Years ago our entire family started taking Jujutsu for a while. We all enjoyed it, but the twists, throws, and climbing were definitely easier for the kids! Any activity that involves wooden swords and rolling will inevitably create some bumps and bruises along the way.
After a class that left us particularly sore, the Sensei (teacher) shared a traditional herbal remedy. It has been used in Asian countries to relieve pain and speed healing for years. Dit Da Jow (literally translated as “wine medicine”) is essentially a tincture or liniment filled with healing herbs.
What is Dit Da Jow?
Dit Da Jow is an analgesic liniment traditionally preferred by martial artists. Often, a martial arts master mixes his unique blend of many aromatic herbs such as myrrh, ginseng, and traditional herbs from traditional Chinese medicine. The combination helps stimulate circulation, reduce pain and swelling, improve injuries, and accelerate wound healing.
The tradition became known as “hit medicine.” Many people have also found this liquid pain reliever useful in reducing muscle pain, arthritis, and the discomfort of rheumatism.
Dit Da Jow Recipes
I researched traditional Dit Da Jow recipes and although it was difficult to find many of them (most are considered secret family recipes), I finally found a mix that works very well for us. Traditional Dit Da Jow uses a long list of herbs native to Asia, many of which are difficult to find in the US.
The version I came up with has the same benefits, but many of the herbs are found in the US. While this wouldn’t be considered true Dit Da Jow, it has been very effective for our bumps and bruises. It also helps speed recovery from non-martial arts injuries, which is why I keep it in our natural medicine cabinet.
You can also find more traditional Dit Da Jow here if you want to try it.
The benefits of Dit Da Jow
Overall, Dit Da Jow helps reduce swelling and speed healing from bumps and sprains. Since the recipes are all very different, I’ll just give a quick overview of the benefits of the herbs I chose.
- Arnica – Often used for strains, sprains and bruises.
- banana leaf – A go-to herb to soothe and heal minor wounds, cuts and irritated skin. Banana also helps reduce inflammation and promotes recovery from skin damage.
- comfrey leaf – Nicknamed “boneknit,” comfrey quickly heals the skin and promotes bone healing.
- Incense – This resin helps calm inflammation and promote tissue repair. It is a favorite for soothing sore muscles, joints, and damaged skin topically.
- Myrrh – Known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, myrrh promotes wound healing. It also reduces swelling and relieves pain in bruised or strained tissues.
- Fennel – Fennel offers gentle warming and anti-inflammatory support to help relieve muscle tension. It also promotes circulation for faster recovery.
- angelica root – This warming root helps relieve pain and inflammation in muscles and joints while promoting circulation for faster healing times.
- Calendula – A gentle herb that promotes rapid healing of cuts, scrapes and irritated skin. It is also soothing and reduces inflammation for overall tissue repair.
- dandelion root – Rich in minerals, dandelion root promotes detoxification and reduces inflammation. It is used to help reduce swelling in sore muscles and joints.
- Horsetail – With a high silica content, horsetail strengthens connective tissues and promotes the repair of bones and ligaments for better resilience after an injury.
- nettle leaf – Packed with minerals and micronutrients, nettle nourishes tissues, reduces inflammation and helps relieve muscle and joint pain.
- Nail – Clove is a warm analgesic that relieves deep muscle pain and promotes circulation for a faster recovery.
- Turmeric – This powerful anti-inflammatory herb helps reduce swelling and pain in muscles, joints, and ligaments while supporting the body’s natural healing process.
How does herbal liniment work?
Alcohol extracts the beneficial properties of herbs. When applied topically, alcohol is quickly absorbed into our skin and acts quickly. You may be familiar with preparing herbal tinctures to take internally; this is just a topical version. This recipe is for external use only, it is not the type of tincture that is taken internally.
Yes, the recipe calls for a lot of herbs, but I have seen it eliminate bruises and pain overnight! This Dit Da Jow recipe has been really effective for our family and others I’ve shared it with.
Dit Da Jow Muscle Liniment Recipe
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Place all herbs in a 16-ounce glass jar.
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Fill the rest of the jar with food-grade alcohol, 80 proof or higher, and stir with a clean spoon.
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Put the lid on the jar. Store the bottle in a cool/dry place, shaking daily, for at least three weeks and up to 1 year. I usually leave the herbs for six weeks.
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Strain through cheesecloth and compost the herbs. Store the tincture in colored dropper bottles or clean glass bottles.
Use on skin as needed to help with bruises, muscle aches and pain. Do not use on cut or broken skin.
As with any natural remedy, consult with a natural health professional before using, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have medical conditions.
Shelf life and storage
Traditionally, Dit Da Jow is brewed over months, if not years. Some research has shown that a batch steeped for 5 years had significantly more benefits than one steeped for 1 year. However, you probably don’t want to wait that long before using the liniment. I found that even 6 weeks is enough to get the benefits of herbs. Additionally, traditional recipes are usually made with Chinese herbal roots that are harder than plantain, calendula, etc.
You can store the herbs in the jar and strain the liquid as needed. Just make sure the herbs are completely covered in alcohol. Once you’ve used more liquid, simply strain the herbs. Store your Dit Da Jow in a cool, dark place, away from direct light and heat.
What are your favorite herbal remedies for muscle aches and pains? Share it below!
