When my son was a boy, his fascination with wildlife led my wife and me to follow in his footsteps. As a young man, I am happy to see that he still has a healthy appreciation for nature’s creatures. That’s why a recent article about “medical secrets we can learn from apes, birds and even butterflies,” intrigued me. Here is a summary:

Animals like apes, birds, and butterflies are teaching us how to use nature’s medicines. For example, in Mexico City, sparrows and finches use cigarette butts in their nests to keep parasites like mites away. Researchers were surprised to find that the nicotine in the butts helped the birds treat themselves and their babies. This is just one example of animals using plants, fungi, and other substances to stay healthy.

Jaap de Roode, a biology professor, shares many examples of animals using medicine in his book Doctors By Nature. For instance, apes eat specific leaves to get rid of worms, while bees use sticky substances to protect their hives from disease. Even monarch butterflies eat toxic milkweed to protect themselves from parasites.

Historically, humans may have first learned medicine by watching animals. The idea that animals can treat themselves with natural substances is not new. Scientists discovered that Neanderthals and ancient humans also used plants for medicine.

Even today, domesticated animals show “nutritional wisdom” by choosing plants that help them heal. For example, cows that are allowed to pick their food eat less but stay healthy, and they are more productive. Similarly, bees use propolis, a resin they gather from plants, to fight off disease in their hives.

De Roode warns that if we destroy nature, we lose not just plants and animals, but also the wisdom that can help us in medicine. Protecting nature helps both animals and humans feel better.

By Peter Yurek, BSc.Phm.