A scientific program in Côte d'Ivoire has taken a close interest in the eating habits of our cousins, the chimpanzees. And more particularly to the plants they eat to heal themselves. The reason ? Chimpanzees are the closest animals to us in genetic terms (we share 98% of their DNA). And they are self-medication pros! For them, a digestive disorder, small sores or a fever can be treated with a plant that they are able to select (like the elephants of Kenya who change their food during their pregnancy). The researchers therefore assume that observing their health reflexes could also help men:kroma, badi or zoobo are plants that we should perhaps use.
The scientists went further in this study and analyzed 27 plants used by chimpanzees. They discovered that some of them kill bacteria, slow down infections and limit the development of cancer. 18% of these plants are active against bacteria. Perhaps one day we will no longer need to take chemical medicines when we know that the forests of West Africa are natural open-air pharmacies. In any case, these are research phases, there are still test batteries to be carried out before we can, one day, find them in our pharmacies.
Moral of the story:you don't teach old monkeys how to make…medicine.
