Zoopharmacognosy: Nature?s Pharmacy Used by Animals
Zoopharmacognosy: Nature’s Pharmacy used by animals
Author’s name: Prof. Pradeep Mishra, Bhupesh C Semwal, Sonia SIngh*
Introduction: Self-medicating behavior is a topic of rapidly growing interest to behaviorists, parasitologists, ethnobotanists, chemical ecologists, conservationists, and physicians. Scientists from various disciplines are currently exploring the possibility that many species use plants, soils, insects, and fungi as ‘medicines’ in ways that guard against future illness (preventive medicine) and/or relieve unpleasant symptoms (curative or therapeutic medicine). It is important to note that the scientific study of animal self-medication is not based on an assumption that animals possess an innate ‘wisdom’ by which they flawlessly know what is good for them. Self-medication strategies are survival skills honed by natural selection. In most cases self-medication could be motivated by a desire to immediately reduce unpleasant sensations. Some species, particularly great apes, show an intention of purpose in their medication and in these cases the term ‘zoopharmacognosy’ was coined to describe the process by which wild animals select and use specific plants with medicinal properties for the treatment and prevention of disease1.
In other words we can say that, “Zoopharmacognosy” refers to the process by which animal self-medicate, by selecting and utilizing plants and soils and insects to treat and prevent disease. Coined by Dr.Eloy Rodriguez a biochemist and professor at Cornell University, the word is derived from roots zoo (”animal”), pharma (”drug”), and gnosy (”knowing”)2. Since ancient times people have recorded observations of animals apparently healing themselves with natural medicines. Many herbs still retain a common name that infers this use: dog-grass (Agropyron repens), catnip (Nepeta cataria), and horny goat weed (Epimedium sp.), to name a few. However, these observations remain largely unexplored by science. Many stories of animal self-medication are clearly designed to inform and communicate herbal lore rather than fact. Others are simply misinterpretations of animal behaviour.
Animals and Birds Should be Cage Free
It probably began in the past when man began to understand the beauty of animals. Coupled with his power over them, he probably decided that he wanted to have the beautiful animals that he had encountered on his hunting trips to be near him. Through the centuries, man has domesticated quite a few animals to serve his needs, and sometimes to serve no need at all. It is one thing to keep an animal nearby to serve one’s needs but it is cruel to want to keep them ‘just for fun’. Hence, keeping animals and birds in cages is quite ridiculous if not cruel.
It is most definitely cruel to keep any animal or bird in captivity; worse still confined in cages. An animal or bird is so carefree in its own environment. It knows of no restrictions. It goes about its own business of eating and drinking and creating babies. Even domestic animals would like to walk about and act according to their instincts and desires. Caging them would deprive them of this. How often have we seen caged animals pacing their cages in futile attempts to escape? Can we imagine the frustration that they feel? What do we get in making a creature furious, frustrated and depressed? Yet humans do it all the time. Since we would think it cruel if someone were to cage us, it stands to reason that we should not do it to others, even animals and birds. The sense of justice we hold so dear when it comes to humans should be extended to all living creatures.
Going Through an Animal Rescue Group
Animal rescue organizations or groups offer you a great place to get your next family pet. These groups are all different, but they do have common goals. These groups work hard to locate a permanent loving home for unwanted or misplaced cats and dogs. Many of these rescue groups rely on volunteers and donations to care for these pets while they are between homes.
When you begin looking for a rescue group to work with, you will find that most of these groups do rely on their hard working volunteers and support from the local community to operate. You will also find a wide variety of animals available through these rescue groups. Many of these groups handle all types of animals and you will find kittens, puppies, and even older pets available for adoption. You might be surprised to learn that some groups even offer exotic pets such as reptiles, pot bellied pigs and even guinea pigs.
As you begin looking at pets available through rescue groups, keep in mind some of these animals have had very hard lives. You may find a dog that was abused by its owner. You may find a female cat that has just given birth. Their owners have relinquished many of the animals offered by rescue groups because they are moving or can no longer care for them. In addition, some of these groups take animals that live in kill shelters or as strays living on the streets. Some programs also offer spay and neuter release program for feral cats.
Stuffed Animals – How to Choose the Perfect Size
Finding the perfect stuffed animal is just the beginning of the gift decision-making process. Your next step is finding the right size. Plush toys are not one size fits all, and unlike shirts or pants, you can’t try them on to find the one that works perfectly. Of course, with plush animals, you know which size “fits” by looking at the occasion and the person who you are giving the gift to.
Let’s discuss what constitutes small, medium, and large stuffed toys before getting into the appropriate times to get what. Of course, unlike clothes, plush animals don’t have sizes on the label because they simply do not have a standard sizing chart. So to make things simple for the purposes of this article, let’s size stuffed animals within a 4 to 90 inch range, as they rarely get smaller or larger than that. For “small” stuffed animals, let’s consider them anything under or equal to 18 inches. For a toy to be medium, let’s put it between 19 and 42 inches. Lastly, let’s consider large toys anything above 42 inches long. Next, let’s look at the appropriate occasions and people for each size.
Small Sized Plush Animals
Let’s Look at Animal Rescue Groups
Animal rescued organizations or groups propose you a great place to get your next family pet. These groups are all different, but they do have general goals. These groups work hard to locate a lasting loving home for unwelcome or misplaced cats and dogs. Many of these rescue groups rely on volunteers and donations to custody for these pets while they are between homes.
When you start looking for a rescue group to work with, you will find that most of these groups do rely on their hard effective volunteers and prove from the limited society to operate. You will also find an extensive sort of animals presented through these rescue groups. Many of these groups finger all types of animals and you will find kittens, puppies, and even adult pets existing for adoption. You might be startled to learn that some groups even offer exotic pets such as reptiles, pot bellied pigs and even guinea pigs.
As you create looking at pets available through rescue groups, keep in concern some of these animals have had very hard lives. You may find a dog that was abused by its landlord. You may find a female cat that has just given birth. Their owners have relinquished many of the animals open by rescue groups because they are pitiful or can no longer attention for them. In addition, some of these groups take animals that live in eradicate shelters or as strays living on the streets. Some programs also offer neuter and neuter publish series for natural cats.
