11 Integrative Medicine Practices from India Explained

2. Śalya Tantra — Surgery (Ancient Surgical Skills)

Śalya Tantra is the classical surgical branch in Ayurveda, covering wound care, fracture treatment, removal of foreign bodies, and even reconstructive techniques described in old texts. Ancient Indian surgeons documented detailed instruments and step-by-step procedures that show advanced understanding for their time. In practice today, Śalya principles appear in the way traditional healers manage wounds or recommend post-operative herbal care to support recovery. Modern medicine uses sterile surgical techniques and imaging, but historians and clinicians recognize that early descriptions in Indian texts influenced surgical thinking. For North American readers, the take-away is historical: Śalya Tantra demonstrates that Indian systems included precise surgical approaches rather than only herbal remedies. What the evidence says: Historical and surgical scholarship highlights sophisticated procedures in classical texts, though contemporary surgical practice follows modern standards of sterility and imaging (Ministry of AYUSH; PMC). When to consult a clinician: Always use a licensed surgeon or emergency department for trauma, fractures, or suspected infections; discuss any traditional wound-care plans with your surgeon first.