TAMWED – MOOLIGAI THOTTAM PROJECT EVALUATION

JANUARY 2012

The Mooligai Thottam project evaluation was carried out between 18 & 24th January 2012 by
Diana Lee in Tamil Nadu on behalf of Tamwed.

Introduction
Mooligai Thottam (herb garden in Tamil) was conceived following work done for a
dissertation that evaluated the results of a Kitchen Herb Garden system designed to
reconnect people with traditional forms of medicine.

The original Project aims are stated below:

“The aim of the project is to enable local people in Tamil Nadu State in South India to reconnect
with traditional methods of healthcare through education and the creation of family Kitchen Herb
Gardens. It will relate to other forms of medicine and healthcare to enable the treatment of
everyday ailments that do not require advanced medical intervention.”

In the long term, the aim is for the programme to be financially self-sufficient as herb production
and processing from the gardens is developed.

This project will:

 Support rural families which would otherwise find it difficult to pay for healthcare treatment.
 Revitalise knowledge about the use herbs in a safe and effective way for everyday
ailments and simple first aid.
 Increase the biodiversity of previously unkempt and derelict land.

It will do this during an initial 22 months programme by:

 Training 20 women as trainers in medicinal plant growing methods.
 Support the training of 10 further women and families by each of the 20 trained women.
 Set up 2 demonstration herb gardens with indigenous plants that will lead to an increased
knowledge of local flora by local people.
 Create a nursery for the provision of herb plants
 Support the creation of 220 family herb gardens thus reaching an estimated 880 people.

This was supported by extensive needs research on a range of health and other issues has
been conducted in the beneficiary areas. Liaison has taken place with Tamwed’s partners
and specialist NGOs in India. Research has established the lack of basic health care in the
beneficiary areas; the remoteness of communities from health facilities; the high incidence of
treatable diseases and injuries; and a decreasing knowledge about traditional medicines.

The current government medical system (allopathic) is only able to offer primary health care to
30% of India’s rural population. Evaluations of the Kitchen Herb Garden systems have shown
that up to 85% of participants are from the more deprived communities and so these projects
actively play a role in poverty reduction. For example, medical expenses can be reduced by up
to five times when using herbal medicines grown and harvested locally.

Project Partners
Tamwed, based in the UK
CRUSADE, based in Tamil Nadu
Foundation for the Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), based in Bangalore.

1
Evaluation against targets
1. Project Manager: Over the course of the project, three Project Managers have been
in place. The first two left for unavoidable reasons. The current Manager appears to
be settled with CRUSADE although without further funding this may not be possible.
2. Demonstration gardens: Two sites were identified as potential demonstration
gardens. The one at Thinaipakkam is already an established herb garden (although
in need of a little care and maintenance) and also commemorates Gill Gorbutt,
Tamwed’s late chair. The second at the Puduppakkam Technology Centre is also the
site of the herb nursery. Both gardens are lacking in signage, which is needed in
order to be a demonstration garden. This is also important for any-one wanting to
collect plants for medicinal use. Signs should be in both Tamil and Latin to ensure
correct plant use. The nursery has provided plants for the gardens with the exception
of Aloe vera, which did not grow so plants were bought in.
3. Trainers: These were mostly recruited from the current staff – health workers. Some
Cluster Co-ordinators also participated. Volunteers have also joined the programme.
4. Exposure visit: the group with gardeners attended a training session at the FRLHT
headquarters in Bangalore and visited the LEAD project in Perambalur. Some staff
have also visited Auroville’s herb garden project.
5. FRLHT training: participants have been trained in the following methods of
assessment – baseline survey (see appendix 1) and Participatory Rural Appraisal
through Rapid Assessment of Local Health Traditions. These were carried out
successfully, identifying 14 herbs and prioritising 20 diseases (see appendix 2 & 3)
6. Open day: a successful open day was held.
7. Training of Trainers (TOT): A total of 6 training sessions were delivered by FRLHT
to the participants. Each covered a range of home treatments for the prioritised
diseases using the identified herbs.
8. Demonstration home herbal gardens: Each of the trainers has established their
own garden that they can use to share information and knowledge. This was initially
delayed due to the weather.
9. Home herbal gardens: Each of the trainers were expected to recruit and train a
further 10 women to reach our target of 220 gardens. By January 2012, the total
gardens was in excess of 400 as most women were training 20 women. No men
have been trained as this has been conducted primarily through Women’s Self Help
Groups. However, some men have shown considerable interest and have worked
with their wives in the development of the gardens.
10. Village level training: each new gardener has received a total of 6 training sessions
covering the identification, cultivation and safe use of each plant. The training was
delivered by those taught by FRLHT.
11. Monitoring points: Jothi Ramalingam, Secretary of CRUSADE, in conjunction with
the Project Manager has provided regular monitoring reports, often with photographs.
A colour leaflet has also been produced to advertise the project.

