Tiger’s Invigorate Collateral Liniment

Extra Strength Trauma Liniment

Dragon’s Blood Tendon Lotion

Yoga Stretching Oil

Tiger’s U-I Oil

S2 Extra Strength Tendon Relaxing Soak

S2 Master Bonesetter’s Trauma Soak

S3 Extra Strength Tendon Relaxing Soak

S3 Master Bonesetter’s Trauma Soak

Die Da Jiu Trauma Liniment

Eagle Claw Hand Strengthening Liniment

Iron Palm Training Liniment

Muscle Liniment

Tendon Liniment

Tibetan Red Flower Oil

Wooden Dummy Arm Conditioning

Stage 1 Trauma Ointment

Stage 2 Trauma Ointment

Extra Strength Golden Ointment

Bone-Sinew Gao

Herbal Ice

Place the flow-through bag containing the herbs bag in 2-3 gallons of liquid – if you are immersing the injured area (hand, foot, elbow) in the pot, you will need at least 2 gallons of water. Alternatively, for areas like the back, hip, knee, hamstrings, neck, or shoulder, one can soak a piece of flannel or a towel in the mixture, wring the cloth out and place it on the affected part as a compress. In this case, you may need 3 gallons of water. The first day you use the soak, bring the water to boil and then turn down the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. If possible, steam the affected part in the vapor as the mixture cools. Then immerse the affected part in the liquid and soak for 15-20 minutes. If you are soaking cloth or towels in the mixture to use as a compress; soak the cloth and then wring it out before placing it over the injured area. Meanwhile, put a second cloth in the mixture. As soon as the first cloth cools replace it and keep switching cloths for 1-15 minutes.

A Gao is essentially a poultice. Apply a thick coat of the ointment (Gao) over the injured area. Cover with gauze and then apply an elastic bandage, so that the herbal material is pressed firmly against the skin. The bandage should be firmly in place so that the herbal material does not slip, but not so tight that circulation is restricted. Leave for 24- 48 hours, before removing.
Areas like the hamstring muscles, shoulder, or ribs can benefit greatly from a Gao, but they can be difficult to wrap so that the herbal material stays in place over the injured tissues. For these areas, apply a thinner layer of the ointment, almost as if you were painting on the mixture. Then cover with gauze squares and tape the edges down. On a large area, like the ribs or the hamstrings, use rolled gauze to cover the area

Herbal Ice (San Huang San Gao) is the traditional Gao that martial artists have used for centuries for injuries like sprains that are red, hot, swollen, and painful (“inflammation” in modern Western medicine). Herbal Ice is composed of cooling herbs that reduce heat while breaking up blood stasis and dispersing swelling. This is the start of restoring the free flow of blood and Qi. Herbal Ice is an important substitute for ice because ice can create further stasis by constricting blood vessels and congealing stagnant fluids. Many doctors and trainers have now realized that ice causes more problems than it solves.
Herbal Ice (San Huang San Gao) is also the first stage treatment of choice for severe contusions to the muscles, which present with extensive bruising and swelling. Herbal Ice should only be used until the initial heat and swelling (inflammation), are gone or significantly reduced. It is not for long-term use. Residual swelling can be addressed by other gao liniments like Extra Strength Trauma Liniment, Dragon’s Blood Tendon Lotion, or second stage Gaos like Extra-Strength Gold Yellow Ointment (Jin Huang Gao), or Trauma Ointment Stage 2: (Die Da Gao Stage 2)

Herbal Ice (San Huang San Gao) is more appropriate for soft tissue or bone injuries that are red, hot, swollen, and painful. Herbal Ice reduces the swelling and cools the local area while dispersing local blood and fluid stasis. Stage 1 Trauma Ointment (Die Da Gao Yi Bu) focuses more on moving blood stasis and improving micro-circulation. It is more suitable when there is bruising and swelling, without the presence of heat (hot to the touch and red). Stage 1 Trauma Ointment contains many blood-moving herbs whose warming nature is offset by a very large dosage of Da Huang (Rhubarb). Da Huang is cooling and moves blood stasis, making it very appropriate for a Stage 1 Injury.

