Ashtang Sangraha, an ancient text of Ayurveda by Maharshi Vagbhata, has a complete section called Ksheer Varga that describes milk and milk products and Ayurveda identifies milk from Indian breeds of cows as the best (Ksheera varge agryam) among the eight different types of milk available from animal sources viz., cow, buffalo, goat, sheep, camel, elephant, horse, and donkey which all have their own unique properties.

The Karaka Samhita, Ayurvedic text composed by Sage Karaka at least 2000 years back, also lists these eight sources of milk along with the difference in their qualities and considers cow’s milk as the best for its ability to increase ojas, the essence of our immunity and vitality.

Cow milk is a perfect food and drink as it is a nutrient rich elixir and the most sa:ttvik (pure/purifying) of all.