Chimpanzees ‘self-medicate’ with healing plants

By Victoria Gill@vic_gillScience correspondent, BBC News
Elodie Freymann A chimpanzee sits in a tree in the forests of Uganda, eating fruitElodie Freymann

The researchers observed the chimps to see what they sought out to eat

Wild chimpanzees eat plants that have pain-relieving and anti-bacterial properties to heal themselves, according to scientists.

They described their “detective work” in the forests of Uganda – observing animals that appeared injured or sick to work out whether they were self-medicating with plants.

When an injured animal sought out something specific from the forest to eat, the researchers collected samples of that plant and had it analysed. Most of the plants tested turned out to have antibacterial properties.

The scientists, who published their findings in the journal PLOS One, think the chimps could even help in the search for new medicines.

Elodie Freymann A wild chimpanzee holds its arm and appears uncomfortable Elodie Freymann

Chimpanzees that showed signs of injury or illness were the focus of the study

“We can’t test everything in these forests for their medicinal properties, lead researcher Dr Elodie Freymann, from the University of Oxford, said. “So why not test the plants that we have this information about – plants the chimps are seeking out?”

Over the past four years, Dr Freymann has spent months at a time following and carefully observing two communities of wild chimpanzees in Budongo Central Forest Reserve.

As well as looking for signs of pain – an animal limping or holding its body in an unusual way – she and her colleagues collected samples of droppings and urine to check for illness and infection.

They paid particular attention when an injured or ill chimpanzee sought out something they do not normally eat – such as tree bark or fruit skin.

“We were looking for these behavioural clues that the plants might be medicinal,” Dr Freymann explained.

She described one particular chimp – a male – that had a badly wounded hand.

Austen Deery A scientist takes a sample of bark from a tree in Budongo Central Forest Reserve, UgandaAusten Deery

Dr Elodie Freymann took samples from the trees and plants that chimpanzees sought out

“He wasn’t using the hand to walk, he was limping,” she recalled. While the rest of this animal’s group were sitting around eating, the injured chimp limped away looking for ferns. “He was the only chimp to seek out and eat these ferns.”

The researchers collected and analysed the fern – a plant called Christella parasitica, which turned out to have potent anti-inflammatory properties.

In total, the researchers collected 17 samples from 13 different plant species and sent them to be tested by Dr Fabien Schultz, at the Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

That revealed that almost 90% of the extracts inhibited bacterial growth, and a third had natural anti-inflammatory properties, meaning they could reduce pain and promote healing.

All the injured and ill chimps reported in this study fully recovered, Dr Freymann was happy to report. “The one who ate ferns was using his hand again within the next few days,” she explained.

“Of course, we can’t 100% prove that any of these cases were a direct result of eating these resources,” she told BBC News.

“But it highlights the medicinal knowledge that can be gained from observing other species in the wild and underscores the urgent need to preserve these ‘forest pharmacies’ for future generations.”

Austen Deery Researchers walk through a forest in UgandaAusten Deery

The researchers say the study could reveal some new medicinal plants in these threatened forests



Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

Duterte's first ICC appearance set for Friday

Duterte’s first ICC appearance set for Friday | World News

Rodrigo Duterte’s first appearance at the International Criminal Court has been set for Friday, the court said, as the former Philippines president faces crimes against humanity charges over his deadly war on drugs. Duterte’s first ICC appearance set for Friday “The Chamber considers it appropriate for the first appearance of Mr Duterte to take place

BBC investigates allegations of a massacre

BBC investigates allegations of a massacre

Orla Guerin BBC News, Goma Freddy Mukuza / Facebook Rapper Freddy Mukuza, who was married with two children, was moving house on the day he was killed Freddy Mukuza’s final moments were witnessed by a friend, who stood helpless, 50m (160 ft) away. When he heard that Freddy had been shot – by M23 rebels

Syria gets temporary constitution for five-year transition

Syria gets temporary constitution for five-year transition

Reuters Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said he hoped the move would be the start of “a new history for Syria” Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has signed a constitutional declaration covering a five-year transitional period, three months after his Islamist group led the rebel offensive that overthrew Bashar al-Assad. The document says Islam is the

