Orangutans self-medicate with parasite fighting plants

Credit: Zac Mills, the Wildlife Collective

Researchers observing wild orangutans in North Sumatra noticed that individuals would eat higher amounts of certain plants if they were infected with gut parasites. The team gathered leaves from 16 plant species and created extracts using water and alcohol. They set out to test how effective the plants were at fighting off tummy bugs.

The study focused on a microscopic parasite called Giardia intestinalis, which is known to cause diarrhea, bloating, and nausea worldwide in both humans and animals. Incredibly, all 16 plant extracts showed some level of activity against the parasite, with four species especially effective at killing it.

What’s even more amazing is that eight of the plants tested had never been studied for medical properties before, nor recorded in traditional medicine. The effectiveness of these plants has only been discovered through observations of wild orangutans – showing the immense value in studying and protecting these clever apes.

This research adds more evidence to suggest that orangutans can self-medicate and selectively consume plants to treat illness. Additionally, the standard drug used to treat the parasite Giardia is facing rising resistance, as well as causing undesirable side effects. These plants could pave the way for new treatments.