Identification of plants.

2
Budget
Herbs have been sold to the beneficiaries on the suggestion of Hariramamurthi, the assistant
director and trainer from FRLHT. This has the benefit of recouping a small amount of the
cost and also encourages the gardeners to take good care of their plants. They have been
sold at Rs10 un-potted and Rs20 potted (Rs70 to £1). The majority have been un-potted.

Most of the budget lines have kept within the planned budget. Additional expenditure has
been authorised which included re-advertising of the Project Manager post, additional salary
costs, additional garden materials, and orientation training.
A full end of project budget is expected in April.

Interviews with staff, trainees, trainers, beneficiaries

Informal interviews were carried out with the CRUSADE Secretary and Tamwed Project Co-
ordinator, MT project co-ordinator, Homeopathic Doctor, Heath Workers, Cluster Co-
ordinators and beneficiaries. Subanantham, the trainer from FRLHT who has provided most
of the input was also met. Govindaswamy Hariramamurthi (FRLHT Assistant Director and
Head, Centre for Local Health Traditions, Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine) has
provided a report (appendix 5).

CRUSADE Secretary – Jothi Ramalingham.

Jothi has been involved in the project from the start and was integral to the programme and
timetable. He has been the major communication channel to FRLHT. He found that the
inputs from FRLHT were good, but they needed some pushing to make dates.

There have been staffing problems with the project. Initially it took some time to obtain a
suitably qualified Project Manager. The salary had to be increased to gain interest.
According to Jothi, this is an increasing problem generally. For unavoidable reasons, both
the first and second Project Manager left. Therefore additional money was spent on both
salary and also advertising. The current Manager is working well and Jothi would like to be
able to keep him on. Obviously Sami is aware that his work with Mooligai Thottam comes to
an end in April.

Jothi has overseen the budget and this has generally been within the original agreement.
Additional expenditure was authorised for staffing and essential garden materials.

Project Manager – Narayanasami.

He has an MA in Sociology but comes from a farming background. His previous work has
been with organic farming projects. He comes from Pudukkottai district, Trichy where his
wife and baby currently still live. He is staying at the Puduppakkam technology centre, but
hopes that if the work can be made permanent he will bring his family to the area. Sami also
hopes to be able to develop some of the currently unused land to the growing of organic
vegetables. His family and in-laws use herbs to treat PHC needs and he has always been
interested in plants. Sami has been working with CRUSADE since November 2011. He has
overseen the final phase of the project. This does mean that he has not been able to attend
all of the Training of Trainer (TOT) sessions. However, he has attended subsequent village
level training. He is very enthusiastic about the benefits of the project and would like to see
5,000 home herbal gardens developed.

Homeopathic Doctor – Dr Hari Priya.

Priya has worked with Crusade for a number of years successfully delivering training to
Health Workers, running a clinic at Karanodai as well as regular health camps in the villages.
In addition, she has been very supportive of the Mooligai Thottam project undertaking work
when there has been no Project Manager. Whilst Homeopathy and Herbal Medicine are two
different fields, there is a certain amount of overlap with the plants used and both can be
used to enhance the effects of the other in some cases. This project has increased her
knowledge and enabled her to offer alternative treatment when required.

3
A major observation was the low level of fruit consumption by villagers. Even those with fruit
trees would either sell all their crop or let it drop and rot rather than use it.

Dr Priya offers some dietary advice within her consultations but says that this is a cultural
problem and difficult to change. Additionally, most people are eating white rice, which has
most of the nutrients and fibre removed. Again this would be difficult to change as brown
(unrefined) rice is seen as poor people’s food. Many people receive free rice from the
government. This rice is generally of very low quality, which is nutritionally poor but has
become an important part of the diet further increasing diet related problems.

FRLHT trainer – Mr. Subanantham

Mr Subanandham has conducted the majority of the training sessions on behalf of FRLHT.
He lives in Madurai and organises the Traditional Healers Association there. He found the
trainee’s very enthusiastic and motivated to learn about the herbs. He has also observed
trainers training other women and was satisfied with the standard of their delivery. Visiting
gardens, he gave some input that will help with the maintenance of the plants.