Stage 1 Trauma Ointment (Die Da Gao Yi Bu) contains many blood moving herbs whose warming nature is offset by a very large dosage of Da Huang (Rhubarb). Da Huang is cooling and moves blood stasis, making it very appropriate for a Stage 1 Injury. In Stage 2, Trauma Ointment (Die Da Gao Er Bu), the dosage of Da Huang is significantly reduced, allowing the warming nature of the other herbs to more strongly warm the channels and collaterals and move blood stasis. These two formulas are an example of using the same formula for different situations with minimal modification.

Extra Strength Golden Ointment (Qiang Li Jin Huang Gao) is generally used for Stage 2 injuries. It is the treatment of choice for Stage 2 injuries accompanied by pockets of swelling or residual swelling. There may still be some heat in the local area but this is not the full-blown hot, red swelling of a Stage 1 injury, which calls for Herbal Ice (San Huang San). Extra Strength Golden Ointment contains cooing herbs that move stasis, like Huang Bai and Da Huang, but it also contains warming herbs that move fluid stasis and prevent the formation of phlegm in the network vessels: Cang Zhu, Bai Zhi, Tian Nan Xing, and Chen Pi. This also combination makes Extra Strength Golden Ointment ideal for sprains or fractures that occur in damp, hot weather, which can increase the tendency for damp and warmth to penetrate the local a and increase swelling and stasis.

If a Stage 2 injury manifests with more blood stasis, rather than fluid swelling, one could still use Extra Strength Golden Ointment, however, Stage 2 Trauma Ointment Die Da Gao Er Bu) might be a better choice.

Extra Strength Trauma Liniment (Qiang Li Die Da Jiu) is the single best liniment for bruises, contusions, bone bruises, and even fractures. Extra Strength Trauma Liniment is much stronger than the more basic Trauma Liniment featured in A Tooth From the Tiger’s Mouth. It is excellent for killing pain because of its ability to move stasis and course the channels and collaterals (meridians). Extra Strength Trauma Liniment also has a strong effect on local micro-circulation – it clears local stasis while simultaneously stopping micro-hemorrhaging.

For Bruises: Put a small amount of Extra Strength Trauma Liniment in your palm and pat it gently into the injured area. This helps it penetrate. Then use your thumb or three fingers to massage sore spots and break up lumps or accumulations. Start lightly and gradually work the liniment in deeper as the pain subsides.

Muscle Pulls: Massage Extra Strength Trauma Liniment into knots in the muscle. Try to break up knots by following the direction of the muscle fibers (i.e. longitudinally). Be sure to massage the liniment into the muscle attachments. For example for a pulled hamstring, first, pat the liniment into the painful area. Then use the thumb or 3 fingers to massage in circles around the sore area. Use the thumb to break up knots by massaging upwards toward the head and downwards toward the feet, following the direction of the muscle fibers. Finally, massage the liniment deep into the crease below the buttocks, and the area behind the knee as the hamstrings have tendon attachments to the bone in both of these areas.

Sprains & Strains: Massage Extra-Strength Trauma Liniment gently into the injured area. If there is swelling, put some liniment on the tip of your thumb or fingertips. Start at the edge of the swelling and rub in small circles around the edge with your thumb or fingertips. Add a little more of the liniment to your fingertips and lighten your pressure as you move inward, slowly and gently working the liniment into the center of the swollen area. Apply more liniment to your fingertips and direct your circles outward from the center, gently pushing stagnant fluids and blood away from the swollen area so they can be re-absorbed. Swollen lumps: For lumps from trauma like an “egg” on the shin. Apply Extra-Strength Trauma Liniment and rub the lump flat. Continue to apply the liniment and rub in circles around the area to disperse stagnant fluids.

