1. What is colostrum?

Colostrum is the first milk a cow produces after calving. Rich in antibodies this pre-milk is vital to giving a calf a healthy start to life. When baby calves are born, they are unsteady on their feet and sluggish. After a small amount of colostrum, they become full of energy and vigor. A calf who does not receive colostrum will have a limited chance of survival.

2. Why consume colostrum?

Colostrum is teeming with life giving properties including antibodies, immunoglobulins, transfer factor, anti-aging elements, antibacterial, and anti-pathogenic factors including lactoferrin. Colostrum is not species specific so people can benefit from consuming it. Colostrum tends to be more yellow than regular milk and sometimes will have a pinkish tint to it. Colostrum can be used to boost the immune system. Our family started using it after we learned colostrum pills are recommended to cancer patients to support their immune system. With six children, we are always searching for ways to stay healthy. A cold or flu can run through the entire family rendering us incapable of functioning. Colostrum has helped us treat run of the mill ailments and cut down on trips to the doctors office.

Briefly researching colostrum showed people using it for a variety of immune system illnesses including asthma, arthritis, Crohns disease, gingivitis, colds, chronic fatigue, MS, scleroderma, diabetes, fibromyalgia, candida, bronchitis, dermatitis allergies, and many other conditions. Body builders have used colostrum to help repair muscle tissue. Some have used pre-milk to treat SARS.

3. How much colostrum should I take?

Colostrum is a food. You cannot overdose on it. Some report taking a pint a week to maintain general health. If battling a cold or flu, some have shared consuming more. We generally take colostrum only when we are sick. As our supply builds up we may consider taking some on a regular basis.

4. How can I use colostrum?

Colostrum, known as beestings in Europe, can be consumed fresh. It tastes similar to milk only a bit sweeter. We add our favorite chocolate milk mix and drink. We have also made smoothies with it. Simply add your favorite fruit with vanilla and honey. Colostrum is an energizing snack. We have found taking it to close to bed time interferes with sleep. We keep the colostrum frozen to have a good supply throughout the year. In the past, we have frozen pint and quart size amounts. We plan to freeze some in one ounce cubes to make it easier to use.

Colostrum Pudding
• 4 cups fresh colostrum
• 1/4 teaspon salt
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
• A dash or two of nutmeg

Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly and pour them into a baking dish. Set the dish in a pan of water and heat it at 325° until the custard is firm. Delicious and very nutritious!

Visit http://www.westonaprice.org/foodfeatures/colostrum.html for more ways to cook with colostrum.