The K.P.Pathrose Vaidyan's Kandamkulathi Vaidyasala near Thrissur has initiated a novel project to develop a registry of household remedies and near extinct traditional and tribal medical practices prevalent in Kerala.

Primarily aimed to safeguard, develop and protect the vanished and near extinct traditional medical knowledge of many centuries, the registry will be compiled with the help of schools and colleges in the state. Efforts will be to create comprehensive database of the prevailing and extinct traditional household remedies and tribal medical practices in various places, including medicines, herbs and extinct medicinal herbs.

The information will help not only to develop innovative drugs, but also prevent exploitation of this knowledge by overseas firms and multinationals in this era of our traditional knowledge being patented by overseas firms, according to K.P.Wilson, managing director, K.P.Pathrose Vaidyan's Kandamkulathi Vaidyasala.

As a beginning, the firm has tied up with the botany department of the Carmel College at Mala near Thrissur to collect data from the region. Being a practical experience for the botany students, the firm plans to extend the project to other parts of the state by roping in interested schools and colleges.