Rohini Causes, Symptoms, Prognosis, Types, Treatment

By Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Rohini is a disease which has been explained in ‘gala gata roga’ or ‘kanta gata roga’ – both mean affections of the throat or diseases of the throat. It occurs in the form of muscular sprouts or outgrowths which develop inside the throat.
Read – Galaganda Causes, Types, Prognosis, Treatment

Table of Contents

Pathogenesis

Consumption / exposure to etiological factors leading to aggravation of one or more doshas
Individual or collective aggravation of doshas
Aggravated doshas contaminate the throat muscles
Manifestation of muscular sprouts / outgrowths (appear like muscular outgrowths)
Outgrowths cause obstruction of throat and breathing which might cause death
This disease is called as Rohini

Rohini is a disease caused by combined aggravation of all the three doshas. The subtypes like vataja, pittaja, kaphaja are diagnosed and considered as per the predominance of any one dosha in the combined aggravation. Example – Vataja Rohini is caused by aggravation of all three doshas together but vata aggravation is more severe in comparison to the other doshas i.e. pitta and kapha and hence the name. The time period in which each subtype causes death is different. Different periods of ‘time of death’ as caused by Rohini are differently mentioned by different authors. Rohini disease caused by each dosha will have different presentation and different set of symptoms.
Read – Types Of Doshas And Their Functions

Types and symptoms

Vataja Rohini

Vataja Rohini manifests with the below mentioned signs and symptoms –

Multiple muscular outgrowths are manifested around the tongue
Presence of severe pain in the outgrowths, throat and tongue
Obstruction of throat
Manifestation of other complications of aggravated vata

Pittaja Rohini

Pittaja Rohini manifests with the below mentioned signs and symptoms

Muscular outgrowths around the tongue are manifested in quick time
Outgrowths spread very quickly
There is association of severe burning sensation and suppuration
There would be severe fever
Manifestation of other complications of aggravated pitta

Kaphaja Rohini

Muscular outgrowths are heavy and fixed
Suppuration occurs slowly in these outgrowths
Severe obstruction of channels of transportation
Causes quick obstruction of breathing apparatus and obstructs breathing
Read – Hoarse Voice Causes, Ayurvedic Treatment, Home Remedies

Tridoshaja / Sannipataja Rohini

Signs and symptoms of aggravation of all three doshas is available in mixed proportions
It is very difficult to stop the progression of this condition
Doshas are deeply rooted
Suppuration and destruction of deeper tissues occur
Symptoms are of all three doshas
This condition is incurable

Raktaja Rohini

Raktaja Rohini caused by aggravated blood and manifests with the below mentioned signs and symptoms –

All symptoms of this subtype of Rohini disease are similar to those of pittaja rohini
Specific signs include manifestation of big blisters
This condition is incurable
Read – Diseases Due To Pathological Muscle Tissue – Mamsa Pradoshaja Rogas

Sanskrit Verses

Prognosis

All types of Rohini throat disorders are caused by aggravation of all three doshas and are fatal in nature. The above said classification, as already mentioned are due to aggravation of one dosha over the other, excluding tridoshaja wherein there is severe aggravation of all three doshas and raktaja wherein there is severe aggravation of blood.

Vataja, Pittaja and Kaphaja Rohini are difficult to cure.
Tridoshaja and Raktaja Rohini are incurable.
The treatment has been described only for the curable types of Rohini i.e. vataja, pittaja and kaphaja Rohini.
In spite of all Rohini being caused by aggravation of all three doshas the first three types i.e. doshic types of Rohini are curable if treatment is done at proper time and with proper measures. The other types are incurable in spite of all efforts sincerely put into treating these conditions.
Read – How To Make Prognosis Of Disease According To Ayurveda?

Kill time of Rohini
Tridoshaja Rohini and Raktaja Rohini will cause immediate death.
Kaphaja Rohini would cause death in 3 days.
Pittaja Rohini would cause death in 5 days.
Vataja Rohini would cause death in 7 days.
Read – Gandamala – Meaning, Symptoms, Treatment

Treatment

Master Sushruta makes it clear that treatments mentioned are only for the curable types of Rohini.

Interventions in all Rohinis which can be cured – The below mentioned measures are administered in all types of curable Rohini (vataja, pittaja and kaphaja) –

Shonita Mokshana – Bloodletting
Vamana – therapeutic emesis
Dhuma – medicated fumigation / smoking
Gandusha – herbal gargles
Nasya karma – nasal medication

Treatment of Vataja Rohini

Pratisarana – After bloodletting, the lesion should be rubbed with rock salt.
Gandusha – gargles should be given using warm unctuous substances i.e. ghee, bone marrow, muscle fat and oil.
Read –

Treatment of Pittaja Rohini

Gharshana – after bloodletting, the lesions shall be rubbed with the mixture of sugar, honey and Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla).
Kavala – mouth rinsing shall be done with decoction prepared with Draksha and Parushaka.

Treatment of Kaphaja Rohini

Pratisarana – after bloodletting the lesions shall be rubbed with grhadhuma (soot of chimney) and katu dravya (pungent substances).
Nasya – drops of oil prepared with Shveta (Hemidesmus indicus), Vidanga (Embelia ribes) and Danti (Baliospermum montanum) should be instilled in the nose.
Kavala – the same oil mentioned in nasya shall be used for mouth rinsing / gargle when kapha is aggravated to severe proportions.

Treatment of Raktaja Rohini

Rohini caused by aggravated blood shall be treated on similar lines of treating pittaja rohini.
Read – Raktamokshana Benefits, Types, Procedure, Indications