Like humans, elephants can prepare medicinal mixtures for their calves
Scientists have discovered that African elephants can not only use medicinal plants themselves but also prepare unique remedies from them for their young. Such behavior was documented for the first time during observations of elephants in the Mount Elgon area in western Kenya, The Telegraph writes .
Researchers from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg believe that elephants living near Elgon use at least 35 types of plants for medicinal purposes. In some cases, females chewed specific roots and leaves and then mixed them with breast milk to give to their calves.
Self-medication has previously been observed in other animals, including great apes. However, until now, there have been no documented cases of an animal independently preparing a medicinal remedy and administering it to another member of its species.
The elephants of Mount Elgon were already known for unusual behavior. They extract minerals from deep caves with their tusks, supplementing their diet. Now, researchers have found that the animals also purposefully use medicinal plants growing on the slopes of Elgon — one of Africa's oldest extinct volcanoes, located on the border of Kenya and Uganda.
Scientists led by Dr. Fabien Schulz noticed that elephants specifically sought out certain plants when they were sick. They chose specific plant species depending on their condition. The females gave the same plants to their calves. Many of the identified plants are also used in the traditional medicine of local peoples, and scientific studies have confirmed their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, or antiparasitic properties.
In addition to plants, elephants consumed four types of soil, minerals, or clay. Researchers suggest that these may also be part of the natural health maintenance system of these animals.
Observations indicate that elephants do not accidentally eat certain plants but can purposefully seek them out when they need treatment. As a result, scientists believe that African elephants may possess a much more diverse and complex array of natural remedies than previously thought.
Previously in Kenya, pregnant elephants were also observed eating the leaves of certain trees. It is believed that this stimulated labor and eased the postpartum condition. Women in Kenya also make tea from these plants for similar purposes.
Another study conducted in 2025 in Gabon showed that African forest elephants infected with a large number of parasites more often ate banana stems and papaya plants than more nutritious food. Both plants contain substances capable of affecting intestinal parasites.
Scientists note that studying elephant self-medication can help to better understand their cognitive abilities and adaptability to the environment. At the same time, it highlights the importance of preserving their habitats, as the destruction of natural ecosystems can deprive elephants of access to plants and other resources necessary for maintaining health.
Researchers are now studying the collected plants in laboratories to precisely determine their pharmacological properties. According to Christopher Powles from the Mount Elgon Foundation charity, the research findings may also suggest that elephants' knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants is passed down from one generation to the next.
Similar behavior has been observed in other animals. For example, macaques in Gibraltar may eat soil after consuming sweet and salty foods they get or steal from tourists. Scientists believe it helps mitigate the negative impact of such food on their digestive system.
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