The herb based healthcare system in Kerala has got wide popularity and there is growing demand

for primary healthcare products. But on the other hand there is scarcity for raw materials required

for production as well. Hence a program aiming at promoting primary health care traditions

through conservation and sustainable use of a set of common medicinal plants has been designed

and being implanted by MSSRF. The programme also give emphasis on raising the economic

status of women belonging to marginalized sections and thereby improving their livelihoods by

undertaking preparation, consumption and sale of herbal formulations of nutritive and cosmetic

value. Expenses on medical care of family are observed to be reduced by adopting primary

healthcare practices, which in turn results in indirect savings.

As an up-scaling step of this program, a GMP complied herbal production unit is also being

established in Wayanad district. A group titled as Navachaithanya herbal initiative with 10

women members of Pozhuthana Panchayath, Wayanad is responsible for running the herbal unit.

The products identified for the herbal unit are herbal tooth powder, herbal shampoo in powder

form and other semi processed drugs etc.

The primary healthcare products we promote are…

Item Ingredients Uses

Kattarvazha lehyam

( Kumari Lehyam)

Aloe vera, Allium sativum, Jaggery, Honey, Ghee Useful for the treatment of White

discharges and menstrual

disorders

Medicine for

cracked feet

Turmeric powder, Castor oil, Ghee Useful for the treatment of cracks

on feet

Nellikka lehyam

(Amla lehyam)

Phyllanthus emblica (Amla/ Indian gooseberry) ,Piper nigrum

(Pepper), Elettaria cardamomum (Cardomom) ,Cinnamomum

verum (Cinnomon), Ghee, Honey, Jaggery

Useful for enhancing Lactation

and good health

Neelibhringathi oil

(Hair oil)

Phyllanthus emblica (Amla/ Indian gooseberry) ,Eclipta prostrata

(Bhringraj/ False daisy) ,Cardiospermum halicacabum

(Valliuzhinja/ Heart seed ) ,Indigofera tinctoria (Indigofera)

,Cocunut oil, milk (Cow, goat and Buffalo), Coconut milk

Useful for Enhancing hair growth

and dandruff

Sathavari lehyam Asparagus racemosus (Asparagus) , Elettaria cardamomum Maton

(Cardomom) ,Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ,Curculigo orchioides

(Nilappana) ,Cyclea peltata (Padakizhangu)

Tribulus terrestris (Nerinjil),Hemidesmus indicus (Nannari/ Indian

sarsaparilla),Ichnocarpus frutescens (Palvalli/ Black creeper)

Spermacoce articularis (Tharthavel/ Shaggy buttonweed

),Phyllanthus amarus (Keezharnelli/ Phyllanthus),Ipomoea

mauritiana (Palmuthukku/ Giant potato),Piper longum (Pippali/

Indian long pepper)

Glycyrrhiza glabra(iratti madhuram/ Liquorice) ,Maranta

arundinacea (Koova/ Arrowroot) ,Jaggery, Ghee, Kanmadam

(Shilajith), Sugar

Useful for the treatment of White

discharges, menstrual disorders

and enhancing the semen count

Dantha dhavana

choornam

(Tooth Powder)

Mangifera indica (Mango) leaf,Centella asiatica Urban (Kudangal/

Indian penny-wort),Citrus pennivesiculata Tanaka (Karinaranga)

,Piper nigrum (Pepper), Kala Namak (Indupp), rice husk

Useful for dental healthAdalodaka Lehyam Justicia beddomei (Clarke) Bennetn (Adalodakam),Piper longum

(Pippali/ Indian long pepper),Honey,Jaggery

Useful for the treatment of cough

and Bronchitis

Oil for the

treatment of tooth

ache

Syzygium aromaticum Merr. & Perry (Clove),Acorus calamus

(Sweet flag), Allium sativum (Garlic)

Useful for the treatment tooth

ache

Oragulika Centella asiatica Urban (Indian penny-wort ),Bacopa monnieri

Pennell (Brahmi/ Bacopa ),Eclipta prostrata (Bhringraj/ False

daisy) ,Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. (Panikoorka

/Country borage ),Vernonia cinerea Less. (Puvankurunal/ Purple

fleabane),Trachyspermum ammi Sprague (Ayamodakam/ bishop’s

weed),Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Jathi/ Nutmeg),Piper longum

(Pippali/ Indian long pepper),Picrorhiza kurroa (Kaduku

rohini),Curcuma longa (Manjal/ Turmeric) ,Allium sativum

(Garlic), Piper nigrum (Pepper), Mayak, Kala Namak (Indupp)

,Palkayam

Useful for the treatment of Fever,

ulcer, diarrhea and Digestive Disorders

Pain Balm White Dammer, Honey Wax,lemongrass oil,Eucalyptus

Camphor

Useful for the treatment of Head

ache, joint pain and Muscle pain

Oil for body Pain Vernonia cinerea (Puvankurunal/ Purple fleabane),Allium sativum

(Garlic), Cocunut oil, Camphor

Useful for the treatment of joint

pain, Muscle pain and arthritis

Murivenna Pongamia pinnata Pierre ,Piper betle (Betel leaf),Moringa

pterygosperma (Drum stick),Erythrina stricta Roxb.

(Erythrina),Spermacoce articularis (Tharthavel/ Shaggy

buttonweed ),Aloe vera ,Allium cepa ,Asparagus racemosus

(Asparagus) ,Cocunut oil

Useful for the treatment of body

pain, skin diseases, wounds and

burnings