Rakus the orangutang observed treating his wounds with medicinal plant

When speaking about animal intelligence, we often use examples of when certain animals use tools to accomplish tasks. Recently we learned that orangutans use medical herbs and plants to treat injuries!

The Study

In a study a team of scientists documented the Sumatran orangutan ‘Rakus’ while he was treating his injuries using medical plant Akar Kuning (Fibraurea tinctoria) to treat an open wound on his face. Rakus, collected the leaves from the plant, chewed them up and applied the juice to the wound. He made sure to keep treating it the whole time until it was completely healed.

Akar Kuning (Fibraurea tinctoria)

The plant, Fibraurea tinctoria, have been used in traditional Indonesian medicine for a long time to treat wounds, diabetes, dysentery, and malaria. Its posstive effects on the body includes antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antoxidant properties.

It is locally common in the area where Rakus live.

First of its kind observation

According to the article, this is the first systematic observation of its kind, where and animal consciously have chosen a plant, treated the plant to extract the active substance, and applied it to the wounded area.

It is worth noting that the plant Rakus used to treat his injury does have pain relieving properties. It is possible that when chewing the plant, he realised that it made the pain go away and thus applied it to the wounded area.

It does pose the question of whether our medical practices can be traced back to shared primate ancestors that roamed the Earth. We might not have been the first primate to use the pantry of the forest to treat our ailments.

2024-05-12 02:00

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