Shaolin Tie Die Yao Xiang Jing

This is the ancient healing liniment used by the Shaolin Monks, it is referred to in the West as Dit Da Jow. When translated into English it means “Shaolin Strong As Iron Fragrant Essence Medicine”. This healing liniment is a combination of Chinese herbs macerated in alcohol for an extended period of time then applied to the skin. This liniment is primarily for trauma type injuries like bruises, sprains and injured muscles. The Shaolin Monks used this when training in the monastery or in the battlefields.

Shaolin Tie Die Yao Xiang Jing herbal kit and a ready made aged 4oz glass bottle.

Shaolin Monks and Tie Die Yao Xiang Jing

History records show the Shaolin Monks started intermittent training in the Northern Song period (960-1126) and were strong proponents of using herbal liniments externally and herbal elixirs internally for healing. What was initially called Die Da Jiu which means fall hit strike wine the Buddhists monks over the years leading to the Ming dynasty they changed the external recipe name to Shaolin Tie Die Yao Xiang Jing as it helped with falls and strikes but also helped strengthen the underlying blood vessels minimizing future bruises, welts and contusions. Plus, the fragrance was enhanced giving it some aromatherapy properties as well as giving it a better aroma after application. In some area of China over the years it has also been called Shaolin Die Da Yao Xing Jing.

Aged Shaolin Tie Die Yao Xiang Jing

Shaolin monks practiced various fighting methods during this period and needed a stronger liniment. They trained in the techniques of spear fighting and intensified their unarmed hand combat (quan) training,  they carried to battle a variety of weapons including steel tridents (gangcha) and hooked spears (gouqiang). However, recorded history shows during the Ming dynasty their was no doubt that the weapon in which they specialized—indeed the one that made their monastery famous—was the staff.

Staff training was very hard and bruising was a constant problem so conditioning the blood vessels was important, they also realized that keeping Qi flowing which is the body’s internal energy and healing  force was very important as it kept the body strong as iron. Shaolin Tie Die Yao Xiang Jing provided all that and was applied after before training. Besides physical training breathing exercises were used to cultivate and increase Qi in the body.

Acute Pain

Training was long and arduous at the Shaolin Temple and injuries occurred as result, these would be classified as acute pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) . It was viewed that the body maintains a balance between the energy forces of Yin and
Yang, in addition between Qi and Blood. Qi and Blood travel together in the the body along specific pathways called meridians. When there is not enough Qi and Blood (Emptiness or Deficiency), or when they are blocked (Fullness or Excess), there is an imbalance between Yin and Yang, the Internal organs are not functioning optimally, and illness and pain develops.

Pain, whether acute or chronic, could have a variety of causes. Acute pain is usually characterized by acute onset, in a short period of time,  the normal functioning of both the peripheral and central nervous systems balance and a good outcome ensues. In terms of modern medicine, acute pain usually is the result of an injury, surgery, inflammation or medical illness. Acute pain often goes away with a variety of  healing processes. One process is the application of external liniments like Shaolin Tie Die Yao Xiang Jing.

Authorized Seller

The only authorized vendor of either product in the USA is East Meets West Intl, any other sellers are selling counterfeit unauthorized products. As you can see in the above photo Shaolin Tie Die Yao Xiang Jing is available in a herbal pack form or aged in a 4oz bottle. The herb pack allows you to make it at home in bulk, just over a gallon, which offers an incredible savings compared to purchasing it in small quantities. The advantage to purchasing it ready made is that you can use it right away, as it takes about 4 weeks for the herbs to macerate in the alcohol before you can use. You can find more information about it here.

There is also another liniment used which will will discuss the history in a future post, it is called called Shaolin Ying Da Li Tan Tie Da Yao, this is for Iron Palm/Hand training where one is constantly striking a hard object or if one suffers an injury to the bones or tendons. We just call this Iron Palm liniment and you can read more about here.