Sunday, January 28, 2018

Camel Farm and Camel Milk Healing


Last week, I joined a day trip organized by one of the two  clubs for senior residents in my hometown. The trip included several attractions in the northern  part of the Negev (desert) area. : a camel farm, , the agricultural settlement "Nebatim" with its indian Cochin jewish community and exuisite synagogue, the remains of ancient nabatien "Mamshit" town , and the black american-liberian Hebrew community in Dimona city.

Our first stop was at the camel farm near the bedouin village Tarabin. The sole objective of this farm is the production of camel milk. It is believed (on the basis of long, thorough research) that the composition of this milk is closest to that of human mother milk, hence its miraculous properties. It can combat almost any known health issue and inflammation.


The camel Abraham  at the entrance to the farm


round water well near the camel

too scared to go closer to the camel

We were greeted by the manager and chemist Eyal who showed us around ( bedouin tents, camel pens, neat toilets ),  gave us a lecture on the farm and its product- camel milk , and finally demonstrated the act of feeding the camels in the pens.

chairs and tables for a bite and a drink

several tents like this one with chairs  for visitors attending lectures
.

toilets; a round pool of water nearby

Upon arrival, three bedouin workers offered us tiny cups of traditional black coffee/tea, prepared on three pots on a stove behind them. On their left  - the products' selling tent: food and cosmetics.


bedouin workers offering coffee/tea to visitors; see the pots

food section: among other food items, desserts for 15 shekel each:
 malabi(milk pudding), kadaif (turkish dessert),milk jam, cheese cake

fridge with cold drinks

cosmetics section

A young bedouin woman was standing by a stove,making thin pita bread by stretching the dough on the dome of the stove; then filled it with 'labaneh' (low fat, sour, youghurt-based spread ) to which she added olive oil and za'ater (safron spice mix); turned it into a roll,  and sold it to the visitors for 15 shekel (about $4) each. Very tasty, healthy snack. The druze and bedouin women are experts in making this kind of snack.


Bedouin woman in action- making the pita for the roll


Never heard of the  cosmetic line 'Desert Healer' before. That's because it is not sold in shops or advertised in the media. It's mainly exported, sold on the farm , or ordered by phone/online by those who know about it. The lotions, creams and soaps are made of camel milk, and approved by the Ministry of Health.


women  visitors buying cosmetics

Eyal and assistant counting the money

At the end of the lecture , the bedouin woman spread some cream, with a stick, on every visitor's hand to give each the opportunity to test its effect on the skin.

end of Eyal's lecture; the bedouin woman with a jar of cream 

There were some 20 female camels in the pens. There usually are more, and 'serviced'  by one single male camel , during breeding time. After milking the camels, the milk is bottled and packaged for delivery to customers.



sending a kiss to the 'surprised looking' camel


Eyal with the food (grains) for the camels

Eyal watching a visitor feeding the camels

All in all, a very enjoyable visit!

*The farm management has got a website: www.camels-milk.com and also phone numbers for consultation with the research team.



33 comments:

  1. Very neat. I have always had a love of camels which goes back to petting my first one at a game farm when I was four. It licked me on the face lol. I was shocked but happy. Glad to see they can make so many different things from the camel milk

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    1. It must have been some short- sized camel; these at the farm were giants with long necks.I wasn't too keen to approach them.

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  2. They are just amazing animals. I would never have thought of camel milk being used like this!

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    1. The info about the camel milk was new to me too. The chemist said it can combat major diseses: diabetes, cancer,digestive disorders etc...

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  3. Camel milk is becoming quite popular here. The first commercial dairy producing camel milk began in 2006, on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland - an area in which I once lived...https://qcamel.com.au/

    There are more commercial producers now...selling camel milk throughout Australia.

    Another interesting post, DUTA...I always enjoy your posts. :)

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    1. It's good to know that Israel is not alone in this.
      Anyway, I was thinking about this: it can fight cancer but it can't fight baldness and put some hair on Eyal's head?

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  4. This is amazing news. I believe it works too. When we moved to home over 25 years ago, my daughter just entered puberty and her cycle, sporadic. We raised goats and the rich goat milk healed her beautifully and quick. Were you impressed with the hand cream?

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    1. Yes, goat milk is also known as solving health problems.
      I'm afraid I'm no longer impressed by any cream. On the hand they're all wonderful but when it comes to face, that's another matter.
      Anyway, camel milk cream is supposed to heal skin conditions, and sadly, there are plenty of them.

