The use of donkey milk in traditional medicine is deeply rooted in the Peruvian highlands; however, there is also knowledge of its medicinal use in other countries, such as in Europe: “recently the commercialization and consumption of this product has begun in Spain. This fact, supported by a tradition not yet forgotten, can contribute significantly to the conservation of our native breeds, currently in danger of extinction” (Villalobos and González, 2014). This research contrasts with the situation in Bolivia, an Andean country like Peru, where “the belief that donkey milk has healing powers is very popular. For this reason, it is common to see farmers with their freshly milked animals in the streets of some cities” (InnovaPress Noticias, 2021). Globally, Andean communities (those living in the highest areas, above 2700 meters above sea level, and Quechua speakers) stand out as frequent consumers of donkey milk.

Andean communities consume frequently; in Bolivia according to Cañipa (2016), responsible for “Breastfeeding of the Ministry of Health, explained that ‘there is no scientific study that proves this healing power of donkey milk… but we have knowledge that it has more protein, and it may be because it has more colostrum’. The statement of the health personnel contradicts with the interview in Ayacucho (Peru) during the research who relates a deeply rooted tradition in his community, stating: “Since always my parents and the people of the village used to take it for the lungs as a remedy, for asthma and flu.” The interview reveals the strength of the intergenerational transmission of traditional medical knowledge, where the practice of using donkey milk for respiratory conditions is not a novelty, but an ancestral custom learned and practiced within the family nucleus and the community. The reference to “the people of the village” underscores the communal and accessible nature of this remedy, based on empirical observation of its effectiveness over time.

Scientific research on donkey milk and other animals of the same species, valuable raw materials in Andean medicine, could reveal diseases that go unnoticed by farmers. In addition, the donkey, a source of milk for commercialization, often lacks adequate care. Martini (2019) recommend a “prevention is based on clinical examination of mares before service, which allows segregating those that show clinical signs. However, the preventive management described does not eliminate the possibility of contagion of latently infected animals.” The interviewee reveals and contradicts science as a direct economic motivation for her activity: “I started selling donkey milk in Ayacucho to support my family.” This statement underscores how a local tradition or available resource can become a source of livelihood. It also geographically locates the practice in Ayacucho, suggesting a specific regional context for the use and trade of this product.

The Andean communities of Peru still practice the traditional consumption of donkey milk strictly for medicinal purposes. This ancestral form of use contrasts with scientific approaches developed in other parts of the world, where donkey milk is studied through experimental methods. In this context, interviews with key stakeholders are essential to understanding the continuity and value of this local knowledge. One of the interviewees states: “A small bottle of milk costs 10 soles (three dollars). There are three of us who always sell it. Each day we milk five donkeys, and all the milk gets sold—there’s never any left. I’m here from 8 or 9 a.m. until 2 or 3 p.m., or until the milk runs out.” This interview reveals a daily and organized practice of selling donkey milk, with consistent local demand. Three individuals actively participate in the commercialization process, milking five donkeys a day and selling the entire production. This not only reflects the cultural and medicinal value placed on the product but also its economic importance as a stable source of income for the families involved.

Andean culture possesses love of nature, veneration of the earth and consideration of plants as kausay (life) knowledge that is transmitted from generation to generation, mainly through the Quechua and Aymara languages, which lack official writing. Cases have been reported such as “the Aymara say that it cures the lungs and strengthens the immune system. But that tradition is fading fast. Although this woman, Julia Flores, is determined to save the popular practice of drinking donkey milk” (Flores, 2018). The report reflects how Aymara ancestral medicinal knowledge, such as the use of donkey milk to strengthen health, is disappearing. However, it is a cultural resistance to preserve these practices, valuing traditional knowledge in the face of its possible oblivion due to modernization or generational disinterest.

The interview with a vendor—like most of them, a woman who sells donkey milk on the public street—states the following: “Everyone buys from me: young people, adults, students, men and women. They ask me from different parts of Peru to send them donkey milk and also the preparation, another remedy made with the same donkey milk” This testimony from an Ayacucho woman shows the diversity of people interested in natural products made with donkey milk, which demonstrates not only the validity of certain traditional knowledge. This contrasts with what is mentioned in an article in InnovaPress Noticias (2021), which states that “in Bolivia, the belief that donkey milk has curative powers is very popular. For this reason, it is common to see farmers with their freshly milked animals in the streets of some cities, not only in La Paz.” A donkey milk vendor complements what another vendor mentioned in the interview: “I come from San Lorenzo Socos; I collect donkey milk from the community. At 5 o’clock in the morning they start milking the donkeys; from each donkey they take two small bottles.” This information supports the research of Badin et al. (2022), who state that “the components of interest in donkey milk, the water-soluble vitamins of the B group, are present in relevant quantities; among them, vitamin B2, B6 and B8 stand out”.

