Jungle Remedy Eases Perils of Primate Pregnancy

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I though this was an interesting herbal medicine story!

 

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Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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Jungle Remedy Eases Perils of Primate Pregnancy

http://news.excite.com/odd/article/id/297333|oddlyenough|01-23-2003::11:

30|reuters.html

 

Jan 23, 11:28 am ET

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Never underestimate the intelligence of primates.

In what scientists believe may be the first example of an animal taking

a natural drug during pregnancy, researchers from Japan's Kyoto

University have noticed that the sifaka, a type of lemur, eats plants

containing poisonous tannins before giving birth.

Small amounts of tannins are known to stimulate milk production and

veterinarians use them to prevent miscarriage.

" This makes them the first animal known to self-medicate when pregnant, "

according to New Scientist magazine.

Michael Huffman, a primate expert at the university, said pregnant

females observed in Madagascar ate more tannin-rich plants than other

males or females.

Although he can't be sure that the results are due to tannins and not

other factors, primates have been spotted eating other natural medicinal

products in the jungle.

" Some 39 species have been observed eating soil, which soaks up toxins

in the gut and allows the animals to eat poisonous plants without

getting sick, " according to the magazine.

Chimpanzees also swallow leaves whole to induce diarrhea to get rid of

tapeworms and other parasites.