Monkeys are more knowledgeable than humans about the medicinal value ofplants
MONKEYS have an amazing knowledge of
medicinal plants. When they fall ill or
get hurt they cure themselves by eating
plants commonly found around them.
A long-term study undertaken by the
author in the 1990s in Delhi to determine the effects of food on the health of
monkeys, brings to light the exceptional
knowledge possessed by monkeys about
the therapeutic value of plants (Primate
Report 4Z April 1995).
The rhesus macaque (Macaca
mulatta) - easily visible near temples,
in urban forests and even on rooftops
- is the most widely distributed
non-human primate in India. The
rhesus population in the country if
classified by their proximity to human
beings, would fall in two broad
categories; the forest rhesus and
human-habitation rhesus. The forest
monkeys depend on a wide range of
natural vegetation for their food, which
in the case of human habitation monkeys is replaced largely by foods consumed by human beings.
Of Delhi's total geographical area of
1,483 sq kin, only six per cent is covered
by natural forests on the Aravalli ridge.
However, there are over a hundred
colonies in Delhi where monkeys have
made their homes. The study on monkeys in human habitation was conducted in Sanjay Vihar, a colony near
Tughlakabad in south Delhi.
Tughlakabad has high voltage electric wires overhead, stretching between
the poles. juvenile monkeys play on
these wires arid very often get electrocuted. Mostly, they die instantly but in
one instance, a juvenile survived the
electrocution. However, his left lower
arm was charred. In the course of the
following week, the monkey ate only the
leaves and fruits of the neent
(Azadirachia indica) tree. After one
week, when he came down his lower
arm had got severed and the wound at
the point of electrocution was still raw.
For the next month, this juvenile was
seen applying his own saliva on the
wound and eating the tender leaves,
branches and flowers of the kethri
(Sonchus arverns) tree at least 15 times a
day. At the end of the month, he had
recovered fully.
The writer's observations of the eating habits of sick and injured monkeys
since this incident, has led to the identification of 10 medicinal plants used by the sprightly primates. It was seen that
during mating season, the tubers of the
barbunda (Oxystelma secamone) are
eaten by the males. It is possible that the
tuber affects the potency of the animals.
Aggression and confrontation amongst
the males are common; very often, it
leads to injuries. The wounded monkeys
have been observed to be eating the
buds of akh (Calotropis gigantea); they
also apply the milky secretion from the
branches of this shrub on their bleeding
parts. This leads to coagulation of blood
and eventually stops the bleeding.
By the end of the mating season, 80
per cent of the females between the ages
of three-and-a -half to 15 years become
pregnant. A major part of their natural
diet comes from the tamarind tree
(Tamarindus indica); its leaves, bark and
fruits are consumed in large amounts.
During the early lactation period, the
tender brownish-pink leaves of the
peepul (Ficus religiosa) tree are much
sought after by the new mothers.
The monkeys living around human
habitations face another unique problem: that of unfamiliar foodstuff. Items
of normal human consumption, like
paranthas (bread made of wheat flour
and oil) or chocolates, sometimes find
their way into the animals' diet. Eating
such food very often leads to fits of
vomiting and diarrhoea in them. But
the animals know how to cure themselves. After vomiting, monkeys have
been observed eating dhoob ghas tender grass blades and their white
shoots. During diarrhoea, ghokru
(Pedaliurn murex) fruits are consumed.
Monkeys having blisters in their mouth
eat the resin secreted by kikar (Accacia
arabica). If they get feverish, they consume the pods of hulhul (Cleome
gynandra), while monkeys racked by
coughing eat the leaves of the bansa
(Adhatoda vestira).
Nutrient requirements of these animals are similar to that of humans.
Besides carbohydrates, proteins, fibres
and vitamins, primates need 22 minerals for their healthy existence. A low
magnesium diet can lead to cancer.
Higher content of silicon in diet can
lead to blood cancer. Low selenium,
manganese and chromium content, on
the other hand, can result in heart
attack, while a low cobalt level leads to
rapid weight loss. Monkeys in the wild
do not suffer from heart attack, blood
cancer or diabetes probably due to their
dependence on natural food.
Some other studies have also pointed
out that animals know more than
humans about the plants that abound
around them. Bears chew the root of the
lingusticum (kath) and spread its juices
on their bodies. Chimpanzees have been
known to consume aspilia - known for
its antifungal, antiviral and antiparasitic
properties - in the mornings.
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