According to Gram Research analysis, wild Bornean orangutans deliberately combine plants with medicinal properties when they need healing, rather than eating them randomly. Scientists studying years of feeding data in Indonesian rainforests found non-random patterns of plant combinations that match documented medicinal uses, supporting the theory that great apes intentionally use nature’s pharmacy to treat illness.
Scientists studying wild Bornean orangutans in Indonesia discovered something remarkable: these great apes deliberately combine different plants when they’re sick, similar to how humans use multiple medicines together. Researchers analyzed years of feeding observations and found that orangutans weren’t randomly eating plants—they were choosing specific combinations with known healing properties. This research supports a new scientific framework called the self-medicative resource combination hypothesis, which suggests that animals across many species may intentionally mix therapeutic resources. The findings highlight how Indigenous knowledge about plants could help both conservation efforts and human medicine discovery.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study published in Scientific Reports found that wild Bornean orangutans in Central Kalimantan showed non-random dietary combinations of plant species with documented ethnomedicinal and pharmacological properties, consistent with intentional self-medication behavior.
Research on Bornean orangutans revealed that plant combinations used by these great apes align with traditional medicinal uses documented by Indigenous peoples, suggesting that human and animal knowledge of plant medicine may overlap in valuable ways.
The self-medicative resource combination hypothesis, previously validated in wild chimpanzees, was successfully extended to orangutans in 2026, indicating that intentional plant-based self-medication may be a widespread behavior across great ape species.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether wild orangutans deliberately combine different plants with medicinal properties when they need healing, rather than eating them randomly.
- Who participated: Wild Bornean orangutans living in the Sebangau peat-swamp forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, observed over many years through long-term feeding records.
- Key finding: Orangutans showed non-random patterns of combining plant species that have documented medicinal and healing properties, suggesting intentional self-medication behavior.
- What it means for you: This research reveals that animals have their own health knowledge and may use nature’s pharmacy strategically. It also suggests that protecting rainforests and Indigenous plant knowledge is crucial for both animal welfare and potential human medical discoveries.
The Research Details
Scientists used a new framework called the self-medicative resource combination hypothesis (SMRCH) to study orangutan eating patterns. Instead of just watching what orangutans eat, researchers analyzed long-term feeding data collected over many years in a specific forest in Indonesia. They looked for patterns in how orangutans combined different plants—checking whether certain plants were eaten together more often than would happen by chance.
The researchers then investigated whether these plant combinations had actual medicinal properties by reviewing scientific studies and traditional Indigenous knowledge about those plants. This approach allowed them to identify which dietary combinations might represent intentional healing behavior rather than random food choices.
This same framework had previously been used successfully with wild chimpanzees, so applying it to orangutans allowed scientists to compare self-medication behaviors across different great ape species and understand whether this is a common trait among our closest living relatives.
This research approach is important because directly observing animals using medicine is extremely difficult. Animals can’t tell us when they’re sick or why they’re eating something, and testing plants for medicinal compounds is expensive and time-consuming. By looking for non-random patterns in what animals eat together, scientists can identify candidate self-medication behaviors without needing to constantly monitor individual animals’ health. This method is also valuable because it connects modern science with Indigenous knowledge, showing that traditional plant uses documented by native peoples may reflect genuine medicinal properties that animals have discovered through evolution.
This study uses long-term observational data, which is considered reliable for animal behavior research because it captures natural patterns over extended periods. The researchers strengthened their findings by cross-referencing plant combinations with both scientific pharmacological studies and ethnomedicinal knowledge (traditional plant uses by Indigenous peoples). However, the study doesn’t provide specific sample sizes or health outcome measurements, which means we can identify patterns suggesting self-medication but cannot measure exactly how much these behaviors improve orangutan health. The research is published in Scientific Reports, a peer-reviewed journal, which means other scientists have reviewed the work for quality.
What the Results Show
The analysis revealed that wild Bornean orangutans combine specific plant species in patterns that are not random—meaning the combinations appear intentional rather than accidental. These plant combinations involved species with documented medicinal properties recognized both by modern science and by Indigenous peoples who have used these plants for generations.
The non-random nature of these combinations is significant because if orangutans were simply eating whatever plants were available, we would expect random patterns. Instead, the data showed that certain plants were eaten together far more frequently than chance would predict, suggesting the orangutans were deliberately selecting these combinations.
These findings support the self-medicative resource combination hypothesis, which proposes that animals may intentionally combine therapeutic resources when dealing with illness or health challenges. The research demonstrates that this behavior isn’t unique to one species—it appears to be a trait shared across great apes, as similar patterns have been observed in wild chimpanzees.
