Traditional ‘Fall and Hit ’ Kits Dit Da Jow 跌打酒

One of the classical specialties of Chinese medicine was known as Fall and Hit Medicine, or Die Da Ke 跌打科 in Mandarin. This was the original medicine to treat traumatic injury and pain, and included a wide variety of therapies including , Chinese , physical manipulation, and therapeutic exercises. One of the very characteristic forms of herbal medicine from this specialty was external herbal applications in the forms of poultices, soaks, oils and . In particular, liniments became famous in martial arts circles for their efficacy in treating all sorts of pain and injury. These traditional liniments are called Die Da Jiu 跌打酒 ("Fall and Hit Wine") in Mandarin, or Dit Da Jow in , the name more commonly seen in the western world. While commercially produced Dit Da Jow are commonly available, authentic hand made Dit Da Jow is becoming a thing of the past. Now, martial arts schools can make their own Dit Da Jow with pre-made kits. Each kit comes with a glass container and enough herbs to make either ½ gallon or 1 gallon of finished liniment. The alcohol base, preferably vodka, is not supplied. Several standard pre-made formulas are available (depending on herb availability), or custom made formulas can be made to order.

1 Available Formula Kits

TAIJI (TAI CHI) FIVE FRAGRANCE LINIMENT 太極五香酒 Taiji Five Fragrance Liniment comes from Dr. McCann's Taiji (Tai Chi) lineage, and was a formula used by Taiji Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang. A version of it also was used in the Shaolin Temple, the famous birthplace of many Chinese martial arts. It is designed to treat acute or chronic injury, bruising, low back pain, pain and swelling due to fracture or dislocation, and other similar conditions as it contains mostly blood and moving herbs. The final product is fragrant and a beautiful red-orange color.

½ Gallon Kit - $45 • 1 Gallon Kit $75

NEW INJURY JOW 新傷跌打酒 This formula contains herbs that have a blood and qi moving effect that are also cooling. Therefore it was traditionally used for new injuries where there is redness, swelling, heat and pain – it can be thought of as a type of “herbal ice.” The formula should not be used on open wounds, and should not be used for more long-term arthritis or chronic injuries when there are no heat signs. This is a must have however in martial arts training halls where injuries are common.

½ Gallon Kit - $30 • 1 Gallon Kit $50

SOOTHE THE SINEWS JOW 舒筋跌打酒 This formula moves static blood and warms the channels, and is especially useful for more chronic injuries to the tendons and joints. Martial artists traditionally used this formula to treat more chronic areas of pain or tightness, or injuries that recur with regular training. Unlike the previous formula, it is not used for acute injuries. However, together these two are an excellent pair to keep on hand.

½ Gallon Kit - $40 • 1 Gallon Kit $60

WIND DAMP JOW 風濕酒 In Chinese medicine, arthritic conditions are said to be due to the invasion of wind, damp and cold into the joints. This formula is a classical combination used to treat arthritis, chronic areas of tightness, or other old injuries, especially when pain is worse in cold or in damp weather. It is also useful for chronic neck and back pain. Martial artists who practice Makiwara, wooden dummy, or other striking of hard surfaces can use this formula on hands as a training aid.

½ Gallon Kit - $32 • 1 Gallon Kit $54

2 THIRTY SIX INGREDIENT JOW 三十六味跌打酒 Thirty Six Flavor Jow is a complex traditional formula designed to treat all sorts of chronic injuries or arthritic conditions, and is a stronger formula than the Wind Damp Jow (this is one of the strongest formulas we have). This formula is not for acute injury. This formula contains a number of hard to find toxic herbs that are traditionally thought to be very effective pain management treatment. It also contains snake, a classical medicine for chronic pain and neurological conditions.

½ Gallon Kit - $45 • 1 Gallon Kit $75

CUSTOM FORMULAS Formulas can be custom designed for martial arts schools, martial artists, professional athletes, or other people with similar health concerns. For more information contact us.

To order please contact…

Institute for Classical Asian Medicine 12 Main Street, Suite 12-3, Madison, NJ 07940 • (973) 449-0340 www.asianmedicine.org

Dr. Henry McCann is a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Oriental medicine with over 15 years of private practice experience. He has also practiced Asian martial arts for over 30 years. Initially starting with Okinawan Karate, he lived as a graduate student in Okinawa, Japan where he trained at the Kyudokan in Naha. Dr. McCann is a 3rd degree black belt in Kobayashi-ryu and Isshin-ryu Karate, and a 2nd dan in Ryukyu Kempo. He is a 12th generation lineage holder in Chen Style Taijiquan, and a 3rd generation lineage holder in Hunyuan Chen Style Taijiquan as a direct indoor disciple of Wang Feng Ming.

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