Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions

About FRLHT

The Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT) is a registered Public Trust and Charitable Society, which started in March 1993 with a mission to revitalize Indian Medical Heritage. FRLHT believes revitalization of Indian Medical Heritage holds two promises for India, one is self-reliance in primary health care for millions of households and the second is, an original contribution to the world of medicine. In 1998, FRLHT received the prestigious ‘ Norman Borlaug’ award, and in 2002, the United Nations awarded the ‘Equator Prize’ to FRLHT for its achievements in the ‘medical plants conservation program’ underway in peninsular India, which is currently implemented by State Forest Departments and Reputed NGO’s, and technically co-ordinated by FRLHT.

Profile of activities

In situ conservation

In collaboration with state forest departments of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra FRLHT has helped in the establishment of a network of medicinal plant gene banks with a total extent of 11000 ha. This network of gene banks capture a high proportion of the inter and intra-specific diversity of medicinal plants of peninsular India including Red Listed and Highly Traded Species.

Ex situ conservation

In collaboration with reputed NGO’s and CBO’s, FRLHT has helped in the establishment of a chain of 14 regional community gardens (called ethno medicinal forests), herbaria, nurseries and thousands of home herbal gardens.

Conservation research

In collaboration with reputed research institutes, FRLHT has initiated species recovery research to save highly endangered species of southern India.

Databases

Multi-disciplinary databases on medicinal plants, covering propagation, agro-technology, trade, distribution, pharmacognosy, pharmacology and traditional medicine have also been developed by FRLHT.

Training and capacity building

The training and capacity building activities of FRLHT include:

• Designing and conducting need based Training courses for forestry staff and NGO's.
• Designing need based Training material on subjects related to medicinal plants conservation and traditional knowledge.

Traditional systems of medicine - Research and Extension

FRLHT is contributing to revitalisation of Indian Medical Heritage via extension programmes, like the “home herbal gardens” which has been established in 120,000 homes in Peninsular India. It carries out applied field research in areas like Malaria, Traditional Orthopaedics and on Local Health Cultures. It is building traditional knowledge databases. It also engages in training and offering technical consultancies.

Laboratory for research in traditional systems of medicine

The major thrust of FRLHT Laboratory is developing quality standards for traditional systems of medicine based on traditional knowledge and using tools of chemical and biological analysis. The laboratory is also engaged in herbal product development.

Education Material production and distribution

FRLHT produces education materials in multi-media on various aspects of Indian medical heritage. Several books and Monographs have been published by FRLHT. A bimonthly magazine called 'Amruth' is one of FRLHT’s well-known publications for dissemination of traditional health care knowledge, to households.

Contact Address

74/2, Jarakhbande Kaval,
Yelahanka via, Attur Post
Bangalore – 560 064
Website: www.frlht.org.in
E-mail: info@frlht.org.in
Tel: +91-80-856800, 8568001, 8565873
Fax: +91-80-8567926