Global Medicinal Use of Bats: A Systematic Literature and Social Media Review

Abstract

The hunting of bats for food and medicine is one of the greatest threats to bat conservation. While hunting for consumption is the focus of increased attention, the specific medicinal uses of bats are poorly documented, limiting mitigation efforts. Here, we determine the distribution of bat hunting for food and medicinal use and characterize medicinal use practices. We systematically surveyed English-language scientific literature and social media platforms utilizing keywords and hashtags in 27 languages. We found 198 papers and 1063 social media posts from 83 countries and territories. Although use for food was more common, with 1284 unique reports from 71 countries, bats were used to treat 42 ailments of 11 human body systems across 37 countries (453 reports). Asthma was the most common ailment, distantly followed by kidney conditions. Ten organs or body parts of bats were used medicinally, with bat meat (flesh) and fluids (blood, bile, and oil) the most common. Understanding the effects and drivers of specific bat hunting practices will help guide conservation and public health efforts in the communities where bats are hunted. By pinpointing the ailments bats are being used for, outreach and alternative treatments can be introduced to replace the use of bats.

Animals ethnozoology as traditional medicine in the Dayak Tamambaloh Tribe, Labian Ira'ang Village, Kapuas Hulu District, Indonesia

“…H. larvatus is used as a traditional medicine by people in India, China, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Nepal (Tuladhar-Douglas 2008; Riccucci 2012; Lavery 2017). H. larvatus has been used to treat 42 diseases of 11 human body systems in 37 countries and asthma is the most common disease, followed by kidney disease (Tackett et al 2022). H. larvatus is used by people in Bangladesh to treat asthma, arthritis, and fever (Nahar et al 2020) and to increase female fertility in Nigeria (Vora et al 2014).…”

“…Topical feathers of H. larvatus to treat burns, and consumption of cooked brains to improve children's intelligence (Paige et al 2014). The body parts of H. larvatus used as medicine are meat, and fluids (blood, bile, and oil) (Tackett et al 2022).…”

Phylogenetic Analysis and Mutation of Sars-Cov-2 in Bats in Karst Malang City, Indonesia

“…We also collected ectoparasites found in the bodies of bats as part of research sampling. Most people consume these organs because they have been proven effective in treating various diseases, such as asthma and kidney disease (12). Apart from that, we also used blood as one of the research samples because the virus can enter humans through direct contact with infected animal body fluids such as blood, secretions, and mucus.…”

“…There were ±86 initial cases reported in several countries, including Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Indonesia. Ultimately, WHO officially declared Covid19 a pandemic on March Cite this as : 12,2020. It was reported that as many as 634,835 cases and 33,106 deaths worldwide as of March 29, 2020.…”

Large Old World Fruit Bats on the Brink of Extinction: Causes and Consequences

“…This is of grave concern because all extinct LOWFBs were intensively hunted island species (IUCN 2022). LOWFBs are hunted for their meat, perceived medicinal value, ornaments, and even currency ( Jones et al 2010, Wiles & Brooke 2010, Mildenstein et al 2016, Lavery & Fasi 2019, Tackett et al 2022. Bat hunting has a long history in the insular Asia-Pacific region, dating back to prehistory, and is likely of particular importance on islands with depauperate fauna (Hand & Grant-Mackie 2012).…”