Neanderthals knew naturopathy & medicinal plants

Already Neanderthals ate bitter medicinal plants to fight against diseases

07/19/2012

Already over 50,000 years ago, early humans knew the natural healing and ate bitter medicinal herbs for medical purposes. This resulted in an investigation of food leftovers in the teeth of Neanderthals. The international team of scientists led by Karen Hardy from the Autonomous University of Barcelona found among others chamomile and yarrow in the tartar of the relatives of Homo sapiens.

Neanderthals knew the healing power of nature
The researchers studied ten tartar samples from five Neanderthals found in the El Sidrón Cave in northern Spain, between about 47,000 and 50,600 years old. In addition to starch granules and other plant remains, the scientists also found tiny remnants of medicinal herbs such as chamomile and yarrow. „Our results provide the first molecular evidence for the inhalation of wood-fire smoke and bitumen or oil-bearing shale, as well as the consumption of a range of cooked plant foods“, reports the research team in the study report. Since the plants taste bitter, it seems likely that our ancestors knew about the healing power of natural healing.

Karen Hardy and her team are sure that the drugs were used specifically for medical purposes, as in the trade magazine „The plants were neither very nutritious nor did they taste good, and the consumption of the plants clearly indicated that the Neanderthals knew the healing effect. „Apparently, Neanderthals were much more versatile and complex than previously thought, "Hardy said, while meat played a crucial role in the diet, however, the findings suggested that Neanderthals knew the plants around them and their properties were therefore selected specifically for their nutritional value or for medical purposes, the researchers write, so Neanderthals had one „Sophisticated knowledge of their natural environment and the ability to select and use certain plants.“

Remains of medicinal plants were preserved in the tartar of Neanderthals
For their study, the scientists used special analysis methods that made it possible to identify microscopic plant residues and individual organic molecules that the early humans had consumed during their lifetime and were stored in the tartar and preserved. All samples included a variety of heat and fire roasted and broken starch granules. In addition, the researchers discovered remains of grasses, vegetables and nuts. It is striking, however, that only very few proteins and certainly meat-derived substances were found. That speaks for a low meat consumption of the Neanderthals, who lived at that time in the region. For that they would have taken a relatively versatile plant food. This result was also the result of previous studies.

In a Neanderthal, the scientists identified several Azulene and the coumarin compound 4-methylherniarine. These come from bitter-tasting medicinal plants such as yarrow or camomile. „That this individual ate bitter-tasting and low-nutritive plants such as yarrow and chamomile is quite surprising, "reports Stephen Buckley of the University of York, UK, who was involved in the study, for example, Azulen is anti-inflammatory.

„The finds from the El Sidrón Cave have helped to dispel many misconceptions about Neanderthals, "explains Antonio Rosas of the Natural History Museum in Madrid, who is now aware that the Neanderthals were decorating their bodies and burying their dead The new study results showed that they also had knowledge of medicinal plants.

Medicinal plants can be an alternative to conventional medicines
Even today, medicinal plants enjoy great popularity. At the pharmacy, consumers will find high quality phytopharmaceuticals. To specifically select the right medicinal plant or the appropriate preparation, pharmacists recommend a detailed consultation. They are experts and know what new insights and developments could be gained in the researchers, which herbal preparations are particularly well tested and which manufacturers are characterized by a special ability. As a supplement to the consultation in the pharmacy, the Committee for Research Natural Medicine e.V. (KFN) has one at the end of 2011 „Phyto-Compass“ developed. Often, medicinal plants or herbal supplements are a good alternative to traditional medicines. In addition, they often have fewer side effects and are better tolerated. (Ag)

Picture 1: Günther Gumhold
Picture 2: Alfred Teske