Dit da jow (hit medicine)

dit-do-jow

Dit Da Jow is a popular Chinese liniment used to heal external damage such as bruises or sore muscles. There are several different recipes for Dit Da Jow, most of which are considered to be a “secret formula” passed down from masters to students.

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 andrheumatism discomfort.

dit-da-jow prep

Today Dit Da Jow can be bought online and through martial arts catalogs or it can be directly obtained from a Chinese apothecary or master. Commercial ‘hit medicine’ can be bought under such brand names as ‘Tiger Balm.’

tiger-balm

If you purchase Dit Da Jow already made, it is best that you purchase it bottled in glass and not plastic. Authentic Dit Da Jow that contains herbs like camphor, frankincense and myrrh, combined with alcohol can leach the chemicals from the plastic bottle and contaminate the liniment, making it totally useless or dangerous.