Agni karma: thermal therapeutics in shalya -tantra

Ayurveda has eight branches, like islands in the sea, separated on the surface but connected in the deep as Ayurveda. Among these eight branches “Shalya Tantra” is one of the prestigious branch which manage the diseases not only with the oral medications but also with some therapeutic procedures having marvelous effects on diseases. Shalya Tantra deals with extraction of trana, kashta, pashana, panshu, loha, loshta, asthi, bala, nakha, puya-shrava, dushta-vrana, antar-garbha and antar-shalya.It also explains about yantra, shastra, Kshara and Agni karma. In addition to this, it also helps in diagnosis of various stages of vrana. Ayurveda deals with curing of disease of those afflicted by diseases and protecting those who are healthy. Acharya Sushruta known as “Father of Surgery” has described various conservative, surgical and Para surgical measures for management of various ailments. Para surgical measures are those which are parallel to surgery and equally effective. These include Raktamokshana, Agni karma and Kshara karma. These procedures are best for the patients who are delicate, like Balak, Vridda, Bhiru, Garbhini, Raja, and for those who are unwilling to undergo surgery. Acharya Sushruta has mentioned that the disease which are not cured by Aushad, Shastra and Bheshaja can be cured by therapeutic fire in the procedure called Agni karma. Acharya Sushruta has described a separate chapter for Agni karma and also mentioned about the materials used for Agni karma called Dahanopakarana, the indications and contraindications for the procedure, etc. In the continuity, he also mentioned the season which is best for the procedure along with the types of Agni karma. Acharya Sushruta has also explained about the types of ‘dagdha’ with their management.