These Chimpanzees Don’t Just Eat Plants, They Seem to Know Which Ones Heal Them

Deep within the Budongo Forest Reserve, wild chimpanzees are engaging in an activity that is somehow familiar to human behavior, though difficult to explain, as they seem to be using specific plants not only for food purposes but also for healing. When observing this behavior among primates in their natural environment, researchers have been able to identify specific behaviors where chimpanzees seem to be using specific leaves, bark, and even dead wood when they display injuries and illnesses.

This behavior has been of interest to researchers because it is said to display a rare behavior among wild animals that is associated with self-medication. This indicates that there is a deeper relationship between wild animals and their natural environment than previously imagined.

Identifying Plants With Healing Properties

In a detailed study published in PubMed, it was noted that a species of chimpanzee was observed to be consuming at least 13 different species of plants that possessed medicinal value. According to this study, almost 88 percent of these plants possessed antibacterial qualities, whereas about 33 percent of these plants possessed anti-inflammatory qualities, both of which are important for healing.

In this study, it was noted that the chimpanzees were consuming these plants in the same manner that they would be eating normal food. Instead, it was noted that they were eating parts of these plants, such as bark, which indicates that they possess a degree of discrimination that goes beyond their instincts.

According to this study, this indicates that chimpanzees possess learned knowledge or instincts that help them to find plants that possess medicinal value.

Field observations by Phys.org and Nature World News indicate that the chimpanzees seek these plants soon after suffering injuries or displaying symptoms of illness, further supporting the case that the behavior may not be coincidental.

Healing as a Social Activity

What makes this discovery interesting is that it is not only self-directed behavior but also has social components, especially since chimpanzees have also been observed not only to take care of themselves but also to take care of others.

The reports published by ScienceDaily and WUSF reported observations where chimpanzees were seen to be providing or using plant materials for injured members of their group.

Such behavior shows empathy and cooperation beyond just instinct for survival, as it seems they recognize pain in others and attempt to alleviate it for healing. The behavior is thought to be social learning, where information is passed on regarding medicinal properties.

The medicinal value of these plants is not just hypothetical, as laboratory tests have been done to confirm the existence of these compounds, which can prevent bacterial growth and reduce inflammation. According to findings published by CBS News and ZME Science, these chemical properties are very similar to the treatments used by human beings in modern times.

What This Reveals About Intelligence

The ability to recognize, recall, and utilize medicinal plants indicates a very high level of cognitive ability, as it entails observation, memory, and decision-making in particular circumstances. The research cited by the University of Oxford underscores that this behavior is actually an attack on previous beliefs regarding how non-human animals behave solely through instinct, as it shows adaptability in addressing challenges to health.

Scientists also argue that this behavior could be an early evolutionary step towards the creation of traditional medicine in humans, as it entails identifying beneficial plants in a common environment.

Despite this, scientists have yet to understand how the chimpanzees learn to recognize these plants and how this information is passed down through generations. Tracing the behavior of wild chimpanzees in deep forest areas is a challenge, and this has made it hard to ascertain whether this information is passed down intentionally or learned independently.

Future research, as highlighted in research articles by the University of Oxford and Phys.org, is likely to involve a combination of behavioral and chemical analyses.

A New Way to Look at Animal Life

The fact that chimpanzees might actually take steps to cure their own illnesses using plants is a new perspective on how science understands the intelligence and survival habits of animals. This is because it shows that there is a more complex relationship between instinctive and learned behaviors than previously thought.

It is also a reminder that there is a certain kind of knowledge that is not completely understood. These observations are a reminder that life is closely related to its environment and that nature can sometimes be both a home and a medicine.