David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities Season 3 Episode 5 Curious Cures

David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities is an informative and engaging documentary series that explores some of the most fascinating and unique stories from the natural world. In season 3, episode 5, entitled "Curious Cures," viewers are taken on a journey through some of the natural remedies and healing techniques that animals have evolved to use for treating their ailments.

The episode begins by examining one of the most well-known examples of animals using natural remedies - the use of antiseptics by chimpanzees. Researchers found that chimps would carefully select and chew certain plants to create a substance that they would then apply to cuts and wounds. This practice is not dissimilar to humans using antiseptic ointments and shows how even our closest evolutionary relatives have developed sophisticated medical knowledge.

Next, the show explores the use of minerals and clay by animals for their medicinal properties. Elephants are known to eat clay, which can help to neutralize the toxins in their diet and act as a laxative. Similarly, capuchin monkeys have been observed rubbing crushed leaves and charcoal onto their skin, which may help to remove toxins, treat parasitic infections, and repel insects.

The episode then delves deeper into the fascinating world of animal self-medication, showing how certain species have evolved to treat specific health conditions. For example, some primates will eat specific plants to induce vomiting, which helps to expel parasites. Other animals, such as sea otters, use a range of natural remedies to treat wounds and prevent infections.

As the show progresses, viewers are introduced to some of the more unexpected and surprising natural remedies used by animals. For example, the show explores how bees create a special antibacterial substance called propolis, which they use to coat the inside of their hives and protect against disease. Similarly, sloths have been observed eating the feces of moths, which contain special nutrients that the sloths are unable to obtain from their normal diet.

Finally, the show looks at how animals use social behavior to help treat illnesses. For example, meerkats have a well-organized social structure, with designated sentries and grooming specialists, which helps to reduce the spread of disease within the group. Similarly, orangutans have been observed creating special medicinal compounds by chewing leaves and mixing them with water, which they then apply to their skin to protect against infection.

Overall, "Curious Cures" is a fascinating look at the ways in which animals have developed natural remedies and healing techniques. From antiseptics to clay, and from social behavior to special compounds, this episode explores the amazing variety and complexity of the natural world, and the incredible adaptations that animals have evolved to survive and thrive.