The sale of donkey milk is ambulatory, takes place on public streets and lacks sanitary control. Even so, there are potential customers who buy it for consumption, especially for their children, highlighting its supposed curative power related to the development of intelligence. This information contrasts with Garhwal et al. (2023), who state that “donkey milk has peculiar nutritional qualities, similar to those of mother’s milk. Therefore, it can be considered an excellent substitute. In the last decade, extensive research has been carried out on the milk of various donkey breeds.” This observation is complemented by an interview with a donkey milk vendor in the second block of Jiron 28 de Julio, who states the following: “We do not process anything, everything is pure and natural so that it can be drunk at any time, it only lasts a day, and at night it can start to vinegar, we have not tried to store it in the refrigerator because we do not have it.” This situation is also evident in Figure 1.

The inhabitants of the Peruvian Andes are characterized by the frequent use of natural medicine as part of their ancestral culture. In the interview, a segmented consumption is mentioned: “women and men from 18 to 65 years of age for medical purposes and alternative natural medicine.” In view of this traditional practice, it is important to consider scientific advances, as indicated by Khan et al. (2024): “donkey milk represents an interesting option for healthy eating, thanks to its unique nutritional profile and potential therapeutic properties. However, in-depth studies are still required.” The paper highlights the nutritional and therapeutic value of donkey milk, recognizing it as a healthy alternative. However, it also points out the need for more rigorous research to scientifically support its benefits, especially in view of its traditional use and growing interest as a natural medicine in different communities.

Traditional medicine contrasts with the scientific perspective regarding donkey milk consumption. For example, “donkey milk is said to be very similar to breast milk, with great health benefits. In the late 20th century, it was used to feed orphaned and sick children in European countries” (Bhairav, 2020). This vision coincides with the promotions made by vendors, who claim that “milk is very useful when you have a cough, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, flu, colds, for anemia. Also, when you have low defenses and for many other diseases” (Carrión, 2023). The expression collected in the interview complements the work carried out on the importance of donkey milk in the world: “we bring it in big natural bottles, it has nothing else, it is drunk instantly at any time of the day, then it is vinegared”.

This research work does not aim to analyze the chemical and biological components of specialized sciences. It focuses on traditional transmitted by the yachaq (wise man of the people), folkloric and natural medicine, defended by those who produce, sell and consume it. This perspective is far removed from the results obtained by Khan et al. (2024): “the production and composition of donkey milk is closely related to the specific breed of the animals involved. Studies have shown that certain breeds exhibit markedly higher milk yields compared to others.” The contribution highlights that the breed of the animal significantly influences the quantity and quality of donkey milk produced. This finding is key to selecting breeds with higher yields, especially in contexts where nutritional or medicinal benefits are sought. Genetic variability has a direct impact on its commercial value.

Health is a highly valued asset, and when a person faces an illness, he or she seeks to be cured by any means available. In this context, resorting to traditional medicine becomes a common option, since its promoters usually offer life expectancy. However, this practice is contradicted by Vega (2014), who states that “there is no scientific evidence that proves that donkey milk cures the disease.” Despite this, the therapeutic use of this milk is common in the Andes, as confirmed by an-interview with another vendor: “Another type of remedy called preparado is also sold, which is based on donkey milk and other ingredients, which are: pollen, iodine, garlic, quion or ginger, wamanripa, eucalyptus, tara, muña, good for tuberculosis, for the lungs with water, for phlegm, for anemia, especially for tuberculosis. The cost of a bottle of 625 is 15 soles (five dollars).” The interview reflects how traditional knowledge combines donkey milk with herbs and other natural inputs to treat respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis.

The promotion of donkey milk in points of sale is done by highlighting its curative properties and its power as a remedy for children. From time to time, intermittently, the exclamation is heard in the streets or near the merchant: “donkey milk! donkey milk!,” seeking to capture the attention of potential customers and motivate them to stop, especially if they are not familiar with this product; meanwhile, other passers-by pass by without paying attention. Thousands of people, including informal vendors and pedestrians, pass daily through areas where donkey milk is sold, without knowing what (Radhakrishnan et al., 2023) discovered: “donkey milk is the best alternative to human milk for children with cow’s milk protein allergy due to its palatability, nutritional adequacy, clinical tolerability and physiological functions as molecules of digestive activity.” The ambulatory sale of donkey milk, extracted in an artisanal way, represents an empirical knowledge that is kept alive in the Peruvian Andes.

Vendors and customers are often doubtful about the authenticity of the donkey milk; they constantly question it and observe whether it really is authentic or how to distinguish it. Several passersby comment that it is not authentic, that it is a hoax for commercial purposes. This perception was confirmed during participant observation. To contrast these doubts, an-interview was conducted, where a saleswoman stated: “If you know, my landlords always know which is donkey milk, goat milk and cow milk, donkey milk is different, it is not as thick as goat milk and cow milk also has a different taste.” From Andean medicine, donkey milk is valued for its healing properties and its link to body balance. In this sense, ancestral wisdom anticipated scientific findings such as those of Bhairav (2020), who points out that “donkey milk contains a very heterogeneous group of molecules including casein, whey proteins, milk fat globule proteins, enzymes and various other minor proteins.” Within this worldview, donkey milk is considered a vital spirit food: its components help to harmonize the organs, strengthen the blood and treat digestive and respiratory imbalances, especially in debilitated children.

