Traditional Vaidya Medicine of North Gujarat in Patan

North Gujarat's semi-arid landscape around Patan supports a distinct pharmacopoeia used by traditional Vaidya (physician) families practising a blend of classical Ayurveda and Gujarat folk medicine. Harjora (Cissus quadrangularis) bone-setter plant is used as a topical application for fractures. Ajwain (carom seeds, Trachyspermum ammi) is the universal digestive remedy. Saunth (dried ginger) is used for joint pain and cough. Bavad (Ziziphus nummularia) root bark is used for diarrhoea. Vilayati babul (Prosopis juliflora) bark extract is used for throat infections. Vancho (Acorus calamus, sweet flag) root is used as a brain tonic and insecticide. The Patan district has a tradition of navratna vaidya (nine-gem physicians) who were court physicians of the Solanki kings and whose families maintain knowledge through handwritten manuscripts (vaidya-granths). Rajasthan AYUSH departmental initiatives are working with Patan vaidya families to document these manuscripts.