Trainers and beneficiaries

These interviews were conducted with the help of Hari Priya, Sami and Jothi.
The comments include the following:
 Older people have used single herbs such as Tulasi.
 Young people have no knowledge and so have not used herbs for medicinal
purposes.
 There will not be the need to rush to a doctor if herbs can be used.
 There will be a reduction of health expenses.
 Happy to use known ingredients (herbs) rather than unknown allopathic medicine.
 Some men are beginning to show an interest.
 The identification sessions were particularly useful.
 The training was good and effective.
 There has been improved health of the family.

16 gardens in nine villages were visited and a summary of interviews are in Appendix 4.

Training
sessions,
making a
range of
remedies
using herbs
from local
gardens.

Conclusion
The project has exceeded its original target of 220 households creating home herbal
gardens. This also means that the number of people trained in the safe use of herbs for
primary health care has also reached approximately 400 in January 2012. With the
assumption that the majority of households contain at least 4 people and that several of
those interviewed stated that they were already sharing their knowledge with neighbours and
friends the number of beneficiaries is likely to be much greater than 1,200. The feedback
4
from those participating has also suggested that they are expecting financial as well as
health benefits from their training. Participants are able to assess their health care needs
through training from the health workers and herbal trainers to determine if a visit to the
doctors is necessary. Use of the herbs in preference to allopathic treatment can save a
considerable sum of money – up to Rs 300 per visit, which can be 3 day’s wages. By
learning how to use the herbs medicinally, participants have been able to incorporate them
into their daily diet in order to prevent illnesses and treat them in the early stages.

Home herbal gardens

Proposals for future

The links between the two concurrent Tamwed projects – Health Workers and Herbs – is
very evident as many of those trained have been Health Workers. They have incorporated
herbal advice into their delivery giving them a wider range of options to offer. The two
projects could therefore combine to become one health project.

Within the current work practice it would seem logical to continue the expansion of the home
herbal programme by offering additional training sessions. Plants should continue to be sold
in order to cover some of the costs.

As there seems to be a lack of dietary understanding and use of locally grown fruit in the
villages it would be prudent to build this into the health worker programme delivery, along
with the encouragement of growing fruit and vegetables where possible.

The current MT Project Manager is very enthusiastic and keen to continue and expand the
work to incorporate the growing of organic produce.

I would suggest that if possible Tamwed should consider funding Narayanasami for a further
year to ensure that the home herbal garden’s are integrated into the health worker
programme. As a major part of his work however, he should develop the growing side so
that his post becomes sustainable. This will require seeking sales outlets and developing
new income streams – perhaps the growing and selling of organic vegetables, vermiculture
etc. His current wage is Rs7000 (the original budget was for Rs5000). At Rs70 to the £ this
equates to about £100 per month. There should be no additional expense as all the training
and materials etc are paid for. Any material input should be met through the sales of plants.

5
 APPENDIX 1

ANALYSIS OF BASELINE SURVEY

Conducted by Bhavani (original Project Manager) following training by FRLHT.

Panchayat Village No. Households

interviewed
1. Pasuvenpalayam Pasuvenpalayam 21
Pasuvenpalayam colony 5
2. N.E.V. Palayam N.E.V. Palayam colony 22
N.E.V. Palayamoom 3
O.E.V. Palayam 9
3. Arani Pudhiya tamil colony 22
Bharathiyam street 3
4. Arumandhai Arumandhai 5
Arumandhai quarters 6
Pudupakkam 7
5. Mafeskhanpetti Mafeskhanpetti 9
Ambedkari nagar 2
6. Bhudur Budhur 23
7. Jaganathapurum Jaganathapurum 13
Inamagaram 7
8. Athur Athur 18
Athurmedu 8
V.G.P. medu 8
Besthapalayam 4
9. Nallur Solaiamman nagar 4
Gandhi nagar 4
Attanthangal 8
10. Vazhuthigaimedu Vazhuthigaimedu 10
Periyamadiyur 9
11. Thirunilai Kowndarpalayam 25
12. Sholavaram Sholavaram Periya colony 10
Kottaimedu 5
Sholavaram 4
Sozhipalayam 1
Kammarpalayam 1
13. Kammarpalayam Perumbedukandigai 5
Periyamanopuram 7
14. Devadhanam Kumarasimalapabham 14
15. Kaniampakkam Kulathumedu 10
16. Anuppampattu Anuppampattu 18
Anuppampattu Periya colony 2
Anuppampattu Chinna colony 4
17. Nadur Akkarambedu 25
18. Neidhavayal Neidhavayal 20
Rajathoppu 5
19. Reddypalayam Somanjeri 3
Reddypalayam 20
20. Vaayalur Sengazhunermedu 24
21. Arasur Sitrarasur 12
Vadasitnarasur 8
Appalavaram 5
22. Vanjivakkam Sasanapudhur 17
Sompathu 1
Ramanathapurum 1
Vellampakkam 1
TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS 495
INTERVIEWED
NB. The term “colony” following the name of a village denotes that the occupants are Dalit or
Scheduled Caste.
6
a. SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF HOUSEHOLDS

