the legendary queen of Egypt. She was known for taking milk baths to keep her skin looking youthful and radiant, and it is believed that she favored donkey milk over other types of milk.
Donkey milk was also used in ancient Rome, where it was considered a luxury item and was used by the upper classes for its skin-softening properties. Roman historian Pliny the Elder wrote about the virtues of donkey milk in his famous work, "Natural History." (The largest single work to have survived from the Roman Empire to the modern day, the Natural History compiles information gleaned from other ancient authors). Pliny the Elder mentions donkey milk in his "Natural History" books, specifically in Book 28. He describes it as a valuable and rare commodity, which was used for medicinal purposes and believed to have a variety of health benefits. According to Pliny, donkey milk was considered to be more nutritious and easier to digest than cow's milk, and it was often given to people who were sick or weak. He also notes that it was used to treat a variety of ailments, including fevers, liver problems, and poisoning. Pliny goes on to describe the process of milking donkeys, noting that they were often difficult to milk and that the milk had to be collected by hand. He also notes that donkey milk was expensive and considered a luxury item, with only the wealthy able to afford it. Overall, Pliny the Elder's description of donkey milk in his "Natural History" books highlights the perceived health benefits and rarity of this commodity in ancient times.
Donkey milk soap became popular in France during the 19th century, when it was believed to have numerous health and beauty benefits. It was especially popular among the upper classes, who could afford the luxury item. The French Queen Marie Antionette was known to be a big fan of donkey milk soap and used it regularly to maintain her complexion. This helped to popularize the use of the soap among the aristocracy and other wealthy individuals.
Donkey milk soap was also used for its moisturizing and anti-aging properties. The milk contains high levels of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D, and E, as well as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These nutrients were believed to help nourish and rejuvenate the skin, leaving it soft, supple, and youthful-looking. In addition to its cosmetic uses, donkey milk soap was also believed to have medicinal properties. It was often used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as to soothe burns and other types of skin irritation.
According to legend, Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt, was known to bathe in donkey milk to maintain her beauty and youthfulness. The story goes that she would require 700 donkeys to be milked every day in order to have enough milk to fill her bath.
