Chimpanzee medicinal plant use in the dense tropical forests of Uganda reveals how wild chimpanzees treat injuries with natural remedies. Scientists worldwide find this natural first aid fascinating. In the Budongo Forest, an international team of researchers recorded compelling footage showing chimpanzees applying chewed plant material to wounds—both on themselves and other group members.
Expanding Understanding of Chimpanzee Medicinal Plant Use and Healing Behavior
This new insight builds on earlier findings that chimpanzees deliberately consume specific plants with healing properties. Recent evidence reveals a broader range of behaviors, including topical application of leaves and plant extracts to open wounds, showing their sophisticated understanding of nature’s pharmacy.
Chimpanzee Medicinal Plant Use as a Sign of Empathy and Social Care
A juvenile chimpanzee demonstrated chimpanzee medicinal plant use by chewing plant material and applying it to a wound on its mother’s body—showing not only knowledge of medicinal plants but also empathy. Researchers also recorded other instances of chimpanzee medicinal plant use, including chimpanzees tending to injured peers outside their immediate family, which suggests advanced social care behaviors.
Decades of Field Observations Reveal Complex Behaviors
Researchers and local fieldworkers documented these discoveries over decades. They reviewed a long-standing collection of notes and behavioral logs dating back to the 1990s, detailing fascinating accounts of leaf-dabbing, wound cleaning, and hygiene practices—such as chimpanzees using leaves to clean themselves after defecation.
Scientific Testing Confirms Antibacterial Properties
Scientists tested many of the plants the chimps use and found antibacterial compounds, highlighting their potential as natural medicine. Similar behaviors appear in other great apes, including orangutans who chew leaves to heal facial wounds.
Potential for New Human Medicines
Scientists believe that studying these natural healing methods further could lead to breakthroughs in modern medicine. By learning which plants chimpanzees use and how they apply them, researchers hope to discover new medicinal compounds that benefit human health.
Rethinking Animal Intelligence Through Natural Healing
Studying how wild animals use nature to heal reshapes our view of animal intelligence. A lead researcher noted that chimpanzees possess intimate knowledge of their environment, which enables them to survive, thrive, and care for one another without human help.
