Many years ago, our whole family started taking Jujutsu at the same time. We all love it, but rolling, throwing and climbing comes much easier to the kids! Any activity that involves wooden swords and swings will result in cuts and bruises along the way.
After one class that left us very sore, Sensei (the instructor) shared a traditional herbal remedy. It has been used in Asian countries for pain relief and quick healing for many years. Dit Da Jow (literally translated “plant medicine”) is actually a herbal tincture or liniment filled with healing herbs.
What is Dit Da Jow?
Dit Da Jow is an analgesic that is often preferred by artists. Often, the dance master mixes a special mixture of many aromatic herbs such as myrrh, ginseng, and traditional TCM herbs. The compound helps stimulate circulation, reduce pain and swelling, and improve injury and wound healing.
The tradition came to be known as “plant medicine”. Many people have also found this astringent to be useful for relieving muscle pain, arthritis, and rheumatism discomfort.
Dit Da Jow Recipes
I discovered traditional Dit Da Jow recipes and although it was difficult to find many of them (many were considered secret family recipes), I finally found a combination that worked well for us. Traditional Dit Da Jow uses a long list of herbs from Asia, many of which are difficult to find in the US.
The version I released has the same benefits, but most of the herbs are in the US. Although this should not be considered true Dit Da Jow, it is very useful for our wounds and sores. It helps speed the recovery of martial arts related injuries so I keep it in our natural medicine cabinet.
You can also find a custom Dit Da Jow here if you want to try it.
Benefits of Dit Da Jow
Overall Dit Da Jow helps reduce swelling and speed healing from wounds and sprains. Since all recipes are different, I will give a quick description of the benefits of the herbs I chose.
- Arnica – It is often used for wounds, sprains, and wounds.
- Plantain leaves – A go-to plant to soothe the body and heal minor wounds, cuts and irritated skin. Plantain also helps reduce inflammation and supports recovery from skin damage.
- Comfrey leaves – called “boneknit,” comfrey heals the skin quickly and supports bone healing.
- Incense smells sweet – This resin helps to soothe and promote tissue repair. It is a favorite for soothing sore muscles, joints, and damaged skin.
- Myrrh – Known for its anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, myrrh supports wound healing. It also reduces swelling and relieves pain in injured or broken tissues.
- Fennel – Fennel provides gentle warming and anti-inflammatory support to help reduce tension. It promotes circulation for faster recovery.
- Angelica Root – This root helps reduce pain and inflammation in muscles and joints and supports circulation for a faster healing time.
- Calendula – A gentle herb that promotes rapid healing of cuts, scrapes and irritated skin. It also soothes the body and reduces inflammation for whole body repair.
- Dandelion root – Rich in minerals, dandelion root supports detox and reduces inflammation. It is used to help reduce swelling and muscle and joint pain.
- Horsetail – Rich in silica, horsetail strengthens the muscles and supports bone and joint repair for better stability after injury.
- Nettle leaves – Consisting of minerals and micronutrients, nettle nourishes the body, reduces inflammation, and helps reduce pain in the joints.
- Klove – Clove is a warming analgesic that soothes deep pain and supports circulation for quick recovery.
- Turmeric – This powerful anti-inflammatory medicine helps reduce swelling and pain in muscles, joints, and ligaments while supporting the body’s natural healing process.
How does Herbal Liniment work?
Alcohol removes the beneficial substances from the herbs. When applied alcohol quickly penetrates our skin and works quickly. You may be familiar with making herbal tinctures to take internally, this is just one type of topic. This recipe is for external use only, not a tincture you take internally.
Yes, the recipe calls for a lot of herbs, but I’ve seen it get rid of sores and sores overnight! This Dit Da Jow recipe has been great for our family and I have shared it with others.
Dit Da Jow Muscle Liniment Recipe
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Place all the herbs in a 16 ounce glass mason jar.
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Fill the rest of the jar with food grade, 80 proof or higher alcohol and stir with a clean spoon.
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Put the lid on the pot. Store the jar in a cool/dry place, shaking daily, for at least three weeks and up to a year. I usually leave the herbs for six weeks.
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Add a layer of bedding and add compost herbs. Store the tincture in a colored dropper bottle or clean glass jar.
Use on the skin as needed to help with sores, aches and pains. Do not use damaged or broken skin.
As with any natural remedy, consult a health care practitioner before taking, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition.
Safe and secure life
Dit Da Jow is traditionally performed for months, if not years. Some studies have shown that a group that has stayed up for five years has more value than one that has been down for a year. You probably don’t want to wait that long before using your liniment. I found that even six weeks is enough to get the benefits of the herb. In addition, Chinese root herbs are often used to make stronger traditional foods than plantain, calendula, etc.
You can keep the seeds in a pot and water them as needed. Just make sure the herbs are completely covered in alcohol. Once you’ve used most of the liquid, just cut the straws. Store your Dit Da Jow in a cool, dark place, away from light and heat.
What are your favorite herbal remedies for aches and pains? Share below!