For Fractures Gently apply Extra-Strength Trauma Liniment and rub lightly over the fracture. Or soak cotton balls or paper towels with the liniment and apply over the area and then cover with rolled gauze. Reapply several times a day as the liniment will evaporate.

Extra Strength Trauma Liniment (Qiang Li Die Da Jiu) is a very balanced yet strong formula that contains very warming herbs like Chuan Wu and Cao Wu, which are balanced by cooling herbs like the “Three Yellows”: Huang Qin, Huang Bai, and Da Huang. It is excellent for killing pain because of its ability to move stasis and course the channels and collaterals (meridians). Extra Strength Trauma Liniment also has a strong effect on local micro-circulation – it clears local stasis while simultaneously stopping micro-hemorrhaging. Therefore it can be used in all stages of injury where there are stasis and pain.

Dragon's Blood Tendon Lotion (Xue Jie Shu Jin Lu) 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. In comparison with Extra Strength Trauma Liniment, which contains a balanced mix of cooling and warming herbs that do not overheat an inflamed area, Dragon’s Blood 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 into the injured area.

Dragon’s Blood Tendon Lotion should not be used when there are residual heat and redness (“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 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 Dragon’s Blood Tendon Lotion. If you are still not sure, apply Dragon’s Blood Tendon Lotion twice a day for 1 or 2 days. If pain worsens switch to Trauma Liniment.

To apply, put a small amount of Dragon’s Blood Tendon Lotion on the ball of your thumb or on the pads of 2 or 3 fingers. Massage the liniment gently into the injured area. Pressure should be deep enough to penetrate, but not so deep as to be painful. Make small circles with your thumb or fingers in order to work the liniment into the injured tissues. Continue to rub the liniment into the area for several minutes adding more to your fingers as needed. For an injury like shin splints, where small micro-tears in the muscle are pulling the muscle away from the bone, massage in circles gently toward the bone using Dragon’s Blood Tendon Lotion.

No. In sinew injuries, herbal soaks are very important to relax sinews and break up accumulations of congealed blood. However, with fractures, soaks can be detrimental. Many of the blood-dispersing, spasm-relaxing soaks used in Stage 2 and Stage 3 injuries can slow bone healing because they have a dispersing, spreading effect on the Qi and blood, whereas herbs formulas that help heal broken bones have a consolidating, action that concentrates the Qi and blood. After the bones have knit, soaks can be used to improve circulation, dispel cold, or relax spasmed tissues.

Overstretched ligaments respond well to Bone-Sinew Gao (Gu Ji Wai Shang Xiao Tong Gao), which helps tighten and strengthen the ligaments. BoneSinew Gao is even more effective if used in conjunction with an internal formula like Stage 3 Bone Knitting Pill (Jie Gu Wan San Bu) This pill moves stasis and tonifies the liver and kidney to strengthen the sinews and bones. Bone Knitting Pill – Stage 3 contains many herbs that specifically speed bone knitting and strengthen the ligaments and tendons. It is based on an ancient Shaolin formula that was tested for centuries by martial artists.
In cases of constitutionally loose joint, or repeated dislocations that have led to joint instability, one should start with Stage 3 Bone Knitting Pill for one to two weeks and then switch to Strengthen Sinew Pills (Bu Jin Wan), which can safely be taken for a month or more.

Tiger's Invigorate Collateral Liniment (Hu Biao Huo Luo You) is specifically designed for wind-cold, damp that is lodged in the joints, causing stiffness and pain – Bi Syndrome. This formula includes vine medicinals that are traditionally used for joint pain because they open the channels and collaterals, free restrictions in the sinews, and dispel wind and dampness. The additions of herbs like Fang Feng and Gou Teng, which track down and dispel wind, increase its effectiveness with Bi Syndrome Tiger's Invigorate Collateral Liniment is energetically balanced with warming and cooling herbs, making it suitable for both warm and cold Bi (obstruction) Syndrome conditions.

