The consecration by the Tourism of Kerala of Ayurveda as a flagship destination (Unique Selling Product in terms of marketing) has resulted in a substantial increase in the number of massage centers in most tourist places of the region.

Most of them may approach the Ayurvedic science in a personal way that does not take sufficient account of hygiene and precautions diverse yet well defined.

For this reason, the Kerala government was keen to establish a system of standards for good practice of Ayurveda, and that from March 23, 1998.

Approval was given to all centers that met the required conditions, regardless of hotel classification.

So there is now a very tight system that reflects the quality of services offered, knowing that these health products as well as tourism, which gave birth to two labels corresponding to two levels of quality guaranteed.

Olive Leaf  AND Green Leaf   

Criteria for   « Olive Leaf » certificate

For obtaining Olive Leaf Certificate, Ayurveda centres should observe the following criteria.

1) Technical Personnel:-

• The treatments/therapies should be done only under the supervision of a qualified physician with a recognised degree in Ayurveda.
• There should be at least two numbers of masseurs (one male and one female) having sufficient training from recognised ayurveda institutions by the Government.
• Following the Kerala tradition, male will be massaged only by male masseurs and female by female masseurs.

2) Quality of Medicine and Health programme:-

• The centre will offer only those programmes, which are approved by the approval committee.
• The Health programmes offered at the centre should be clearly exhibited. The centre should also exhibit the time taken for normal massage and other treatments. The generally approved time limit for a massage is 45 minutes.
• The medicine used should be from an approved and reputed firm. These medicines should be labeled and exhibited at the centre.

3) Equipments:

- The Centre should have at least the following equipments.

• One massage table of minimum size 7 feet x 3 feet in each treatment room, made up of good quality wood/fibre glass.
• Gas or electric stove.
• Medicated hot water facility for bathing and other purposes
• Facilities for sterilisation.
• Every equipments and apparatus should be clean and hygienic.

4) Facilities:

• Minimum two numbers of treatment rooms (one for males and one for females) having minimum size of 100 sq.ft with width not less than 8 feet. The rooms should have sufficient ventilation and it should be with attached bathroom of size not less than 20 sq.ft. The toilets should have proper sanitary fittings and floors and walls should be finished with proper tiles
• One consultation room having minimum size of 100 sq.ft with width not less than 8 feet. The room should be equipped with equipments such as BP apparatus, stethoscope, examination couch, weighing machine etc.
• There should be a separate resting room of minimum size 100 sq.ft with width not less than 8 feet, if the centre is not attached with a hotel/resort/hospital.
• The general construction of the building should be good. Locality and ambience, including accessibility, should be suitable. Furnishing of rooms should be of good quality. The entire building, including the surrounding premises, should be kept clean and hygienic.
  

Criteria for the  « Green Leaf » certificate

The basic facilities required for Green Leaf Certificate is the same as Olive Leaf. In addition to the requirements for Olive Leaf, the following additional facilities also are essential to get Green Leaf Certificate.

• The general construction, architectural features etc of the building should be of very high standard. The furnishing curtains, fittings etc should be with superior quality materials.
• There should be adequate parking space in the premises.
• The bathroom should have facilities for steam bath.

The following are additional desirable conditions to get Green Leaf Certificate.

• There should be separate hall for meditation/yoga.
• The centres should be at picturesque locations with greenery in abundance and quiet atmosphere.
• There should be herbal garden attached to the centre.