High stakes as Iran nuclear issue reaches crunch moment

High stakes as Iran nuclear issue reaches crunch moment

Caroline Hawley BBC diplomatic correspondent Reuters Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has rejected the idea of negotiations with the US over its nuclear programme Almost a decade since world powers sealed a historic deal to limit the Iranian nuclear programme, this is a crunch moment for Iran and the international community. The country is

Sean "Diddy" Combs

Cassie’s Lawyer Slams Diddy’s Claims That Her Assault Video Was Altered: ‘Disingenuous Argument’

A lawyer for Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ ex-girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, has responded to the rapper’s claims that the 2016 assault video released by CNN was edited. The attorney, Douglas Wigdor, slammed the allegations, adding that the video “fairly and accurately” represents the assault incident. He also expects that, regardless of the claims, the footage would be

Juvenile hit by vehicle, suffers serious injuries

Juvenile hit by vehicle, suffers serious injuries

1-minute read What to do if you’re in a car accident Tips for New Jersey drivers on what to do when involved in a motor vehicle collision. Miguel Fernandez, NorthJersey.com A juvenile was struck by a vehicle while walking in Maywood on Thursday night and suffered serious injuries, authorities said. The Bergen County Fatal Accident

Video shows green flames following Texas Tech underground explosion

Video shows green flames following Texas Tech underground explosion

Texas Tech University closes early after manhole explosion An underground explosion at Texas Tech University that caused “widespread power outages” is under investigation, according to university officials. The Texas Tech University campus in Lubbock remains closed after a manhole explosion apparently sparked a series of fires around campus Wednesday night. Video shows green flames coming up through

PHOTO: In this April 29, 2024, file photo, demonstrators from the pro-Palestine encampment on Columbia's Campus show a banner as they barricade themselves inside Hamilton Hall, in New York.

Columbia students who occupied Hamilton Hall in pro-Palestinian protest expelled, suspended

Columbia University said students who occupied the campus’ Hamilton Hall during pro-Palestinian protests last spring have been expelled, suspended for several years or had their degrees temporarily revoked. The sanctions were issued by the Columbia University Judicial Board on Thursday, the school said. “The outcomes issued by the UJB are based on its evaluation of

Vladimir Putin sets out conditions for Ukraine ceasefire

Vladimir Putin sets out conditions for Ukraine ceasefire

James Landale Reporting fromKyiv, Ukraine Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin said he agreed with the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine, but that “questions” remained about the nature of a truce as he set out a number of tough conditions. The Russian president was responding to a plan for a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine

A boy throws ice into the sea in Nuuk, Greenland, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

AP Week in Pictures: Global

March 7 – 13, 2025 This photo gallery, curated by photo editor Eloy Martin, highlights some of the most compelling images worldwide made or published by The Associated Press in the past week. A boy throws ice into the sea in Nuuk, Greenland, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) A boy throws ice into

'Killed in front of our eyes': Survivors reveal how the 36-hour Pakistan train hijacking unfolded

‘Killed in front of our eyes’: Survivors reveal how the 36-hour Pakistan train hijacking unfolded

Militants hijacked a train in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, holding passengers hostage for nearly 36 hours. The Pakistani military later announced on Wednesday that a successful rescue operation had ended the standoff, freeing the hostages and eliminating over 30 militants.Earlier on Tuesday, Mehboob Hussain was travelling when an explosion damaged the tracks beneath the front

Pakistan hints at India role in deadly train hijacking

Pakistan hints at India role in deadly train hijacking

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has hinted at India being behind the train hijacking in Balochistan this week, saying the handlers of the attackers were based in Afghanistan and were allegedly sponsored by India.On Thursday, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Islamabad had evidence that calls related to the hijacking originated in Afghanistan. Asked by reporters

Evening Headlines

Canadian entrepreneur Jasmine Eagle detained by ICE

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US A Canadian businesswoman who was arrested in the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents over an

Donatella steps down as creative director, Dario Vitale to take over

Donatella steps down as creative director, Dario Vitale to take over

Annabel Rackham Culture reporter Getty Images Donatella Versace pictured last week at the Vanity Fair Oscars party Donatella Versace is to step down from her creative director role at fashion house Versace, after nearly 30 years. She has held the position since 1997 and took over after the murder of her brother Gianni. Versace has

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x