In Search for Camel Milk in the Saudi Arabian Desert

I am sure many of you heard about the camel milk  and its benefit for many things, like autism, diabetes, autoimmune disease.

Many children in the spectrum are dealing with immune problems, and some even put immune dysfunction as a root of a problem.

http://stephen-a-christensen.suite101.com/autism-and-immunity-a74010

I know from my own experience that Amin had been sick once or twice a month. I make extreme measures to keep him healthy, but many times regardless what I did, he just got sick. We gave him vitamins , supplements, healthy organic diet, and it seemed like I failed over and over again. We were at the point that when I called the pharmacy for his medicine to be picked up, they knew me by name. Sad, but true. I been searching for alternatives and even considered invasive procedures, but never had the guts to put him in that kind of circumstance.

Back in Florida as I was searching for answers, I came across a study about camel milk. It seemed very interesting, and certainly made sense. I even had a contact email under the article which I emailed right away. To my surprised I got an email back and a phone call  2 days later. Dr. Hinkle instructed me to be very strict with GFC diet, and after 3 months being on the waiting list I will be starting to receive camel milk. I religiously followed all the instructions, got all the new supplements to prep him for the camel milk. In the mean time I started researching more about it, and wanted to start even faster. Sadly, the waiting list is a very long list, and I did not get my camel milk for Amin while I was living in Florida.

According “The Children of Autism” ” Camel milk is very hard to come by. The only known suppliers of camel’s milk are a small group of Amish dairy farmers who supply only a handful of parents of autistic children. Today, the US government is blocking camel milk from being imported into the United States, defended by cow milk lobbying groups and scientists who refuse to recognize studies done outside of US. Borders.“

Dr. Hinkle made a significant change in regards to get camel milk available for parents of autistic children. For me it was still impossible to get any while I was living there, but since I moved the camel milk became more available, at least that is what I taught.

When we arrived here my priority was to track down a place where  I can buy it. Someone told me that there was a natural food store, about 20 minutes away from me, and they sell camel milk there twice a week. Also, I would have to be there by 9 am , b/c people  stand in line to get a hold of camel milk.  Well I got the camel milk, and I made Amin drink it. It took him some time to get used to it, but bribing him with different things  made him eventually drink the milk. There were no side-effects that I can see.We were giving him  three times a day for two weeks.  I saw an article that pasteurized camel milk is still good, but does not have a full effect.  So my search began again, checking what can a raw camel milk do for him, and what negative effect  it may occur with raw camel milk.

I can just hear the gasp some might  let out reading my post about raw camel milk, but ever since I have my son diagnosed I heard many gasps, and it really doesn’t bother me anymore. I know what I am doing, and I am not  jumping into things without research and careful consideration. One must know that camel milk has many benefits.

Camel milk contains  a high potency of anti-viral and anti-bacterial agent. It is  very helpful in regulation of blood sugar, have high content of vitamin C and iron, as well as fatty acids (which we need for our ASD kids) and rich in vitamin B too. These are only few of the benefits that I am mentioning here.

So the search went on, and I was very discouraged when I seen many camels around here,( well not in the city but the outside of the city) and I could not find  anyone who could tell me where can I get raw camel milk. So the search went on, until we just decided to drive out to the desert and if we see camels somewhere we will go there, and ask or bag the person to sell us raw camel milk.

It seemed like a great adventure for the whole family, with some fear injected into it as well. We went anyways for Amin’s sake. Drove out of the city, got through the checkpoint and we were out in the desert.  Finally after 30 minutes of driving we saw some camels grazing around. Now we just had to find how to get off the freeway, and get to the other side of the freeway. It is not as easy as in the USA trust me, but after many minutes we finally found and exit to go and turn around. Once we were in the other direction we  found the exit into the dirt road which we hoped that will lead us to the camels and their owners. At that point I was already continually praying  for our safety return to our home, and started to second guess if the camel milk really worth this type of adventure. The site was not really friendly by any means, so I ordered the kids to just not to look outside the window, rather play with the Ipad.

When we got to the first establishment ( I use this word b/c I really can not find the appropriate word for the place) we asked if they would sell the camel milk to us. While the question was relayed to the man I just realized I have no container to get the milk. My heart sank at that point, and I just wanted to cry.  He told us he would never sell camel milk because it would be wrong from him, so he just want to give us as a gift. He even smiled at that point. He right away got the other helper, and got the “she camel” who was cleaned and they got milk from her. He gave us a container and did not accept any money. I was frantically searched in my backpack for some gift and finally found some small items to give. While he was milking the camel he brought out a rug so we can sit and watch. He was just incredibly kind. When we told him that it is for Amin he even made a dua (asking God for favors) for him to be healed. He told us that we can come  and get milk any time we want to.

Many times I get very discouraged in this new “home” of ours because the way we are being treated, and I am ready to pack up and leave. That day was one of those days that I had enough, and at the end I met this incredible human being. His name is Nasr, and I ask God  to bless him for his kindness in this life and hereafter..ameen.

He told us that drinking raw camel milk might cause diarrhea at first, so take it slow. I gave him one cup of milk that night, and he did well. We did not have any side-effects at all, but we noticed positive effects   already. His eye-contact is much better, he talks more purposefully, and saying things that I have not heard from him before. For example; while I was cooking he was taking something away from Safiyya, and she told him” stop or I call mom” and his answer was “go ahead call mom”. I heard the whole conversation and checked who was talking, and when I saw Safiyya’s open mouth (from surprise) I knew it was Amin. Went back to the kitchen to laugh, so they can not see me.

Now we are in day 4 with our raw camel milk, we been back to get our second dose and hoping to go more often to get Amin what he needs. So far we get enough for him to drink, but I do hope that I will find a closer and reliable place soon to get enough for all of us.

Honestly, the camel milk taste better than the cow milk for me. It has a sweet taste, and the texture is just right. I truly feel that God had blessed us to be able to get this milk for Amin. I have hopes of seeing positive results in him more frequently and steadily.

The travel is not easy where we are, and the environment not so forgiving, but seeing him happy and calm, and talking like a mischievous 8 yrs old boy worth every mile we have to drive, every dead animals we have to see in the desert, and many other things I rather not say.

God willing I will be able to take some pictures in a near future to show you where we are getting our milk. For now, I have none, since I made some pictures not knowing that those were military checkpoints, and the people here doesn’t really like  picture-taking of such establishments. Enough said, as of  now I do not have the courage to take any pictures, but knowing me  that will come around again very soon indeed.

Useful links:

Dr. Hinkle looks forward to all calls and emails and takes time personally to respond to all queries. She may be reached at the following:

Mail: 93 Fearrington Post, Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312 USA

Email: hinkle.millie@gmail.com

Telephone: 1-919-928-0821

http://camelmilkforsale.org

http://autism.healingthresholds.com/research/etiology-autism-and-camel-milk-therapy