Interest in medicinal plants is once again making headlines for two seemingly unrelated reasons. On the one hand, international research on African elephants suggests that these animals can select specific plant resources when they have health problems. On the other, courses, field trips, and business projects are being organized in various parts of Spain focusing on the traditional and sustainable use of these species.
The coincidence is not accidental: ethnopharmacology and zoopharmacognosy have been studying for years how humans and animals utilize compounds found in nature. While science attempts to confirm the validity of these practices, outreach and rural entrepreneurship strive to bring this knowledge to the general public.
Elephants searching for their own pharmacy in Kenya
An international team led by the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg has published a study in Scientific Reports on the elephants of Mount Elgon in Kenya. To avoid directly observing potentially dangerous wild animals, the researchers enlisted the help of eight experts from the indigenous Sabaot community with over twenty years of experience tracking these herds.
The testimonies allowed researchers to identify 39 natural resources that elephants selectively consume. Remarkably, 87% of these are also used in the traditional medicine of local communities. Of these, 25 resources were explicitly described as medicine for elephants, and eight species met the strictest criteria, including Aloe arborescens, Bersama abyssinica, and Ficus natalensis.
Several informants described long treks to a specific tree, without stopping to eat along the way, only to later consume its bark or leaves. Scientists emphasize that the exact preparation process and any proven medicinal benefit are still unconfirmed, but the observed pattern suggests an intentional search for resources when the animal is unwell.
The consumption of clay in the 55 caves of Mount Elgon was also studied , a behavior that has led to these elephants being called miners. In this case, the authors concluded that it primarily stems from a need for mineral salts, not for medicinal purposes. Geophagy, however, could help neutralize plant toxins in the stomach.
One of the most discussed findings is that of elephant mothers administering plants to their calves. Researchers describe this as maternal allomedication , a form of care directed toward another individual of the species. It remains to be clarified whether the females choose this resource based on specific symptoms or if they are simply sharing part of their regular diet with their young.
The idea that animals self-medicate is not new. In 1987, primatologist Michael Huffman observed a chimpanzee named Chausiku in Tanzania chewing a plant known as bitter leaf. The animal had been without appetite for days and recovered the next day; it was later found that the plant had antiparasitic properties. Since then, self-care has been documented in ants, bumblebees, mosquitoes, chimpanzees, orangutans, and, more recently, elephants.
The challenge now is to move from anecdotes to evidence. Fabien Schultz's team wants to follow specific elephants, film their feeding and mother-calf interactions, identify the plants they ingest, and analyze their effects in the laboratory. To this end, they have already distributed video cameras to the park rangers on Mount Elgon. Huffman recommends applying a phased approach, similar to the one used to demonstrate the effectiveness of medication in chimpanzees through fecal analysis.
The conservation context adds urgency. The African elephant is threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans. If these animals depend on specific plants to treat their ailments, each episode of deforestation not only deprives them of food but also destroys their natural pharmacy . Schultz summarizes that elephants and local communities share medicines and ecosystems—a One Health story . He also points out that up to half of modern medicines are derived from plants or natural materials, while two out of every five plant species are threatened.
Workshops and seminars to learn about medicinal plants in Spain
In Spain, the dissemination of information about medicinal plants is also gaining momentum. The Segovia Provincial Council, through its Department of Provincial Promotion and Sustainable Rural Development, has presented the " Green Training Cycles" of the "Enreda en Verde" (Get Involved in Green) program. The program includes workshops on medicinal plants , with 30 places available per activity and open to the general public, except for sessions aimed at residents of provincial centers.
The Segovia calendar combines birdwatching, photography, mushroom identification and sustainable harvesting, and knowledge of medicinal plants. The specific workshop will be held on November 18th and 19th , will last eight hours, and will cover active ingredients, preparation methods, precautions, and basic cultivation techniques. It will be led by Raúl Fraile Fabero , PhD in Health Sciences, honorary professor at the University of Valladolid, and author of the Mycological Catalog of the Province of Palencia. Registration is by email, and the deadline for this series is November 9th.
In Bizkaia, the municipality of Mallabia will host the activity "Sendabelarren sekretuak" (Sendabelar's Secrets) on October 17th at 10:30 a.m. This Basque-language event will explore the traditional uses of medicinal plants in the local area. The tour will depart from the square in front of the church and is part of the Bizkaia European Heritage Days, promoted by the Bizkaia Provincial Council. The activity focuses on intangible heritage linked to local knowledge.
In Berriz, the Equality Department's program includes the course " Women and Medicinal Products: From Private to Public ," led by Mentxu Amunategi. It will be held in three sessions and will cover the preparation of syrups and infusions, ointments and creams, as well as cosmetic and personal hygiene products. The training is free and requires prior registration by email or phone.
Rural entrepreneurship and sustainable harvesting in Cuenca
The province of Cuenca also has a recent project linked to medicinal plants. Botánica Guadiela has emerged in Arandilla del Arroyo, a small town between the SerranÃa and Alcarria regions, and is dedicated to the harvesting and processing of wild plants . The initiative has received support from Invierte en Cuenca, a service of CEOE CEPYME Cuenca that advises small businesses and the self-employed.
Its founder, Sarka Voriskova , hand-picks herbs like marjoram, lavender, rosehips, seven-bleeding herb, and immortelle. She then air-dries them, removes stems and blemishes, and blends the herbs to create infusions and spice blends. The entire process is carried out with care, reviewing scientific studies and speaking with local elders to recover traditional uses.
Sustainability is the cornerstone of the project: locally sourced and environmentally friendly harvesting, a workshop powered by solar energy , and eco-friendly, compostable packaging. The final product is hand-packaged, with manual labeling and meticulous attention to detail. The aim is to take advantage of the area's diverse climates and soils, which foster the growth of species with therapeutic and aromatic potential.
The intersection of research, training, and entrepreneurship shows that medicinal plants are not just a matter for herbalists. Science studies their role in nature, government agencies and associations organize activities to disseminate information about their uses and precautions, and rural projects seek sustainable harvesting. The key lies in conserving the ecosystems that hold this knowledge, confirming their properties with evidence, and avoiding exaggerated promises. Meanwhile, the story of the elephants of Mount Elgon reminds us that other species also depend on this living pharmacy and that protecting it benefits everyone.
