5 Animals with Incredible Healing Powers

All animals are equipped to take care of themselves in nature, with natural defenses to ensure their survival. Now more than ever, scientists are researching different varieties of animals to see how we humans can learn from their different health mechanisms. While the topic is vast, we have highlighted five creatures which, through scientific research, have been found to possess incredible healing powers that can rehabilitate and treat human illnesses.

1. DOGS

HEALING ABILITY: Dogs’ saliva has been found to heal wounds. Moreover, the motion of a dogs’ tongue can aid wounds, as the saliva loosens debris on the surface of a cut.
BACKED BY SCIENCE: Researchers discovered a protein called Nerve Growth Factor in dog’s saliva; wounds treated with NGF heal twice as fast as untreated wounds.
dog licking a little girl's face

A dog's saliva contains healing properties.

2. SNAKES

HEALING ABILITY: A protein in the venom of a Malayan pit viper can help treat strokes and prevent  blood clots.
BACKED BY SCIENCE: While getting bitten by a venomous snake isn’t ideal, using their venom to treat illnesses has been found effective. A protein called ancrod found in the Malayan pit viper’s venom can dissolve blood clots that cause a stroke for as long as six hours after stroke symptoms begin. The venom is currently being used in Europe to treat patients with deep-vein blood clots, and to prevent problematic clots from forming after certain surgeries and procedures.
Malayan pit viper

The ideal way to come into contact with the Malayan pit viper's venom is through a doctor administered dosage.

3. CATS

HEALING ABILITY: Through their deep purring, cats can mend broken bones.
BACKED BY SCIENCE: Frequencies of 20 to 50 Hertz are helpful in speeding the healing process of bone injuries. Feline purring vibrations, which range from 20 – 140 Hertz, can help heal soft tissue injuries to ligaments, tendons and muscles.
Cute cat

This adorable kit could double as an orthopedist

4. BEES

HEALING ABILITY: Bees are the backbone of our ecosystem, providing humans with multiple food sources. Their pollen is a perfect food, containing almost all of the nutrients required by the human body.
BACKED BY SCIENCE: Pollen is rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and bioflavonoids which are anti-viral, anti-bacterial and help in lowering cholesterol. Fresh pollens also contains at least 20 amino acids that build healthy cells.
Bees pollinating a flower

About one mouthful in three in our diet directly or indirectly benefits from honey bee pollination.

5. HOUSE PETS – DOGS, CATS, RABBITS AND GUINEA PIGS

HEALING ABILITY: Household pets have been shown to raise immunities in babies.
BACKED BY SCIENCE: Babies who live with pets during their first six months have significantly lower chances of developing allergies and asthma. Children with pets are also less likely to come down with colds and ear infections during their first year.
a dog, rabbit and kitten

Household pets can build up your child's immunities.