2. Own house:
20 households lived in rented houses. 475 of 495 (96%) had their own house
3. Own land:
139 households (28%) owned land for cultivation. 72% did not own land.
4. Own livestock:
187 (38%) have livestock
5. Access to electricity:
493 out of 495 have access to electricity
6. Access to drinking water:
27% of households are dependent on public tap for drinking water. 72% had a
tap in their own house
7. Access to toilet:
169 (34%) have access to a toilet at their own home
8. Cooking fuel used:
66.7% of households use LPG ; rest use mainly firewood and kerosene

b. AWARENESS, BELIEF & PRACTICE OF HOME REMEDIES

1. Awareness & belief of home remedies
471 (95%) have awareness about home remedies. 474 households have belief
in home remedies. 478 (96.5%) believe that medicinal plants can relieve primary
health care related complaints.
2. Use of home remedies:
410 used home remedies whenever conditions such as common cold, cough,
acidity, diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, insect bite, jaundice, loss of appetite, piles,
snake bite occurred. Rest did not use home remedies for reasons such as they
do not know home remedies; that they do not give immediate relief. In common
(all households interviewed) they believe that home remedies cannot relieve
conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart problems, typhoid,
AIDS, cancer.

c. OCCURANCE OF PRIMARY HARE CARE RELATED COMPLAINTS DURING THE

PREVIOUS 3 MONTHS
1. 314 (63%) reported occurrence of PHC related illness. 126 households (40%)
used home remedies; 60% opted for allopathic treatment.

d. COST OF USE OF HOME REMEDIES & PERCEPTION OF RELIEF FROM USE OF

HOME REMEDIES AND OUTSIDE TREATMENT
1. Cost of home remedies& perception of relief
It was reported that home remedies was most often used at nil cost (54%) or at
an average of Rs 10-20 (46%). Out of the 126 households who opted for home
remedies, 47% had full satisfaction with complete relief; 53% had partial relief.

2. Cost of outside treatment

Out of 314 households reported to have PHC related complaints in the last 3
months, 188 (60%) opted for outside treatment for conditions such as cold,
cough, fever, malaria, typhoid, diarrhoea, heart problems, knee joint pain &
menstrual disorders. The cost of outside treatment incurred by the households
varied from Rs100 – Rs5000 on average.

e. REASONS FOR NON-USE OF HOME REMEDIES

For PHC related complaints such as common cold, cough, common fever, diarrhoea,
headache, gastric problems etc the reason attributed for non-use of home remedies
was:
“do not know home remedies”; “if the condition is severe, home remedy cannot
be used”; “no immediate relief”; “home remedy does not provide relief”; “have to

7
 take prolonged medication (tablets) in conditions like diabetes”; “home remedies
are not available”.

f. INTEREST IN ESTABLISHMENT OF HOME HERBAL GARDEN

All 495 households interviewed have responded positively confirming their
interest in establishing home herbal gardens.

