Last year, our whole family started taking Jujutsu. We all enjoy it, but the rolls, throws and climbing aspects definitely come more easily to the kids! Any activity that involves wooden swords and rolling will inevitably create some bumps and bruises along the way.
After one class that left us particularly sore, the Sensei (teacher) shared a traditional herbal remedy that has been used in Asian countries for pain relief and rapid healing for years. It is called Dit Da Jow (literally translated “hit wine medicine”) and is essentially an herbal tincture that is packed with healing herbs. According to this article:
Dit Da Jow is an analgesic liniment traditionally preferred by martial artists. Often a martial arts master blends his unique mixture of many aromatic herbs such as myrrh and ginseng, which are combined to stimulate circulation, reduce pain and swelling, and improve healing of injuries and wounds. The tradition became known as “hit medicine”. Many people have also found this sort of liquid analgesic to be useful for reducing the aching of muscles, and arthritis and rheumatism discomfort.
I researched traditional Dit Da Jow recipes and while it was hard to find many of them (most are considered secret family recipes), I finally found a mixture that works really well for us. I used herbs that can be found in the US, so this wouldn’t be considered true Dit Da Jow, but it has been very effective for our bumps and bruises. It also helps speed recovery of non-martial arts related injuries so we keep it on hand. Store bought Dit Da Jow is available, though I haven’t tried it to know if it is as effective.
As with any herbs, vitamins or drugs, consult with a doctor before using, especially if you are pregnant or nursing. This recipe is for external use only. Any quality sourced organic/wild-crafted herbs will work. It is not inexpensive to make but it is very effective. I’ve seen it get rid of bruises and pain overnight.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of dried Arnica flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried Plantain Leaf
- 1 tablespoon dried Comfrey Leaf
- 1 tablespoon Frankincense Powder
- 1 tablespoon dried Myrrh powder
- 1 tablespoon Fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon dried Angelica Root
- 1 teaspoon dried Calendula Flowers
- 1 teaspoon dried Dandelion Root
- 1 teaspoon dried Horsetail
- 1 teaspoon dried Nettle Leaf
- 1 teaspoon cloves powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
Instructions
- Place all of the herbs in a glass mason jar (at least 16 ounces).
- Pour boiling water to just dampen all of the herbs. (This step is optional but helps to draw out the beneficial properties of the herbs)
- Fill the rest of the jar (or the entire jar if not using hot water too) with alcohol (drinkable, at least 80 proof) and stir with a clean spoon.
- Put the lid on the jar. Store the jar in a cool/dry place, shaking daily, for at least three weeks and up to six months. (I usually leave herbs for six weeks)
- Strain through cheesecloth and compost the herbs. Store the tincture in colored dropper bottles or clean glass jars.
- Use on skin as needed to help with bruises, sore muscles and pain. Do not use on cut or broken skin.
Do you make any herbal remedies? What is your favorite? Share below!
Dit Da Jow saved me from having a black eye for my bachelorette party. I was on the receiving end of a line drive while playing baseball with a 7 year old. Unfortunately my eye caught the ball. It was a week away from my bachelorette party. I was incredibly blessed to have a massage instructor who also practiced martial arts and carried it with her. It was amazing how effectively and quickly it healed. I was one thankful bride-to-be. ????
I forgot where I read it, maybe wikipeadia??, but supposedly testing found the main ingredient in comercial Dit Dar Jow was camphor and methanol – the same thing in Tiger Balm. You could use witch hazel for your extraction, then mix with aloe and tiger balm to make a gel. Going to try this.
Just started Kuk Sool Won and plan on giving this a go for the inevitable bumps and bruises.
Quick question, could this be made into a lotion? Not sure if the alcohol would make it unsuitable.
Alcohols are used in lotions often. It could be. I haven’t tried it but it is a great idea.
I will give it a go and then update here…
Fantastic blog, found it while looking for some “western” jow recipes but found soooo much more on here. Love it. Thank you for all of your hard work.
Would you use this during or after childbirth? I had a lot of bruising and pain after the births of my first 2, needed PT, etc. I had natural childbirth, but the pain in the weeks following childbirth was far worse than childbirth! Now that I’m pregnant with number 3 I really want to have a plan for pain management. I am taking the Pregnan-Tea daily.
Thanks for your WONDERFUL blog!
To my understanding and according to my sons sifu (teacher) a girl who is Menstruating or pregnant should not touch the stuff. If you’re bleeding at all it will cause you to bleed out.
Hi Katie I’m enjoying your articles. Wanted to share a discovery I made with you. I’m taking a weekly course to become a yoga teacher, we meet just once a week for several hours. I’m normally ridiculously sore the next day and sometimes even the day after that. One evening after my yoga class I took a bath with a cup or two of apple cider vinegar in an attempt to get rid of a yeast infection (which worked)! But imagine my surprise when it got rid of my sore muscles as well- I had no pain the next day at all. My friend who’s taking the yoga class with me was just as sore as usual. This may be a quicker easier fix for sore muscels than herbs- which are lovely but can be costly and labor intensive
Thank you for this!! I have had the same jar for 15 years and just getting low. My ex-husband made it and left it and I had no clue how to make more. It definitely works! I store it in the top of my closet. He said to keep it in a cool dark place if it is a clear jar.
Great information, I was recommended to your site from eastmeetswest dot com, they have a link to your site. After reading your post I purchased the herb kit from east meets west and it is wonderful, thank you so much and you have so much great information here.
J
Can you add this tincture to tea for pain relief?
this is an external medicine. don’t drink it
Can’t wait to make my own! I know this is used at the Dojo, and that particular formula is like a miracle!
Looks an awful lot like a tinture I made for a friend a few months ago. He has an old back injury that the doctors cant get figured out and his pain tolerance is pretty high so when hes in pain, hes /REALLY/ in pain. I finally got out the book and basically made a tincture of everything I had that was good for pain, lol. It looked a lot like that list, but with lobelia and a few other added in.
Generally for bumps, bruises and sprains I use straight up lobelia tincture. Sore muscles and joints get a tiger balm treatment and their all better.