Researchers have discovered that chimpanzees use insects as a form of medicine to prevent infections and promote healing. They apply the insects directly to wounds, which contain natural antibiotics that help fight off infection. This is not an isolated example, as many animals have been observed using various forms of self-medication. For instance, some monkeys eat tree bark that has analgesic properties, while others use charcoal to detoxify their bodies.
In addition to self-medication, some animals have been observed engaging in behaviors that promote relaxation and stress relief. Japanese macaques, for example, have been observed relaxing in hot springs, which has been shown to reduce their stress hormone levels. Some monkeys even engage in behaviors that resemble human health practices, such as washing their food and using dental floss.
Scientists are now studying these animal behaviors to gain insights into new forms of medicine and treatments for human diseases. By examining the plants and animals used by animals for self-medication, researchers hope to discover new compounds that could be used to develop new medicines.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. When a dog is injured, it licks its wound to apply saliva that contains lysozyme, an enzyme that eliminates bacteria.
2. Chimpanzees are intelligent, create and use tools, and are self-aware.
3. Chimpanzees work together and learn by example and experience.
4. Researchers have observed that chimpanzees apply insects to their wounds to prevent infection and aid in healing.
5. Insects contain microbes that compete with each other, producing toxic components that act as natural antibiotics.
6. Humans have proposed using insects as a source of new antibiotics.
7. Monkeys with tricho parasite infections eat more tree bark, which has analgesic properties.
8. Red colobus monkeys eat charcoal to remove toxic compounds from their bodies.
9. Malabar almonds and mangoes help to digest charcoal in the stomachs of red colobus monkeys.
10. The population of red colobus monkeys is greater in areas with Malabar almonds, mangoes, and charcoal.
11. Capuchin monkeys use various materials, including dental floss, bird feathers, and metal wire, to clean their teeth.
12. Macaques wash their food in puddles or wrap it in leaves to clean it.
13. Japanese macaques relax in hot springs to reduce stress hormones.
14. Macaques have been observed using various materials to clean their teeth, including dental floss and bird feathers.
15. Capuchin monkeys anoint themselves with strong-smelling substances to repel parasites.
16. Humans have taught monkeys how to consume alcohol.
17. Scientists have been investigating primate self-medication methods to use the knowledge for the benefit of humans.
18. Orangutans use a foamy mixture of saliva and traca leaves to relieve joint and muscle pain.
19. Locals in Indonesia use the traca in a kan ley plant to relieve joint and muscle pain.
20. American black bears know about the healing properties of the root of a plant called bear root.
21. Locals are aware of the healing powers of bear root after observing the bears.