APPENDIX 2

PRIORITISED DISEASES
From an initial free listing of locally occurring diseases the following were ranked and then
prioritised:
1. Leucorrhoea 11. Tooth ache
2. Common fever 12. Acidity
3. Common cold, cough 13. Digestive disorders
4. Menstrual disorders 14. Cracked soles
5. Jaundice 15. General body pain
6. Diarrhoea 16. Tonia ???
7. Anaemia 17. Insect bite
8. Knee joint pain 18. Constipation
9. Piles 19. Allergy
10. Ear ache 20. Conjunctivitis

APPENDIX 3

CRUSADE PLANTS AND USES

Botanical Name Local Name Uses

Hibiscus rosa- Sembarthi White discharge, excessive or irregular menstruation,
sinensis exertion & exposure to heat fever, scanty urination with
burning sensation, nourishment of hair, dandruff
Coleus aromaticus Karpuravalli Wet cough, headache (pain over eyebrows & forehead)
Adhatoda zelangca Adhatoda Excessive menstruation, burning sensation of feet, dry
cough, fever, hoarse throat
Aloe vera Sotrukatralai White discharge, scanty, excessive or irregular
menstruation, menstruation, constipation, wet cough, fresh
wounds, chronic wounds, eye burning sensation with
redness, pain at back of head, scanty urination with
burning sensation, stomach ache, diabetes, liver tonics,
Tinospora cordifolia Seenthil Purifying breast milk, acidity, fever, general immunity,
diabetes (liver tonics), nourishment of hair
Ocimum Tulasi Dry or wet cough, respiratory problems, conjunctivitis,
tenuniflorum fever, worms
(O.sanctum)
Punica granatum Madhulai Moring sickness, anaemia, acidity, diarrhoea, eye
discharge, vomiting, worms
Cymbopogon Lemon Grass General cough & cold
citrates
Sanserviera Marul Earache
roxburghiana
Lawsonia inersis Marudhani White discharge, burning sensation of feet
Asparagus Sadhaveri Scanty breast milk, general immunity, acidity, burning
racemosa sensation of feet, hoarse throat, white discharge
Withania somnifera Amukra Pregnancy – general weakness, excessive menstruation,
chronic headache, general immunity
Andrographis Siriyanangai Fever, insect bites
paniculata
Centalla asiatica Vasmbu/vallarai Fever, scanty urination, mental tonic

