Liniments!
I make two main liniments in house: Trauma liniment and Tendon lotion. Liniments are herbal tinctures that you can use topically, so the herbs are steeped in alcohol for approximately 6 months to several years (I only do this for these liniments, most other tinctures I only steep 4-6 weeks) and then you apply the liniment to the affected area. These are great compared to salves & creams which you just rub on, are sticky/messy or don’t absorb well. The alcohol absorbs quickly and effectively into your skin, and the rubbing action helps with circulation. These are $10 per bottle. Read about them below!
About Trauma Liniment
(adapted from Tooth from the Tiger’s Mouth by Tom Bisio)
Trauma liniment (die da jiu), whose name in Chinese literally means “hit-fall-wine”, is the number one remedy for bruises, contusions, sprains and fractures. Every kung fu school uses a form of trauma liniment to deal with the injuries incurred in daily training. Bruises are usually shrugged off by most athletes as minor injuries that will heal themselves, but over the centuries kung fu practitioners noticed the large bruises or repeated bruising in one area sometimes created accumulations of stagnant qi and blood that could cause serious health problems years later. Trauma liniment was developed to disperse these accumulations and treat sports injuries, thereby prolonging an athlete’s career and health.
It is so helpful in treating a variety of injuries and it has a balance of warming and cooling herbs that help reduce inflammation and swelling as effectively as ice, while the warming herbs kill pain, promote circulation, and break up accumulations of blood and fluids.
· For bruises, sprains and strains: apply a small amount to your palm and rub gently on the affected area (you can apply with a cotton ball instead, but I like the hand better because it helps to penetrate). Start lightly and gradually work the liniment in deeper as the pain subsides.
· For muscle pulls: massage into the knots of the muscle. Try to break up the knots by following the muscle fibers and also rub into the muscle attachments.
Notes: You can apply this as many times a day as needed. Also, this can stain your clothing, so be careful!
About Tendon Lotion
(adapted from Tooth from the Tiger’s Mouth by Tom Bisio)
Tendon lotion is used for chronic injuries to tendons and ligaments. These kinds of injuries run the gamut from old sprains that are slow to heal to recurring tendonitis. While trauma liniment contains a balanced mix of cooling and warming herbs that do not overheat an inflamed area, tendon lotion contains many more warming herbs that act to stimulate local circulation. The inclusion of these warming herbs is very important in treating chronic tendon injuries like tennis elbow because, unlike muscles, tendons do not have an extensive direct supply of blood. That is why these kinds of injuries can be recalcitrant and slow to heal. Increasing local circulation also prevents cold and dampness from penetrating the injured area.
Tendon lotion should not be used when there is residual inflammation. In cases of tendonitis, it is not uncommon for there to be residual inflammation, which can flare up if direct heat or warming liniments, poultices or plasters are applied. So how do you know if there is residual inflammation? If heat makes your injury feel better, it is probably safe to use tendon lotion. If you are not sure, apply it twice a day for 1-2 days. If the pain worsens, switch to trauma liniment.
· To apply: put a small amount of tendon lotion in the palm of your hand. Massage the liniment gently into the injured area. Pressure should be deep into to absorb into the skin but not painful. Make small circles with your fingers in the area and work it into the tissue. Continue to rub for several minutes adding more as needed.
Notes: You can apply this as many times a day as needed. Also, this can stain your clothing, so be careful!