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blackvault
Site Admin
Joined: Sep 10, 2001
Posts: 3660
Location: USA
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 Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 1:20 am Post subject: Monkeys Maintain Health through Self-Medication |
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According to a recent report from Reuters, capuchin monkeys living in the jungles of Costa Rica are self sufficient enough to prescribe, and use plant-based medications that keep their skin healthy and free of bugs and parasites say researchers. \"The monkeys may intentionally select these plants for their medicinal value,\" according to researcher Maria DeJoseph of Exponent Health Group in New York City. In fact the plant-based therapies may also be beneficial for the treatment of human skin illnesses.
DeJoseph\'s findings are rooted largely in the observances of American anthropologist, Dr. Mary Baker. Baker has observed capuchins in Costa Rica for a period of years, and witnessed the tree dwellers intentionally breaking up seedpods and leaves with their mouths and hands, and then rubbing them into their fur.
DeJoseph and colleague Dr. Robin Taylor collected and analyzed the Costa Rican plants used for rubbing, and labeled the ritual as a sophisticated form of self-medicating. The leaves of two plants used by the capuchins--Piper marginatum (\"cake bush\"), Clematis dioica (\"Old man\'s beard\"), and the seedpods of a third plant, Sloanea ternifola, each have \"some antibacterial, antifungal and antiarthropodal (bug-repelling) properties,\" DeJoseph told Reuters Health. Extracts of cake bush and S. ternifola have prevented the growth of disease causing staphylococcus and candida microbes.
Additionally, cake bush has been successful as an ant repellant. Seedpods of S. ternifola also serve as combs to rid fur of parasites. The behavior of the capuchin may not be a conscious effort to medicate. \"The behavior might be similar to learned taste aversions,\" where animals (including humans) learn to avoid foods that make them sick, DeJoseph told Reuters. \"Similarly, we might be able to remember what makes us feel better when we are not well.\" DeJoseph added, \"there are anecdotal accounts amongst zookeepers that primates can make these associations.\" Capuchins may be in good company as self-medicating animals.
Some evidence suggests that certain species of bears may self medicate via fur rubbing, and chimpanzees, baboons and spider monkeys eat plants that rid themselves of gastrointestinal illnesses. DeJoseph pointed out that the animal kingdom could be a source of good information regarding medicine. Reuters reported, \"Amongst indigenous peoples there are folk tales and myths about animals telling people about medicinal plants. It is possible that people learned about some medicines by watching animals,\" DeJoseph said. DeJoseph\'s team believes that natural remedies used by the capuchins \"might lead to strategies for the prevention and treatment of ectoparasite infestations in humans.\" The findings of this study are published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Source: Exponent Health Group; Reuters
http://www3.cosmiverse.com/news/science/science06280204.html
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