S Kumaresan By

PUDUKKOTTAI:Taste this. As much as Rs 500 for just 100 ml of donkey milk and Rs 50 for only two teaspoonfuls. In Illupur and neighbouring villages in the district, donkey milk is being sold for these exorbitant amounts during the last three days. The residents of the area have been consuming the milk believing that it gives immunity and cure from several ailments. However, a Health Department official rejected the theory and said it was just a myth, adding that there was no clinical evidence for this.

Kumar and Sankar, siblings and residents of Vriddhachalam in Cuddalore district, came to Illupur on Monday with four donkeys and started selling donkey milk to residents claiming it gives immunity to human beings.

They said it cures various ailments such as lack of appetite, acidity, eczema, syphilis, scabies, itch, belching, ringworm, insomnia, piles, breathing trouble, asthma and fungal infection. After their pitch, many residents bought the milk and gave it to their children and some aged persons.

Velusamy, a teacher, who had the milk, said, “My father used to give it to me when I was a kid and in my hometown many residents used to have it whenever they suffered from lack of appetite. After their experience and advice, I searched for it in many places. I bought and had it as soon as I chanced upon it.”

Sankar, the owner of the donkeys, said, “I bought a donkey from Madurai for Rs 20,000. In our hometown people go to the riverbed for purchasing the milk. Many of them are our acquaintances and so we could not collect money from them for the milk. So, I came here with my donkeys to sell the milk. Consuming it would be much useful to children and adults who suffer from skin and breathing diseases.”

“Allopathic doctors would not accept any traditional healing method but people know well about it based on the experience of their forefathers. So, they buy and consume it in their own interest,” he added.

Syed Mohidheen, joint director of health (in-charge) said, “Donkey milk does not have the power to cure any disease. It is similar to any other milk.”