A special branch of the Ashtang Ayurvedic tree, Shalakya tantra encompasses the treatment for the diseases affecting the body parts located that are above the neck. This reveals that the branch of the science of life deals with the causes, diagnosis and curative procedures of the diseases pertaining to the head, ear, nose, eye, lips and throat. A number of methods are formulated for the treatment of the organs of the body, according to the shalakya tantra. In Sanskrit, the word shalaka means a rod or a probe. Therefore, by shalakya tantra, it is meant that the treatment would be done using rods or probes in order to apply medication to the affected parts of the body. Here in this article, we have discussed about shalakya tantra.

Shalakya Tantra In Ayurveda
Treatment of the eye using shalakas is termed as netra shalaka, whereas a probe of the ear is referred to as karma shalaka. Nasa shalaka and mukh shalaka are the names given to the treatment of nose and throat, respectively. Since the treatments are confined to the portion of the body above the neck, this branch of Ayurveda is often called 'urdhvanga chikitsa'. The Ayurvedic texts of Sushrut Sanhita, Charak Sanhita and Ashtang Hruday have given detailed description of shalakya tantra. According to the texts, there are about 72 diseases pertaining to the eyes, whereas the ears are prone to 25 different kinds of ailments. The nose can be affected by as many as 18 diseases, while the lips are easily susceptible to 11 types of diseases. Shalakya tantra finds remedy for all such diseases.

Apart from the various types of diseases, some surgical techniques are also described in the Ayurvedic texts, for the removal of tumors, abscesses and cysts. Different and effective ways to remove the foreign bodies from the regions above the neck are also enlisted in shalakya tantra. If you are suffering from certain common problems like excess deposit of wax in the ear, dryness of the eyes, throat infection, migraine, then the simple home remedies mentioned in shalakya tantra will prove useful. The home remedies have been widely used, tested and proven effective. Moreover, shalakya tantra is not only concerned with the immediate treatment of the ailments, but also with the follow-up treatment, in order to ensure that the disease is uprooted and eliminated. Therefore, shalakya tantra proves to be one of the most effective methods of treating the ailments related to the upper portion of the body, above the neck.

One out of the eight branches of Ayurveda, Shalakya Tantra deals with the etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention and treatment of diseases that are located above the neck region such as the head, ear, nose, eye and throat. It is responsible for all types of problems in and around the head. The name of the branch is so called because of its excessive use of 'Shalaka', which means probe. In South India, the branch is also known by the name - Urdhwangchikitsa. The word can be broken into two parts - Urdhwang which means the body parts above the shoulder and Chikitsa which signifies treatment. In Shalakya Tantra, there are different types of probe that are included. Some of them are probe of the eye (netra shalaka), probe of the ear (karna shalaka), probe of the nose (nasa shalaka), of the throat (mukh shalaka) and of the lips (oshta shalaka).

Textual Reference
The process of Shalakya Tantra includes different techniques that are applicable for the treatment of all the problems. The main aspects of Shalyakya tantra is described in the ancient ayurvedic texts such as Sushrut Sanhita, Charak Sanhita and Ashtang Hruday. The books mainly deal with treatment of different types of conjunctivitis and glaucoma, along with surgical procedure of the removal of cataract and cosmetic surgery such as rhinoplasty and auroplasty (repair of traumatized nose and ear). Apart from the above mentioned complicated problems and of treatment, the three samhitas - Charaka, Susruta and Astanga Hridaya, recommend simple home remedies for minor problems, such as dryness of eye, wax in ear, migraine and mouth ulcers etc. which are being successfully administered even today.

Diseases
Approximately 72 diseases of the eye are discussed by Sushrut Sanhita, including surgical procedures for cataracts, conjunctivitis, pterygium, pre-glaucomatic condition and glaucoma and diseases of the iris/pupil. The branch is not just revolved around the problem and the treatment, but also deals with general aspects. Talking about the eyes, it describes the structure of the eyes in a way that all the intricate things are also dealt with, as in modern science. Surgeries such as hinoplasty and auraplasty have also been mentioned in the texts for cosmetic reasons. The three books, Charak Samhita, Sushurut Samhita and Ashtang Samghrah, also mention the methods regarding the general care of the eye and ENT structures. In addition to this, Shalakya Tantra has listed 25 diseases of the ear, 18 diseases of the nose, 11 diseases of the lips, 1 disease of the lymph glands, 23 diseases of the teeth, 6 diseases of the tongue, 8 diseases of the palate, 18 diseases of the throat-pharynx-larynx and 8 diseases of the oral cavity.