Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S

Romantika is a illness described within the context of Masurika Nidanam chapter of Madhava Nidana. The situation has been described in a two-line verse.

So, we don’t discover an elaborate rationalization of this situation. Grasp Charaka has defined this situation, once more briefly, in a two-line verse, within the context of ‘Shvayathu Chikitsa Adhyaya’.

References –

–        Madhava Nidana, Chapter 54, Shloka 13
–        Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 12, Shloka 92

Understanding Romantika

That means, definition

The phrase Romantika is made up of two phrases ‘roma’ which implies physique hair and ‘antika’ which implies finish or close to by to. The illness can be marked by manifestation of small eruptions. These eruptions are discovered on the pores and skin very close to to the roots of the physique hair and therefore the title.

Within the Madhukosha commentary of Madhava Nidana, it has been outlined as ‘Romakupa Unnati Sama’ which implies ‘the eruptions or bumps seem as if the roots of the physique hairs have raised up and elevated over the floor of the pores and skin’. That is the attribute presentation of romantika.

Context, Relation of Romantika with Masurika

Romantika is a kind of Masurika

In Madhava Nidana, the creator has defined this situation amidst the context of Masurika. After explaining Masurika, the creator brings within the context of Romantika after which continues with the reason of Masurika. Romantika is sandwiched in between the reasons of Masurika.  So, the illness undoubtedly has a relationship with Masurika.

The commentator additional explains the explanation for bringing within the context of Romantika amidst the reason of Masurika. ‘Masurikayah Prakaram Romantikamaha…’. Right here, the commentator says that Romantika is a kind of Masurika and therefore has been talked about on this context.

Since Romantika is a kind of Masurika, the causative elements, signs and kinds and prognosis would be the similar as Masurika and so are the remedy ideas and medicines.

Romantika is a kind of Shvayathu

Grasp Charaka has defined Romantika within the chapter of ‘Shvayathu’ – a chapter which discusses several types of swellings occurring within the physique. This exhibits that Romantika is a kind of swelling. Small eruptions within the type of swellings happen in and across the romakupas i.e. hair follicles or physique hair roots.

Whereas Madhava Nidana has interposed Romantika amidst the reason of Masurika – as a co-context or allied situation, Grasp Charaka has defined Masurika after Romantika. Right here we see that Grasp Charaka has most likely given first significance to Romantika after which brings within the context of Masurika. He has additionally talked about that each situations shall be handled on the identical traces and remedy ideas and medicines specified within the context of Kushta – pores and skin ailments, shall be thought of in remedy of each these situations. The essence is to inform that Romantika and Masurika shall be handled utilizing the identical ideas. This not directly means that Romantika and Masurika are related situations with slight variations and are interrelated. This additionally not directly explains that one situation could give rise to the opposite.

Grasp Sushruta has not described Romantika.

Romantika

रोमकूपोन्नतिसमारागिण्यःकफपित्तजाः।कासारोचकसंयुक्तारोमान्त्योज्वरपूर्विकाः।।१३।।

Small, purple eruptions happen on the roots of the hairs making slight elevations. They seem like raised / elevated sweat glands or pores. These eruptions are referred to as Romantika and are attributable to aggravation of kapha and pitta. This situation is related to cough, lack of style and preceded by fever. (Ma.Ni.54/13)

क्षुद्र प्रमाणाः पिडकाः शरीरे सर्वाङ्गगाः सज्वर दाह तृष्णाः|
कण्डूयुताः सारुचिस प्रसेका रोमान्तिकाः पित्तकफात् प्रदिष्टाः ||९२||

Romantika is attributable to aggravated Pitta and Kapha. It’s characterised by the Kshudra Pramana Pidakas i.e. look of small eruptions everywhere in the physique. This situation is related to fever, burning sensation, extreme thirst, anorexia and extreme salivation. (Cha.Chi.12/92)

Nidana: Causative elements of Romantika

Particular causative elements haven’t been talked about for Romantika. It’s mentioned to be triggered resulting from mixed aggravation of pitta and kapha. Subsequently, something which aggravates pitta and kapha must be thought of as causative elements for romantika. In brief, the pitta-kapha aggravating meals, actions and practices must be thought of as nidanas.

