Abdullah Al-Yahya

Okaz/Saudi Gazette



ABHA – Preliminary results of a research conducted by experts and scientists indicate that the structure of amino acids in camel milk is similar to that of insulin. The percentage of fats in camel meat is very little and it lacks saturated amino acids.



Among the attributes of camel milk is that it reduces the risk of heart disease. The percentage of casein is 70 percent of proteins in camel milk, something which makes it easier to digest compared to cow milk in which casein is 80 percent. Patients with asthma, diabetes, ulcers in the digestive system, impotence and other diseases are advised to drink camel milk, which also spurs hair growth.



Well-known camel breeder in Sabya governorate Yahya Al-Bariqi said camel milk has many benefits. “It is rich in Vitamin A and D and boosts potency. Also, it is good for patients with diabetes and hypertension. A she-camel’s urine has many benefits for victims of magic spells and sorcery, aside from making hair longer and smoother and preventing it from falling.”



Al-Bariqi is raising over 100 camels in Sabya. It was a hobby he inherited from his father. He spends SR18,000 a month for feeding them. However, he makes it clear that his objective is not trade but to breed and increase the number of camels.



“I have four male camels so they can mate with the female ones but the male camels are kept 200 kilometers away from the others. They don’t mingle except during the breeding season. A she-camel is transported to the male camels on a truck after making costly safety arrangements. The cost of transporting a she-camel is around SR700 and it takes nearly eight hours.”



Another camel breeder, Al-Hassan Al-Bariqi, touched on the characteristics of camels and their benefits.



Al-Bariqi said he has two kinds of camels – Al-Arayik, a breed known for its white color and tasty milk, and Al-Sawahili, which is dark brown. He said the price of a camel ranges from SR500,000 to SR1 million.



He said a she-camel does not give milk except when its young one is near her.



“Without the young one, no milk can be obtained from the she-camel at all. We keep the skin of the dead young camel. When we want to milk a she-camel, we let her smell the skin. These are among Allah’s miracles. Without the skin of the dead young camel, one cannot come near the she-camel. Camels are very loyal to their owner. However, they hate him vehemently if he harms them,” he said.

He claimed that camel milk cures osteoporosis.



The froth from camel milk is useful for increasing sperm count if it is consumed after placing it on Ajwa dates from Madinah.



“The treatment is highly effective and beneficial,” he said.