Big Ideas How animals use natural medicine to heal themselves
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Jul 29, 2025 Jaap de Roode, a biologist at Emory University and author of "Doctors by Nature," dives into the remarkable ways animals self-medicate. He shares astonishing stories of apes using leaves to dislodge worms and sparrows employing cigarette butts to ward off parasites. The conversation explores the intelligence behind these natural remedies and how they inspire advancements in agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Jaap also highlights the critical need for habitat conservation to protect these ingenious species and their healing practices.
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Monarch Butterflies Using Medicinal Plants
- Monarch butterflies use toxic milkweed plants as medicine to reduce parasite infections.
- Infected female butterflies prefer laying eggs on medicinal plants to protect their offspring.
Beware Parasite-Driven Behavior
- Changed behavior in animals may be due to parasite manipulation, not self-medication.
- It's important to distinguish true medicine use from parasite-driven behaviors.
Primates Using Millipedes for Protection
- Lemurs and capuchin monkeys use millipedes' toxic secretions by rubbing them on their fur.
- This behavior helps repel mosquitoes and bot flies, possibly as medicine or social fun.
