Zoopharmacognosy

Matthew Capowski

Moderator
Staff member
Herbalist
Zoopharmacognosy refers to the usage (consumption or topical application) of medicinal plants, insects, soils, or other organic material by non-human animals.

zoo = animal

pharma = drug

gnosy = knowing

Zoopharmacognosy likely played a role in the development of human herbal medicine as humans observed animals using herbs in this manner.

References:

Animals that self-medicate by Joel Shurkin


 
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