Animals have evolved to cope with potential threats including disease and injury, and as a result have developed dynamic solutions to restore health by self-administering medicinal compounds naturally found in the wild. Scientists in search of raw materials for new pharmaceutical drugs are known to follow wild primates and closely observe which plants they select as medicines, to later be analysed in the lab. Nearly 40 percent of all our pharmaceuticals contain constituents originally found in plants.

An animal knows how to heal itself even before symptoms become apparent. Offering appropriate secondary compounds for self selection allows the animal to be in control of its health. An innate behaviour vital to their well-being.

Zoopharmacognosy is an emerging field dedicated to the study of how animals self-medicate themselves. The IIZ promotes teaching the importance of natural medicine to those who care for animals, both domestic and wild. Its aims are to provide in-depth knowledge of this subject for the well-being of animals whose man-made environment suppresses their natural behaviour.

Zoopharmacognosy is the study of animals selecting aromatic plants and plant oils, algae, clay and other natural remedies for health maintenance.  This practice allows animals the opportunity to look after themselves as they would in the wild.

Plants, their volatile oils and other natural non plant related remedies, were at one time the only medicine on this planet, utilised for the survival of the species and employed by mammals since the dawn of time. It is not an alternative or complementary therapy of recent years; it is the oldest therapy known to man that allows an animal to use its innate ability to select the remedies it needs and guide its dosage.  It is this innate knowing that is the key to their healing.

Through evolution many mammals have developed an enzymatic physiology that has adapted to break down and neutralise most plant compounds, acquiring a taste for them when they are needed.  However, a plant’s bitterness will deter the healthy animal from eating it, protecting it form the plants active compounds.  Plant oils are normally taken in small quantities by an animal when it needs its specific medicinal properties. Whether such substances end up being toxic or medicinal in their effects has a great deal to do with dosage. Once the animal has selected its remedy, it will then guide the treatment by inhaling it, taking it orally or by rubbing a part of its body into it.

When taken by mouth, essential oils are rapidly absorbed into the body. Sublingual and surlingual will have the fastest access into the blood.  Due to an animal’s individual physiology this method can provide astonishing results. As soon as the condition is clear, the animal will turn away from the aromas/remedies that were once selected.

When using essential oils on animals, the particular species you are working with must be taken into consideration., since dogs will have a different selection to horses and cats will have their own particular selection of remedies.

Since the success of working with Sinya at the Trust all elephants are offered garlic essential oil, especially if they are found in putrid well water.The survival rate for these elephants, from lung infection has since increased dramatically.