Cures in wild animals

Today by pure chance I came across an intestersting book that scientifically documents the impressive healing abilities of wild animals use: Wild Health, By Cindy Engel

I had previously read in a naturopath website that wild animals don't suffer from chronic disease but thought this was probably due to a lack of data than any scientific fact. Now I'm beginning to think that it ties into the theory that all chronic disease starts in the mind... wild animals, as far as I know, don't suffer from the psychological issues that affect man and animals in captivity. 

That almost implies that societal living, which depends on exchange, is a form of captivity because we become dependent on others for our survival. This dependency probably gives rise to expectancies (of reciprocity, of respect, etc.), the unfulfillment of which, seems to me (as my hero, Winnie-the-Pooh would say) to be the primary cause of negative emotions and said psychological issues (which is not to negate the huge benefits of societal living!).

The buddhist goal of "freedom from desire" (which could probably be expressed as "freedom from expectations") seeks to avoid these damaging psychological hang-ups. Perhaps the healthiest option is to learn to live in the trap (of society) without being trapped (psychologically, at least). This is probably what the long-lived communities described in the The Blue Zone acheive.

Of course I'm sure this has all been studied to death but I'm still pretty ignorant. Hopefully the pyschology books I've ordered will help (if only buying a book was the same as understanding its contents!)