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Humans have been using medicinal plants since prehistoric [timings / times] . They are still used around the world in traditional medicine. For the [last / first] time, scientists have discovered that chimpanzees also [seek / sick] out the fruits of the forest to heal themselves when [sickness / sick] . Researchers from Oxford University in the UK [conducted / conduced] a study of chimpanzee behaviour at the Budongo Central Forest Reserve in Uganda. The researchers [tracked / tricked] a male chimp with an injured hand looking for the leaves of a fern. The fern had [possessions / properties] that may have reduced the [swollen / swelling] in the ape's hand. Another chimpanzee with a parasitic infection sought [out / in] the bark of a cat-thorn tree. This may have helped to [alleviate / abbreviate] the animal's condition.

The research team said there was [a / the] strong correlation between the chimpanzees' ailments and injuries and the healing properties [on / in] the flora they consumed. The researchers tested plant extracts that were not a normal part [at / of] a chimpanzee's diet. They found that 88 per cent of the extracts [contained / contents] anti-bacterial properties, while 33 per cent of them had anti-inflammatory [qualifies / qualities] . Researcher and [anthropology / anthropologist] Dr Elodie Freymann said: "Pharmacological results [suggest / suggestive] that Budongo chimpanzees consume several species with [portent / potent] medicinal properties." She said her team's investigations [onto / into] the primates' behaviour may [pave / cement] the way for a greater use of natural remedies in our lives.