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  5. Oh my goodness! A whole new world! Or rather old new world as this post is so transporting and the same time I never knew such a place!!! From the title, I just knew I would love this journey and visit to the Camel Milk farm thru your posting!! Abraham, the well, the milk products, everything just opens up the pages of the stories of the Bible and the land of Milk and honey that I have been reading about!! So glad also to hear that you had such an enjoyable visit!! I can`t wait to go to Israel!! Blessings and Love!!

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  6. Indeed, it reminds us of biblical times, and as you're a Bible lover it's a nice place for you to visit.

    Usually, people don't go on their own to such places, but in groups; so, if you intend to come with a group you might suggest a visit to one of these camel farms (there are several in the south of Israel),or book some organized tour in Israel.

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  7. In incredibly informative post on Negev desert,Bedouins,Camels & camel milk,amazing properties of camel milk,camel milk food products & cosmetics.Transports one back to the age old traditional customs & practices of Bedouin Arabs in the desert. How are camels milks - manually by hand or mechanized ? It great to note that Arabs coexist peacefully inside Israel.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. Indeed, arabs, druze, bedouin, jews can pecefully coexist provided politicians don't interfere. Politics is the source of all evil, if you ask me.

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  8. They are so sweet looking, but I bet they aren't!
    What a lovely tour!

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  9. My first encounter with camels was years ago, in the Sinai desert. I was much younger, but even then I kept a safe distance from them. I took photos but daren't climb on their back.

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  10. Bom dia, passeio agradável e bem organizado na visita ao parque com camelos, estes são meigos com o ser humano, são animais lindos.
    As fotos estão lindas e perfeitas na qualidade.
    Continuação de boa semana,
    A

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    1. The tour was indeed well-organized, and the camels are beautiful animals. Glad you like my photos.
      Thanks for stopping by.

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  11. Great post, Duta! I have always loved camels for some reason, and that irritates our older son to no end. He can't stand them so I have to remind him on Wednesdays that it's "hump day" and send him a camel pic sometimes. :-) This would be a great place to visit and to get a tour of the farm and the lecture. Interesting with the cream, I bet it's good, but a surprise with camel milk. I had no idea. So I've learned something new today, thanks to you, Duta!

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    1. Thank you, Pam. Your son is not alone in his dislike of camels. I know a few people that can't stand camels either. Each to his own, as they say.

      I had some vague idea about camel milk therapy, but didn't know it can fight major disease such as diabetes and cancer. That surprised me.

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  12. This camel farm sounds so interesting, Duta. I didn't realize their milk was similar to mother's milk. Mother' milk has many good health benefits for baby, and that's why I nursed all three of my children. I would love to see all the camels on this farm. My mom visited Egypt in her 70's, and rode a camel, which surprised us all. This sounds like it was a wonderful experience for you, Duta.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Riding a camel is a popular attraction in the Middle East, but we were a group of senior citizens and that wasn't arranged for us. Kudos to your Mom!

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  13. Hello Duta, I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Such an interesting visit. I didn't know that about camel's milk and I love learning new things. Thank you :D)

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    1. I'm glad of both: you've enjoyed the reading and felt like learning a new thing (camel milk benefit).
      Thanks for stopping by.

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  14. The camel's milk is magical!
    Never have thought before.

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    1. Yes, one might say so. It is believed to perform miracles in cases of major illnesses.

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  15. Glad to hear from you Duta, I am so upset with this President, he is a no class jerk. I always wanted to ride a camel, nearest was to somle a camel cig. Haha Yvonne

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    1. Don't be upset by any president! Keep away from politics and politicians, and your life 'll be a better one.
      It's not too late to ride a camel, if you feel like it.

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  16. Wow! what an interesting trip. I never heard of camel farms or milk. Thanks for showing this. The pita bread looked good.

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    1. The pita+ labaneh spread = the best part. LOL. One could choose chocolate or halva spread instead, but most people prefer the authentic thing.

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  17. A Camel Farm? Hmmm, that is something I never would have thought existed. Did you buy any of the lotion? Such interesting pictures, I'm sure it was a educational and fun day!

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    1. Well, Alicia dear, there are several camel farms in the desert area of Israel. These farms are great fun for kids and tourists, and help the bedouins earn a living.The visits are adjusted to the type of visitors: tourists/kids wish to climb a camel and have a selfie. We were elderly people, and had other objectives.
      It was indeed an educational day, and I did buy some tiny jar of lotion, out of curiosity.

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  18. I always wanted me a camel, and an alpaca too! Of course, coons and penguins are on the list as well...

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    1. Several years ago, I visited an alpaca farm too (Wrote a post on it). Quite an experience! I recommend it, especially to those with young children.

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