🎧 Doctors by Nature with Dr. Jaap de Roode
I chat with Dr. Jaap de Roode about his new book "Doctors by Nature" and how animals like ants, apes, and even birds use natural remedies! 🐜🐵🌿
We’ve all seen it—whether it’s a cat rolling in catnip with pure delight or a dog eating grass, only to vomit it up later. Are these just quirky animal behaviors, or could they be something more—perhaps even a form of self-medication using nature’s pharmacy?
This week on the show, we’re joined by Dr. Jaap de Roode, a biology professor at Emory University, to discuss his fascinating new book, 'Doctors by Nature: How Ants, Apes, and Other Animals Heal Themselves.' He shares remarkable insights into how a wide range of creatures—from monarch butterflies to chimpanzees and house sparrows—intentionally use plants and other natural substances to treat infections, repel parasites, and improve their health.
Our conversation delves into the evolutionary and learned behaviors behind animal self-medication, as well as the broader implications for traditional and modern medicine. Dr. de Roode also offers practical advice on how we can better support wildlife and our pets by making more informed choices about their habitats and diets. Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion on the surprising ways animals harness the power of nature to heal!
About Jaap
Jaap de Roode is Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Biology at Emory University, where he studies monarch butterflies, teaches biology, and trains graduate students in infectious disease biology. He is also on the board of directors of the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail, with the aim to recreate pollinator habitat. His book "Doctors by Nature: How Ants, Apes, and Other Animals Heal Themselves" is out on March 4, 2025.
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Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a Guggenheim Fellow, CNN Champion for Change, Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, recipient of The National Academies Award for Excellence in Science Communication, and award-winning author of The Plant Hunter. Her day job is as professor and herbarium curator at Emory University School of Medicine, where she leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription to Nature’s Pharmacy or donation to her lab research.
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