For Stage 1 Fractures (0-7 days, or even 0-14 days), the key is to dispel stasis. Unresolved stasis is one of the main causes of delayed bone healing. The herbal treatment of choice is the Blood Stasis Trauma Pill (Huo Xue Die Da Wan). In Stage 2 Fracture Healing, Stage 2 Bone Knitting Pill (Jie Gu Wan Er Bu) is more appropriate because it continues to move stasis, but also adds a few tonic herbs that help to heal and strengthen bone and sinew.

If there is deficient Qi, with the danger of wind, cold, and damp penetration into the injured area, the Bonesetter’s Special Pill (Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan) might be more appropriate at this stage. In Stage 3 Fracture Healing, the most appropriate formula is the Stage 3 Bone Knitting Pill (Jie Gu Wan San Bu)). Stage 3 Bone Knitting Pill contains many herbs that significantly speed up bone knitting and strengthen the ligaments and tendons. It is based on an ancient Shaolin formula that was tested for centuries by martial artists. However, if there is still a lot of unresolved stasis in Stage 3, one should start with the Blood Stasis Trauma Pill (Huo Xue Die Da Wan) for 5-7 days and then switch to Stage 3 Bone Knitting Pill (Jie Gu Wan San Bu).

In general, skin reactions are rare with these products. Some people have sensitive skin. Ointments like Gao soaks and liniments, particularly those that contain warming herbs, can irritate the skin, causing an itch or a rash. This happens most commonly with the Bone-Sinew Gao (Gu Ji Wai Shang Xiao Tong Gao), or the Warming Soak (Wen Jing Huo Luo Jin Ji). Fair-skinned people seem particularly susceptible to this. If you do get a rash, simply remove the plaster or poultice and air out the skin. Never use Gao together with heating pads or other heat sources. This combination can overheat the area and cause a burn. Some liniments may be used with wet heat or a heat lamp. If you have just had a heating pad on the injured area or just been in a sauna or jacuzzi, let the skin cool before applying a Gao or liniment.

If you have sensitive skin, it can be useful to do a skin test – before using the product, apply a little bit of the product to a small area of the skin and see if it reacts.

Bone-Sinew Ointment Gao can cause a rash and itching, even in those with skin that is not sensitive. This is annoying but does not detract from the therapeutic action of the Gao. Wash the area carefully after removing the Gao and applying a moisturizer. Usually, this is sufficient to resolve any rash or itching.

Generally 24-48 hours. In an acute stage of injury, it is better to remove the poultice after 24 hours to see if the signs and symptoms (swelling, amount of heat, bruising, etc.) have changed and the situation now requires a different Gao. In more chronic cases like weak and overstretched ligaments, or damaged cartilage that is in the 3rd Stage, one can leave the Gao in place for as long as 72 hours.

Yes. Although the Traditional Die Da Wan contains Ma Huang, which strongly moves stasis in the superficial layers of the body, the Blood Stasis Trauma Pill (Huo Xue Die Da Wan) is an equally, and often more effective formula, used by generations of martial arts practitioners for sprains, strains, and broken bones. Blood Stasis Trauma Pill is a very balanced and comprehensive formula that includes Sheng Di Huang and Qing Pi, a classic combination that keeps blood from accumulating. Wei Ling Xian opens all 12 vessels and the Luo's vessels and dispels wind. Fang Feng also dispels wind, and in this formula is used to prevent a movement toward Bi syndrome. Blood-moving herbs like Mo Yao, Ru Xing, Dan Shen, Ze Lan, and Tu Bie Chong move and crack blood stasis. Zi Ran Tong dispels blood stasis, relieves pain, and promotes healing of bones and sinews Gui Sui Bu (“Mender of Shattered Bones”) helps to heal injured sinew and bones.