To answer that question let's first break the term down.

Zoo - Animal

Pharmaco - Remedy

Gnosy - Knowing

Zoopharmacognosy is the scientific term for the natural way that animals self-medicate with the help of aromatic plants, clays, herbs and algae. 

Since evolution began, animals in the wild have been using plants and other sources to prevent and cure illnesses. If they didn't have this innate ability, they would have become extinct. The most important instinct of an animal is survival and procreation. Scientists have begun to research this and have found that animals seem to know exactly which plants they need to use, and how to use them, to fight issues like parasites, insect bites, worms, digestive problems and infections.

Many cultures have discovered some of their most important drugs thanks to watching the animals and observing what they eat. Natural medicine began as a defence. Every plant has at least one substance in it that ensures its survival, which can also help with our survival. 'People in the forest' are very tuned in to their animals and have great respect for them as their teachers. Animals have given us many of the most used medications today. The top anti-cancer drug comes from a tree!

When it comes to our pets, this is where Applied Zoopharmacognosy comes in. Caroline Ingraham is a leading expert in the field of animal self-medication and founder of the Ingraham Method of Innate Medicine (IMIM). She is an author, lecturer and teacher, with 40 plus years of experience in self-medication and aromatic medicine. She lectures to vets, vet nurses, animal professionals and university students all over the world.

Caroline wanted to give animals in captivity the same choices as animals in the wild to self-medicate.

In Applied Zoopharmacognosy, the animal is offered several different essential and macerated oils as well as dried powdered plants to choose from. I can tell which ones are needed based on the animal's reactions and body language, which can be very subtle.