Different causes

Since it’s mentioned that Romantika is a kind of Masurika in Madhava Nidana and a kind of Shvayathu in Charaka Samhita, the causative elements of Masurika and Shvayathu may also be thought of as etiological elements for Romantika.

Associated References

Charaka Samhita, Shvayathu Chikitsa Adhyaya

Madhava Nidana – Masurika Nidanam

Purvarupa: Premonitory signs

Jwara – fever is talked about as a premonitory symptom of Romantika. Other than fever, the opposite premonitory signs of masurika too shall be thought of. They’re –

–        Kandu – itching
–        Gatra Bhanga – feeling as if the physique elements are breaking (breaking ache)
–        Arati – disinterest, lack of curiosity in doing something
–        Twachi shothah – swelling of the pores and skin
–        Vaivarnya – discolouration of the pores and skin / physique
–        Netra Raga – redness / reddish discolouration of the eyes

Rupa / Lakshana: Signs

Under talked about are the signs of Romantika –

–        Romakupa Unnati sama Raginyah – small, purple eruptions at and across the roots of physique hairs, barely elevated and seem as raised sweat glands or pores
–        Kasa – cough
–        Jwara – fever
–        Daha – burning sensation
–        Trishna – extreme thirst
–        Kandu – extreme itching
–        Aruchi / Arochaka – anorexia and
–        Praseka – extreme salivation

Samprapti: Pathogenesis

The samprapti of Romantika must be thought of just like that of Masurika. It’s as under defined.

‘Because of the consumption of or publicity to the etiological elements of Masurika, the doshas, primarily kapha and pitta get severely aggravated and get combined with aggravated rakta i.e. blood. The doshas get lodged across the roots of hairs of the pores and skin and trigger elevated eruptions of purple color. That is referred to as Romantika’.

Upadrava: Issues

Issues of romantika too must be thought of to be just like these showing on the finish of masurika i.e. swelling occurring over the elbow, wrists and shoulders / scapular area.

Sadhya-Asadhyata: Prognosis

As in Masurika, in romantika too, the presence of cough, hiccough, diabetes, excessive grade fever, delirium, tiredness, fainting, thirst, burning sensation, extreme cramps and yawning, blood coming from mouth, nostril and eyes, sounds from the throat, problem in respiration signifies dangerous prognosis and the affected person shouldn’t be handled.

Therapy Rules

Particular remedy for Romantika has not been defined. However Grasp Charaka has given common ideas of remedy for Romantika and Masurika. (Cha.Chi.12/93)

वीसर्प शान्त्यै विहिता क्रिया या तां तेषु कुष्ठे च हितां विदध्यात्||९३||

He says that the remedies and medicines defined within the context of remedy of Visarpa – herpes and in addition these prescribed for the remedy of Kustha – pores and skin ailments together with leprosy, are additionally helpful for the remedy of Romantika and Masurika.

In brief, Romantika must be handled on the traces of and following the ideas of treating –

–        Kushta
–        Visarpa
–        Shotha

Trendy Correlation

Masurika is correlated with Measles.

It’s a extremely contagious illness attributable to a virus. It spreads when an contaminated individual breathes, coughs or sneezes. Although it could have an effect on anybody, measles is usually discovered to have an effect on the kids. These days it’s simply preventable by a vaccine. The signs won’t seem till 10-14 days after publicity. Signs of Measles embody cough, fever, operating nostril, infected eyes, sore throat and a purple, blotchy pores and skin rash. Symptomatic administration and stopping dehydration are the principle ideas of treating measles.

Associated Studying – ‘Measles – causes, signs, prevention, remedy, Ayurveda Understanding’