Humans have used plants for medicine since prehistoric times. They are still used in traditional medicine. Scientists have now found that chimpanzees also seek out plants to heal themselves. Researchers in the UK conducted a study of chimpanzee behaviour in the Budongo Central Forest in Uganda. The researchers tracked a male chimp with an injured hand looking for a fern. The fern may have reduced the swelling in the ape's hand. Another chimpanzee with an infection ate the bark of a cat-thorn tree. This may have helped to reduce the animal's sickness.

The researchers say there is a strong correlation between the chimpanzees' ailments and the healing properties in plants. The researchers tested plants that chimpanzees didn't normally eat. They found that 88 per cent of the plants contained anti-bacterial properties, while 33 per cent were anti-inflammatory. A researcher said: "Pharmacological results suggest that Budongo chimpanzees consume several species with potent medicinal properties." She said the investigations into the primates' may pave the way for a greater use of natural remedies in our lives.