Research notes

Here are some notes I have taken while researching. The notes relate to the learning objectives listed in the previous post.


The Evolution of Herbal Medicine: Behavioral Perspectives by Benjamin L. Hart

• Chimps have been observed consuming a low amount of Trichilia rubescens leaves and Albizia grandibracteata bark, which both have bioactive properties. 
• Chimps have been observed swallowing whole leaves of Aneilema aequinoctiale.
• Chimps have been observed consuming non caloric items such as soil and toxic plants such as Phytolacca dodecandra. 
• Trichilia rubescens is thought to be antimalarial and it is possible that this is due to the liminoid compounds: trichirubine A and B. 
• Albizia grandibracteata is used by humans in Uganda and Congo for conditions such as bloat, and parasitism. 
• The fruit of Phytolacca dodecandra, which chimps ingest, is used by humans in traditional medicine for abortion. 
• Chimps in Kanyawara were observed not eating an available palm civet, possible taboo. 
• "(1)There is a low probability that an observer will be present to observe and record the behaviour of an animal that is ill seek out and consume medicinal herbs. (2) Social transmission of the behaviour among individuals in a group may be less likely in nonverbal animals than in humans (see below). (3) Animals may actually become acutely ill less frequently than humans, and consequently, only infrequently use medicinal herbs for therapeutic properties."
• Possible that human brain developing to become larger allowed for need of more calories and protein thus inspiring humans to eat more meat. More meat means more chances of higher cholesterol and more health problems. This would mean a need for medicine. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFzVdfozISo&feature=related

• Red Colobus monkeys eat charcoal after eating toxic plants.

Nonhuman Primate Self-Medication with Wild Plant Foods by Kenneth E. Glander 

• 'Elephants comsume legume creepers (Entanda shefferi) before walking long distances.
• Indian wild bores eat pig weed (Boerhaavia diffusa) roots which humans use as an anthelmintic.
• Pigs eat pomegranate to deter tapeworms with alkaloid.

Diversity of Medicinal Plant Use by Chimpanzees in the Wild by Michael A. Huffman and Richard W. Wrangham. 

Evidence of chimpanzee medicinal use of plants

• Restriction of plant use to areas with high risk of parasites.
• Ingestion of plants with little nutritional benefit.
• Apparent sickness of individual at the time.
• Association with seasonal use when parasites are more common.
• Low frequency intake of plants not normally in diet. 

Shanidar IV, a Neanderthal Flower  Burial in Northern Iraq.

Nonhuman use of plants

• Shanindar cave, Neanderthal deaths estimated 60,000 years ago.
• Al-Rawi and Chakravart identified 6 out of 8 as having medicinal properties
• Achilles  santolina - repellent  properties, and its leaves are useful against dysentery, intestinal colic, "expulsion of gases," and as a  general tonic  and  carminative
• Centaurea cyanus - diuretic, emmenagogue, tonic,  pectoral,  stimulant,  astringent, febri- fuge, and collyrium.
• Centaurea solstitiali.
• Ephedra alata - cure  for  asthma,  a cardiac stimulant, and for epidemic dropsy.
• Senecio  vulgaris - emetic, diuretic, and purgative.
• Althaea  rosea - acute spasms, toothaches, and inflammations.