The Ingraham Academy of Zoopharmacognosy, headed by the founder of Applied Zoopharmacognosy Caroline Ingraham, promotes self-medication as a necessary component of domestic animal health and trains individuals in how to enable and recognize self-medicative behaviour in animals. We also work in conjunction with several animal charities; helping to rehabilitate a range of animals (cats, dogs, horses, tigers and elephants) with long standing behavioural and/or physiological issues.

Animals have evolved to cope with potential threats including disease and injury and as a result have developed solutions to restore health by self-administering medicinal compounds naturally found in the wild. Zoopharmacognosy refers to the process by which animals self-medicate and naturally forage plants and their essential oils, algae, clay and other natural remedies. This practice allows an animal to use its innate ability to prevent disease. The word Zoopharmacognosy was coined by Dr.Eloy Rodriguez a biochemistry biochemist at Cornell University. The word is derived from the ancient greek 'zoo' (animal), 'pharmaco' (remedy) and 'gnosy' (knowing). Applied Zoopharmacognosy is the art of enabling domestic and captive animals to self-medicate effectively in environments without therapeutic plants. Offering appropriate secondary compounds (such as essential oils) for self medication allows the animal to be in control of its health. 

Zoopharmacognosy is the evolutionary mechanism which enables animals to maintain their health in their natural environment. It is this built in ability which is the key to maintaining their health in domesticity.


An aggressive ram self-selecting at a small breeds farm in Somerset
 

He had displayed extreme agressive behaviour for two years following the foot and mouth crisis. Before this he was very gentle and would often be led into showrings by children. The keepers feared that he would seriously injure someone and unless his aggression was resolved he would be but to sleep. Not shown in the clip is his selection of Devil's Claw, a plant generally selected by animals in pain. Also the yarrow response was not a 'no' as mentioned in the clip. Caroline had to say this as there was not enough time to explain an emotional release for Sunday afternoon TV.

This clip is derived from a documentary produced by Tigress Productions who were making a programme on T Touch with Sarah Fisher.