Zoopharmacognosy

Zoopharmacognosy

Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre

ZOOPHARMACOGNOSY

Self-Selection of Plants by Animals for Medical Purposes

The notion that animals can self-medicate, when they have access to a variety of herbs, has fascinated mankind for years. It does not require a great stretch of the imagination to expect herbivores to do so. However, there is evidence that the great apes (gorillas, orang utans, chimpanzees) can and do self-medicate and that dogs can also.

International Journal of Primatology (DOI:10.1007/s10764-008-9266-5) describes the use of anti-inflammatory balm by orang-utans. This is reported in the New Scientist.

http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/zoopharmacognosy-natures-pharmacy-used-by-animals-536684.html documents many examples.

We even have our own example, described on our 'herbs' page.

Suffice to say that there appears to be sufficient evidence for self-medication by animals, despite the ridicule poured on the idea from some 'scientific' quarters. This either revolutionises our notions of the wisdom of animals or confirms the power of instinct and learned behaviour, which would also have applied to mankind, prior to our 'scientific' development.

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Last modified: September 26, 2009