Nutritional and Therapeutic Values of Cow Milk: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Milk is the most necessary food for humans because it provides almost all nutrients such as the most nutritious protein, calcium, essential fatty acids, water-soluble vitamins, and other bioactive compounds responsible for maintaining health and other physiological functions. Milk has also been used effectively in the Unani system of medicine for centuries to improve complexion and to treat other ailments (especially dermatological disorders). For skin brightening, Unani physicians mentioned the use of the paste made up of powdered tukhm e kharpazah (seeds of musk melon), aarad e nakhud (powdered chickpea) each 2 parts, arad e baqla(powdered broad beans), aarad e jau (powdered barley) each 1 part, adas muqashshar (powdered lentil), nishasta (corn flour), kateera (tragacanth gum) each half part, tukhm e turb (radish seeds) 1/4th part, za’fran (saffron) a little and milk at night on the face and advice to wash the face with the decoction of banafsha (sweet violet) and post kharpaza (musk melon fruit epicarp) in the morning. Milk has several therapeutic actions too e.g. Musammin e Badan (adipogenous), Muhallil (anti-inflammatory), Mugharri (glutinous- Mugharri drug is a cold and dry substance with a small amount of viscid moisture that coats the surface and constricts pores. It moisturizes the skin and makes it appear lighter), Mohsin e laun (fairness activity), Ghassal (irrigator), Tiryaq (antidote), and Muqawwi (general tonic), etc. There are some scientific reports on the anti-hyperpigmentation effect of cow milk in which a paste of cow milk and powdered roasted red lentils was tested to enhance the complexion. They found significantly effective result on the Fitzpatrick scale, enhanced complexion, and reduced tanning as well as dullness. The main objective of this article is to present cow milk's nutritional and therapeutic activity. Keywords: Cow milk, Unani medicine, Nutrition, Skin Tanning, Skin Brightening.