Criteria for Green Leaf Certificate

The main objectives of the WHO Traditional medicine activities are:

* To facilitate integration of traditional medicine into the national health care system by assisting Member States to develop their own national policies on traditional medicine.
* To promote the proper use of traditional medicine by developing and providing international standards, technical guidelines and methodologies.
* To act as a clearing-house to facilitate information exchange in the field of traditional medicine.

 Tissue Engineering has immense potential to be a niche area in medical biotechnology. Tissue Engineering is expected to revolutionise the technologies leading to organ replacement and the substitution of damaged tissues, e.g.,  in vitro regeneration of tissue including nerve, liver, bone and heart valves. The effort will involve the participation of biotechnologists and material scientists. Groups working at SCTI in the areas of polymer science and bioceramics will be encouraged to initiate the major programmes in this area.

 Ayurveda and traditional medicines: Kerala is the cradle of Ayurveda and the traditional system of medicine is an integral part of the health regime of most Keralites. The Ayurvedic manufacturing sector in the State comprises nearly 760 units with 75 units having GMP certification (report by Ayurvedic Medicine manufacture’s Association). Total export earnings of the Ayurvedic medicines in 2001-2002 was Rs.750 crores and is expected to increase by Rs.5000 crores by 2005.

 Medical tourism is a thriving activity in the State with huge employment potential. A leading Ayurveda company, for instance, has 322 formulations, 19 Ayur-clinics in and outside Kerala apart from a multi crore health resort in Bangalore and 60 franchise clinics. The Company markets nearly 300 classic formulations out of which 22 are patented drugs. A 40 acre herbal plantation near Bangalore as well as new ones in Orissa and U.P. cater to the company’s requirements. The above illustrative example is indicative of the tremendous potential for Ayurvedic medicine and medical tourism. The State Policy will encourage the synthesis of the traditional and modern in upgrading the quality and the content of the Ayurvedic medicines and services.

Karkidaka month is also considered the best month for ayurveidc treatments and ayurvedic rejuvenation therapies. This month is usually accompanied with rain and a cool atmosphere which is good to live an ayurvedic life. After karkidaka month's ayurvedic treatments and adequate rest for the body, people can enjoy and welcome Chingamasam. Chingamasam is the first month of malayalam calendar. Chingamasam is considered as the most auspicious month of malayalm calender.

It's monsoon time in kerala and it is the perfect time to undergo ayurvedic treatments and therapies. Most of the people especially elder people used to take karkidaka kanji. Karkidaka kanji is a rice porridge prepared using traditional methods. This is served both as a food and as ayurvedic medicine. The rice porridge is prepared and an ayurvedic mixture is added to make karkidaka kanji. Nowadays karkidaka kanji is availabale all major shops in instant packets. Karikadaka kanji is proved to be the best medicine for ailments like rheumatism and arthritis.

The discerning tourist can enjoy Kerala at its flowery best during summer, and at its green best during the monsoon. Kerala Tourism is already on cloud nine, with a record arrival of 4.28 lakh foreign tourists during 2006-07. Tourism Director Sanjay M. Kaul says this is a record 23 per cent increase over the previous year. There was a five per cent increase in arrival of domestic tourists (63 lakh people). The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) had during last year predicted an annual increase of 11 per cent in tourist arrivals to Kerala during the decade.

Aimed at promoting `Dream Season,' Kerala Tourism launched road shows in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and New Delhi. This has been complemented by advertisement blitzkriegs in print, Internet and radio. The monsoon is the best time for Ayurveda treatment.

Kerala is already a hot destination for tourists from the Gulf and northern parts of India during the rain, thanks to the summer heat in those places. The present aim is to attract tourists from outside the country as well. Tourism Secretary V. Venu says Kerala has been positioned as a reasonably-priced destination during the traditional lean months. "Hotels slash rates during the monsoon, to fit the purse of budget travellers. Now on, the Dream Season will be projected each year. Our aim is to make Kerala a 365-day destination."