Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that originated in India and has been practised for thousands of years. It is based on the principle of balancing the three doshas (vata, pitta and Kapha) that govern the physical, mental and emotional aspects of life. Ayurveda offers various methods of diagnosis and treatment, such as diet, lifestyle, herbs, yoga, meditation and massage.
Shalakya Tantra in Ayurveda is one of its branches that deals with the diseases and disorders of the head and neck region (anything above the clavicle to be precise). This includes the eyes, ears, nose, throat, mouth, teeth and skin. Shalakya Tantra is also known as Urdhvanga Chikitsa in South India, which means the science of the upper body.
In this blog, we will find out more about this branch of Ayurveda that is both taught and practised at Ayurvedic teaching hospitals like Mansarovar Ayurvedic Medical College.
There are various sub-branches within this branch of Shalakya Tantra in Ayurveda as it deals with a lot of different types of problems of a lot of different organs in its study. Sure they are all sense organs, but very different sense organs – thus requiring intense knowledge of their individual anatomy and workings. These branches of Shalakya Tantra include:
Also Read:The Role Of Swasthavritta In Ayurveda
Shalakya Tantra treatment uses various tools or probes (called Shalaka) and techniques to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the head and neck region. Some of the tools are probes of the eye (Netra Shalaka), probes of the ear (Karna Shalaka), probes of the nose (Nasa Shalaka), probes of the throat (Mukh Shalaka), probes of the lips (Oshta Shalaka), etc. Some of the techniques are:
This is a pulse diagnosis method that helps to determine the imbalance of doshas in the body.
An eye examination method that helps to assess the condition of the eyes and vision. This is followed by eyes treatment in Ayurveda.
An ear therapy that involves filling the ears with warm medicated oil to soothe and heal ear infections and disorders.
This is a mouth therapy that involves holding medicated oil or decoction in the mouth for a few minutes to strengthen the teeth and gums and is a common ayurvedic treatment for dental problems.
A nasal therapy that involves instilling medicated oils or powders into the nostrils to cleanse and nourish the nasal passages and sinuses.
This is a mouth therapy that involves gargling with medicated oil or decoction to cleanse and disinfect the throat and vocal cords and uses various types of ayurvedic medicine for throat infection.
This is a skin therapy that involves applying medicated pastes or poultices on the affected areas to heal skin and hair diseases and disorders.
Shalakya Tantra in Ayurveda is important for several reasons. Here are some of them:
Also Read: What are the Most Common Ayurvedic Treatments in India?
Shalakya Tantra is an important branch of Ayurveda that focuses on the health and well-being of the head and neck region. It helps to prevent and cure various diseases and disorders that affect this region, such as eye, ear, nose, mouth, teeth, and skin problems and even has an ayurvedic remedy for sore throat. That’s not all, as it also improves the functioning of the sensory organs, mental faculties and overall quality of life.
Shalakya Tantra in Ayurveda is a holistic approach that uses natural methods such as diet, lifestyle, herbs, oils, powders, pastes and poultices to restore balance and harmony in the body, mind and spirit.
Shalakya Tantra means the science of the upper body.
The scope of Shalakya Tantra is immense as even fresher doctors with little to no experience and an MD in this specialisation earn between INR 3 - 11 LPA with ease.
The diseases of Shalakya include those of the eyes, ears, nose, throat, mouth, teeth and skin(and even hair).
To become a doctor of Shalakya Tantra, you need to have a BAMS degree, followed by an MD or MS in this branch of Ayurveda.
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