The Application of Mare’s Milk in Medicine: Does It Hold a Potential Therapeutic Value?

Maher Ghandour,1 Hans Zollmann,2 Axel Horsch1 1Department of Orthopedics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; 2Kurgestüt Hoher Odenwald, Waldbrunn, GermanyCorrespondence: Axel Horsch, Email [email protected]: This narrative review aims to consolidate and analyze the current body of scientific literature regarding the nutritional value and potential health benefits of mare’s milk, focusing on its impact across various human organ systems. An extensive literature search was conducted across various scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. The search focused on studies related to the composition, nutritional value, and health effects of mare’s milk. Eligibility included human and animal studies reporting health outcomes of mare’s milk (composition-only papers excluded); findings were synthesized qualitatively by organ system with human vs non-human evidence distinguished and microbiological safety (raw vs pasteurized/fermented) summarized. Mare’s milk exhibits a unique nutritional profile, distinct from more common dairy sources such as cow’s milk. It is rich in essential fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals. The review highlights potential health benefits across multiple organ systems, including the central nervous, gastrointestinal, respiratory, renal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, immune, and endocrine systems. Benefits range from improved cognitive function and gut health to enhanced immune response and potential regulation of chronic diseases. The review identifies mare’s milk as a promising alternative dairy source with multiple potential health benefits. However, it also emphasizes the need for more extensive scientific research to validate these benefits. The findings suggest mare’s milk’s potential as a functional food and its therapeutic applications, warranting further investigation in clinical settings.Keywords: Mare’s milk, nutritional benefits, functional food, alternative dairy product, therapeutic applications