By Sean Zucker –
There is a reason why The Planet of the Apes franchise has persisted for over 50 years. Chimps, after all, are human’s closest animal relatives, holding nearly identical DNA, according to the. American Museum of Natural History So, it’s not that far-fetched for many to envision an alternative universe where they rule the world. Nonetheless, it’s still startling when evidence pops up supporting the advanced intelligence of these primates.
The latest example of their surprising brainpower comes from the University of Oxford. Researchers there observed 51 chimpanzees from two communities in Uganda’s Budongo Central Forest Reserve to study their behavior in both healthy and unhealthy states. Worth noting that the chimpanzee groups were already accustomed to human presence and were seemingly acting naturally.
The scientists discovered that the wild chimps were actively seeking out and using medicinal plants to treat illnesses and injuries, showcasing a sophisticated understanding of natural remedies. The discovery provides compelling evidence of chimpanzees employing specific plants for their therapeutic benefits.
“To study wild chimpanzee self-medication you have to act like a detective—gathering multidisciplinary evidence to piece together a case. After spending months in the field collecting behavioral clues that led us to specific plant species, it was thrilling to analyze the pharmacological results and discover that many of these plants exhibited high levels of bioactivity,” reported study lead author Dr. Elodie Freymann.
Freymann’s team came to the conclusion after observing wild chimpanzees in a reserve over several months. They identified more than 20 plant species used by the primates, including the leaves of the Vernonia amygdalina plant, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and the Pterygota alata, often used for its painkilling abilities.
Researchers quickly noticed that the ill or injured animals were consuming specific plants outside of their usual diet. They then gathered samples of these plants and sent them to experts at Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany for pharmacological analysis. The results showed that 88 percent of them suppressed bacterial growth while 33 percent exhibited anti-inflammatory effects.
The study found that chimpanzees exhibited a clear preference for certain plants depending on their symptoms. For instance, when suffering from gastrointestinal distress, they selectively consumed Vernonia amygdalina leaves, which are rich in compounds known to alleviate related ailments. This targeted behavior suggested that their use of medicinal plants was not random but involved learned knowledge and cultural transmission within groups.
“Our study 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,” Freymann added.
The research also stated that the chimpanzees occasionally ingested these plants in combination with other substances, further indicating a sophisticated approach to self-medication. This behavior had previously been observed in captive settings but less documented in the wild.
How does all this monkey business help humans? It just may be possible that these close relatives could open up new insights into herbal and natural remedies that will benefit people.