The research highlights the importance of preserving Indigenous knowledge about plants and their uses. The medicinal properties identified in orangutan dietary combinations align with traditional uses documented by Indigenous peoples in the region, suggesting that human and animal knowledge of plant medicine may overlap. This connection could be valuable for discovering new medicines for human use. Additionally, the study emphasizes the ecological importance of protecting rainforests and the specific plants that orangutans rely on for both nutrition and health maintenance.
This research extends previous work on self-medication in great apes. Scientists had already identified evidence of medicative feeding in wild chimpanzees using the same analytical framework, but this is among the first applications to orangutans. The findings suggest that intentional plant-based self-medication may be a widespread behavior across great ape species, rather than isolated to one population. This broader pattern supports the idea that self-medication is an evolved behavior that provides real survival advantages to animals.
The study doesn’t specify exact sample sizes or provide detailed health outcome data, so while patterns suggest self-medication, we cannot measure exactly how much these behaviors improve orangutan health or survival. The research relies on observational data and cannot definitively prove that orangutans are consciously choosing combinations for medicinal purposes—only that the patterns are non-random and consistent with medicinal use. Additionally, the study focuses on one population in one forest location, so findings may not apply to all orangutan populations or other great ape species. The research also depends on accurate identification of plant medicinal properties from existing scientific and traditional knowledge, which may be incomplete.
The Bottom Line
Protect rainforests and the plant species that orangutans depend on, as these ecosystems contain valuable medicinal resources for both animals and humans (high confidence). Support research into traditional Indigenous plant knowledge, as it may reveal new medicines and help us understand animal behavior (high confidence). Fund long-term studies of great ape behavior to better understand self-medication and other health-related behaviors (moderate to high confidence). These recommendations are based on the research findings and broader conservation principles.
Conservation organizations and policymakers should prioritize protecting rainforests and the plants orangutans use. Pharmaceutical researchers and ethnobotanists (scientists who study traditional plant uses) should consider orangutan dietary patterns when searching for new medicinal compounds. Indigenous communities whose plant knowledge aligns with orangutan behavior should be recognized as valuable partners in biodiversity and health research. The general public should care because protecting these ecosystems and animals benefits global health research and preserves irreplaceable biodiversity.
This research doesn’t directly apply to human health timelines, as it focuses on animal behavior rather than human treatment. However, if plant combinations identified in orangutan diets are developed into human medicines, that process typically takes 10-15 years from initial discovery to clinical use. Conservation efforts to protect these plants and forests should begin immediately to prevent species loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do wild animals actually use plants to heal themselves?
Research shows that wild orangutans deliberately combine plants with medicinal properties when ill, suggesting intentional self-medication. Scientists identified non-random patterns in plant combinations that match traditional and scientific knowledge of healing properties, indicating animals may have evolved strategies to use nature’s pharmacy.
How do scientists know orangutans are choosing medicinal plants on purpose?
Researchers analyzed years of feeding data and found that certain plant combinations appeared together far more often than random chance would predict. They then verified these plants had documented medicinal properties, suggesting the patterns represent intentional choices rather than accidental combinations.
Could this research help develop new human medicines?
Potentially yes. The study highlights that Indigenous plant knowledge aligns with orangutan medicinal plant use, suggesting traditional remedies may contain genuine healing compounds. This connection could guide pharmaceutical researchers toward plants worth investigating for new human medicines.
Why is protecting rainforests important for human health?
Rainforests contain plant species with medicinal properties that both animals and humans rely on. By studying how orangutans use these plants, scientists can identify promising candidates for new medicines. Losing these forests means losing potential medical discoveries and the traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples.
Is self-medication common in other animals besides orangutans?
The research framework has been successfully applied to wild chimpanzees, showing similar self-medication patterns. This suggests intentional plant-based healing may be a widespread behavior across great ape species and possibly other animals, though more research is needed to understand how common it is.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users interested in ethnobotany or natural medicine could track their exploration of traditional plant remedies documented in Indigenous knowledge systems, noting which plants align with scientific research on medicinal properties. This could include logging plant combinations used in traditional medicine and monitoring personal wellness outcomes.
- Users could adopt a practice of learning about medicinal plants native to their region and their traditional uses, then researching the scientific evidence supporting those uses. This creates awareness of how animals and humans both use nature’s pharmacy strategically.
- Long-term tracking could involve documenting personal experiments with plant-based wellness approaches (under medical supervision), comparing outcomes to baseline health markers, and correlating changes with specific plant combinations used—mirroring the research approach used in the orangutan study.
This research describes animal behavior and does not provide medical advice for humans. While the study suggests orangutans use plant combinations for healing, this does not mean these plants are safe or effective for human use without proper medical supervision and clinical testing. Anyone considering using plants or plant combinations for medicinal purposes should consult with a qualified healthcare provider first. The research focuses on observational animal behavior and cannot definitively prove conscious intent or measure health outcomes in orangutans. Conservation and biodiversity protection are important, but individual plant use should only be pursued under professional medical guidance.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.