Shalakya
tantra is one of the eight branches of Ashtang Ayurveda that deals with
the disease of eyes, ears, nose, throat and the head. In other words it
deals with the disease of Urdhva Jatru region i.e. diseases in the
organs above the Clavicle (Jatru) and their treatment. In Shalakya
tantra, pathology and treatment of the diseases related to the ear,
nose, Corrhyza and head are described. There is description of surgery of adhrush (palatitis), cleft lip, auroplasty, rhinoplasty, upnah, tundikeri, parvanika, cataract etc. This ayurvedic branch of medicine and surgery related to problems of the region above the neck has also suggested some simple remedies for day-to-day problems like dryness of the eyes, ear-nose-throat and oral cavity. This clearly suggests that ayurved was a science meant not only for advanced diseases but for common health problems as well. Shalyakya tantra is described in detail in the books Sushrut Sanhita, Charak Sanhita and Ashtang Hruday (literally meaning the heart of the eight-branched body of ayurved). To summarize, shalakya tantra is that branch of ayurved, which deals with pathologies in and around the head. Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye, ear-nose-throat and oral cavity are covered under shalakya tantra with special attention to migraine.
