Researchers in Sumatra observed an orangutan treat his own facial wound by improvising a topical paste.
JAKARTA, INDONESIA— Rakus is in his 30s. He strolls through the equatorial forest in the northern part of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. He sports a nasty injury on his face below his right eye and decides, in the absence of a surgeon or an emergency room physician nearby, to treat himself. He plucks a fewleaves. Called"akar kuning" by the Indonesians, this plant is known for its medicinal properties and is used by indigenous people in their traditional medicine.
This great ape was observed in June 2022 by a team of researchers in the Sumatran jungle who were studying orangutans. Rakus, as they affectionately named him , has been known to them since 2009. This case of plant self-medication was the subject ofIt is unclear how Rakus was injured. One of the most probable hypotheses is a fall, since orangutans spend their lives in trees, and it is common for them to occasionally tumble down from over 10 m.
Before applying this mixture, the orangutan chewed akar kuning leaves for over 30 minutes . He appears to have rested more than usual during his recovery. The treatment prescribed by Rakus seems to have been particularly effective, since just a few days later, the researchers observed that the wound had completely healed.
Wound Care Skin Wound Healing Wound Dressing Wound Healing Wound Repair Wound Facial Self Medication Complementary And Alternative Medicine Alternative Treatment Alternative Medicine Complementary Medicine Alternate Medical Therapy Alternate Medicine Fellowship Fellows Herbal Medicine Botanical Medicine Medicinal Botany Medical Herbalism Herbalism Herbology
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