This research aims to analyze the essential aspect of donkey milk consumption in the Andes, framed within Andean, folkloric and ancestral medicine. Scientific evidence supports these traditional practices (Martini, 2019) points out that “tolerability is linked to the lower casein content compared to ruminant milks (about 50% of total protein) that give soft clots in the stomach and contribute to better degradability.” The interviewees corroborate modern science. One of them commented: “Some people are surprised when they hear about donkey milk for the first time, but those they know always support me and my countrymen also support me, that is why they give me the milk from their donkeys because they know it cures many diseases”.

The use of the Quechua language is predominant in the Peruvian Andes, especially in the area where the research was conducted. There, customs are transmitted by a yachaq, a wise man of the people. In this context, it is understood that “the Andean community is predominantly Quechua. The singers or the musical group perform mostly in Quechua, the offers of their products, the exhibition of handicrafts in oral Quechua, the religious rituals also take place in Quechua” (Gutiérrez et al., 2024). The language not only communicates, but also preserves identity, traditions, art and spirituality, showing how the ancestral language articulates all aspects of daily and ritual life. The cultural value and diverse perception of donkey milk consumption is highlighted, as evidenced in the interview: “Many people do not know about donkey milk, they are surprised; my countrymen, some say it is good, others are ashamed.” The greater participation of women in the sales was evidenced because they are mothers and have more consumer acceptance. The men help in their community to tame the donkeys and help load the packages onto the bus that goes to the city.

Local knowledge, as a form of ancestral medicine, is not considered a vital element in the Peruvian dairy industry, mainly due to the lack of knowledge and taboos that persist around the consumption of donkey milk. For this reason, donkey milk is sold in an ambulatory and informal way, in the middle of public streets, to those who dare to buy it in view of hundreds of passers-by who pass by the points of sale every day (see Figure 2). In contrast, in some Latin American countries, such as Brazil, donkey milk is in the process of being incorporated into the formal industry. As indicated by Messias et al. (2022), “more studies are still needed to understand the safety and improvement of milk quality to integrate donkey milk into the Brazilian dairy industry.” The research also evidences divided perceptions about donkey milk: while some value it, others are embarrassed. This reflects the cultural tensions between traditional knowledge and the external gaze, showing how certain ancestral knowledge still faces stigmas for its recognition and social validation.

The process of formalizing the use and sale of donkey milk in the Andes, where villagers have no objection to consuming the products derived from their animals, requires both scientific and sanitary improvements. It is essential to prevent the product from being exposed to the open air without refrigeration. The vendors state that they do not have refrigeration in their homes, so they must sell all the jars or bottles prepared for the day, without the option of preserving the product for later sale. In this context, it should be considered that “the donkey industry improves donkey milk production through nutritional manipulation. However, most previous researchers have focused on dairy cows, and few studies on donkeys are available” (Yue et al., 2022). This quote highlights the lack of adequate infrastructure in the sale of donkey milk, which forces female sellers to market the entire product quickly. It also highlights the paucity of studies and research on improving donkey milk production.

Advances in international research, together with the ancestral knowledge of the Andean peoples of Peru and their native language, Quechua, highlight the cultural importance of this knowledge worldwide. In this context, the testimonies gathered through interviews and participant observation reveal a direct relationship with traditional practices. For example, it is stated that “donkey milk has been used for centuries as a remedy for various ailments, such as asthma, joint pain, gastritis and bronchitis” (Radhakrishnan et al., 2023). During one of the interviews, in which responses are generally monosyllabic, a saleswoman commented: “I sell every day in 28, from Monday to Friday, also Saturdays and Sundays I sell, every day the milk runs out, there is never any left.” When dealing with a potential customer interested in buying, the saleswomen are usually more accommodating and detailed, explaining in Quechua all the goodness of the milk, in order to sell all the product, since they cannot take back what is not sold to the countryside, its place of origin.

Andean medicine is highly valued by the local population, especially among native speakers of Quechua and other native languages that are currently facing extinction due to urbanization and the advance of medical science. Nevertheless, this ancestral practice is still in force and represents an encouragement for those suffering from diseases considered incurable. According to testimonies, Andean medicine is not as harmful as conventional drugs. In this context, it is corroborated that “Andean medicine is an important health resource for the local population; it is practiced by lay people themselves, great connoisseurs of medicinal plants and animals, and by specialists such as healers, bonesetters and midwives” (Mathez-Stiefel et al., 2012). This work highlights the value of Andean medicine as an essential resource for health in local communities, exercised by both community members and traditional specialists, who preserve and transmit ancestral knowledge on the use of plants, animals and healing techniques that complement or supplement modern medicine.