Zootherapy and Traditional Medicine Using Animal Species

Zootherapy—the therapeutic use of animals and their products—represents a cornerstone of traditional medicine across numerous cultures. Historically, practitioners have harnessed the bioactive compounds found in tissues, secretions, exoskeletons, venoms and even faeces to address a spectrum of maladies ranging from respiratory disorders to skin conditions. This field spans the use of invertebrates such as cicada sloughs rich in polysaccharides, to herpetofauna and mammalian derivatives, each offering unique pharmacological potential. Traditional systems frequently contextualise such remedies within holistic frameworks that consider ecological relationships and spiritual dimensions. In recent decades, scientific investigations have begun to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms underlying these practices, revealing anti-convulsant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Concurrently, concerns about sustainability have prompted calls for conservation-aligned harvesting protocols and the development of synthetic or semisynthetic analogues. A growing dialogue between ethnobiology, pharmacology and conservation biology is shaping integrated strategies that respect cultural heritage while ensuring biodiversity protection. Practical applications range from novel drug leads for metabolic disorders to community-based ventures in sustainable insect farming, reflecting the global significance of zootherapy for public health and rural livelihoods.

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Zootherapy and Traditional Medicine Using Animal Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in zootherapy and traditional medicine using animal species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Zootherapy: The therapeutic use of whole animals or their derivatives in traditional medical practices.

Ethnozoology: The interdisciplinary study of the relationships between human cultures and animal species, particularly in medicinal and cultural contexts.

Herpetofauna: The collective term for reptile and amphibian species used in traditional remedies.

Polysaccharide: A complex carbohydrate molecule found in many animal and fungal products, often responsible for immunomodulatory and bioactive properties.

References

1. Edible and Medicinal Progress of Cryptotympana atrata (Fabricius) in China. Nutrients (2023).
2. Invertebrates and herptiles for livelihoods—ethnozoological use among different ethnic communities in Jammu and Kashmir (Indian Himalayas). Frontiers in Pharmacology (2023).
3. Ethnozoological study of animals based medicine used by traditional healers and indigenous inhabitants in the adjoining areas of Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2017).
4. Fecal medicines used in traditional medical system of China: a systematic review of their names, original species, traditional uses, and modern investigations. Chinese Medicine (2019).