8
 APPENDIX 4

HOME HERBAL GARDENS VISITED – January 2012

Village Gardener Designation Comments from gardener

Thirunilai Maniyyammal HW Previously, the husband had used some herbs. They are both now seen as healers within their
Mr Tailor community currently treating 15 families for minor ailments. This is saving families approximately
Dheendhayalan Rs200-300 per visit to the doctor. They have been drying some of the rarer or hard to cultivate herbs
for future use. The garden has many varieties and they are making use of plants that are outside –
wild crafting. Their identification was also very clear.
Recommended a local bonesetter who practices within the village.
Pasuvanpalayam Amudha HW Her mother used to use herbs to treat her when she was a child and so she already had a minimal
amount of knowledge. However, the training sessions consolidated this and also taught her new
things, particularly identification. He has used the herbs to treat both family and members of the
village. Insect bites are frequently treated – often referred to as snake bite! She has approximately
20 plants. Will attend the hospital when there is a specific need just as bleeding wounds. She has
now trained 25 people.
When she attending her 100 days work programme (Govt scheme to provide employment) her fellow
women workers ask her for herbal medicines.
The hospital is 7km away so there is a need to have local medicinal support and the herbs are able
to fill that gap for Primary Health Care needs.
Cough remedy – tulasi, adhotdava , black pepper & ginger + sugar taken as a decoction.
New Ammu CC She has trained another 25 people, 10 of which have gardens. Her village has paid Rs620 for 620
Erumaivettipalayam plants distributed.
Her son had sinus problems with sneezing and headaches, she administered Adhotdava which
cleared his problem. He had tried allopathic which had not helped. She also used this herself to stop
her nosebleeds. Use of Aloe Vera for white discharge (add palm sugar) take for 7 days.
The result of the project is reduced fees and improved health.
Know to “steal” plants from the centre’s nursery! But will grow them on for others, sharing.
New E Dhatchayini Beneficiary Has used a few herbs in the past but is now using more. The training was very useful.
New E Tamalselvi Beneficiary Small garden, herbs are new to her she uses them especially when the children are sick. Also to
treat the mother in law which is helpful for their relationship!
Amudha Beneficiary Her husband looks after the village church and so they have used a border in front of the church to
plant with medicinal herbs. She generally uses herbs to treat her family (total 5) Treated her son for a
wound and herself with white discharge. She has stopped going to the doctors so often therefore
medical expenses have reduced.
Jayalakshmi Beneficiary Has 10 plants. Only knew the “snakebite” plant (Andrographis) previously for the treatment of bites
and also diabetes.
This training has given her the confidence and awareness to use herbs more often. Uses them for
minor ailments only. The local govt hospital is 10km (private – expensive 7km) Rs50 bus journey.
Daily earnings are Rs80.
Vasuki Beneficiary She has 8 plants; 4 she already knew. The training was helpful to increase knowledge. 7 in family.
9
Sengalaneermedu Sumathi HW 15 plants, mostly in pots due to space. She knew many of the plants before as her mother had taught
her (traditional knowledge). However, this programme has increased and consolidated her
knowledge which she feels has great benefit.
Ramanathapuram Manjula CC Very organised garden, although Mr Subanantham (FRLHT) offers some additional suggestions
about plant placement. She has 22 plants which she received following her training. She said the
level of training (from FRLHT) was good. Subsequently she has been training a further 25 women.
Some have already created their gardens and the rest are to follow suit. The main benefit of using
herbs is a reduction in health expenses.
Anuppampattu Shakila HW Has 15 plants in her garden. 3 were known to her previously and were used in a soup for coughs &
colds. Since the training she has taken herbal remedies and her gas (digestive?) problem as ceased.
She is also providing herbs and information to other local people. Currently training 30 members
from 3 SHGs. Payment for the plants from CRUSADE are Rs10 or potted Rs20.
Akkarambedu Porselvi HW She did not have any prior herbal knowledge so the training gave her the relevant and useful
information. She has 15 plants from CRUSADE and 5 other plants that were already growing in her
area. She has found that there is a reduction in medical expenses especially for minor problems.
Additionally, her families health has improved and a greater awareness of hygiene. Local people are
already coming to her for help. As part of the programme she is now training 22 members for several
SHGs which she enjoys sharing her knowledge and ideas.
Akkarambedu Kalpana CC This garden had approximately 30 plants, neatly aid out with each one carefully labelled (written on
polystyrene). From a very young age she was aware that her mother used herbs so she already had
some knowledge. She was keen to increase that knowledge and so the training has helped a lot.
Valuthigaimedu Sujatha CC 20 herbal plants are being grown in the corner of a vegetable plot containing chilli’s 7 aubergines.
Although her father knew about herbs, she had no knowledge. Her mother doesn’t use them. Since
the training she is now using herbs when needed. Regularly uses Tulasi in the form of a decoction
for the treatment of colds, coughs and fever, staring with 3 days treatment. If no improvement this
carries on for 2 more days. She completed the training of trainers (TOT) by FRLHT and has since
begun training 65 other women in 3 areas. Some people will not be able to have their own garden so
will share. She is also treating other villagers when required. Her son, Kamalesh is helping with the
watering and identified several plants.
Budhoor Akila HW She had no prior knowledge but has gained a great deal from the training given by FRLHT from
CRUSADE. She now has 25 plants and is training 25 people including Bakiyalashmi who is enjoying
her training.

Budhoor Malliga Beneficiary A garden full of potted herbs. She had a number prior to the training. Training will increase her
knowledge so that plants can be used daily. She sees a connection between food and medicine.

HW = Health Worker CC = Cluster Co-ordinator

10
 APPENDIX 5

FRLHT Report, January 2012

Govindaswamy Hariramamurthi

General comments regarding the Mooligai Thottam Project:

Is a well designed pilot intervention. Especially, the linkages to use the local health
knowledge and local plant resources to meet the local primary health needs are well
thought out.

CRUSADE’s organisation:
Is a very capable grassroots organisation with a good team of committed leaders and
staff. Their unique strength is their community base supported by self-motivated
women community health workers.

Tamwed support:
Is very a timely input for such pilot project intervention. Tamwed Team’s moral
support too was a great input for the replication of the project model.

FRLHT involvement:
Our team’s involvement with the project has been quite rewarding in terms of our
learning with both the healers and women health workers of Crusade. We will
continue to work with CRUSADE in replicating the Mooligai Thottam (Herbal Garden)
model to reach out to other target beneficiaries in the Project Area.

Future developments or suggested plans:

We recommend that CRUSADE develops a project proposal to replicate this Mooligai
Thottam (Herbal Garden) model to reach out to other target beneficiaries in the
Project Area to the Department of AYUSH on the theme of health security based on
traditional medicine. We will extend necessary help to them to develop and submit
the proposal in collaboration with Siddha Central Research Institute, Chennai.
Meanwhile, we recommend to Tamwed to extend support to CRUSADE to develop a
pilot programme to develop the livelihood component of traditional medicine in their
project area.

11