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Equine Muscle Liniments

Liniments for Horses
​
Topical treatments for pain, swelling, and healing

Whole Horse Linament for pain, swelling and healingWhole Horse Linament
By Gloria Garland L.Ac, Dipl. Ac. & CH.
Liniments have a long historical background in traditional Chinese medicine dating back to triage on the battlefields. Known as Dit da jao or “fall and strike wines”. These herbal wines were closely guarded family recipes, the secret weapons of quick recovery. When properly modified for the equine athlete, these ancient wines help modern horses recover from sprains, strains, tendon injuries and bruising.

What is a liniment?
Liniments are an extract or infusion of herbs, usually in alcohol; hence, the name "wine" in Chinese. From the Chinese medicine perspective, alcohol invigorates the blood and qi and allows for better penetration into an injured area. Liniments are applied topically with the intention of reducing pain, swelling, inflammation and to speed healing.

How herbal liniments work
Herbs have very distinct jobs and are categorized by physiological function, taste, temperature and body region influenced.  A well-formulated liniment will combine several herbal elements based on these factors.  Ideally, a liniment designed for tendon repair will contain homeostatic (stop bleeding), anti-inflammatory (cooling and inflammation reducing), blood stagnation (bruising) and qi moving herbal components.

Liniment therapy takes a multi-phased approach. Phase one is to stop any internal bleeding with homeostatic herbs like San qi (Radix pseudoginseng), thus lessening bruising and blood stagnation, which if left unresolved slows healing. 
The second phase of liniment therapy focuses on cooling tissues and reducing inflammation with cold, descending herbs like Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus compositae) and Da Huang (Rhizoma rhei). Much like an ice pack, cooling herbs reduce inflammation and allow improved blood circulation.
The third phase includes blood-moving herbs like Arnica (Arnicamontana ) and Dang gui wei (Radix Angelicae sinensis).  Blood-moving herbs enhance the removal of tissue debris and stimulate microphage activity, allowing flesh blood into the injured area.
The result is less inflammation, reduced bruising, scaring and pain and enhanced tendon healing.

natural arnica for horsesArncia flowers
Making your own liniment
Liniments are an infusion of one or more herbs, usually in alcohol. It is economical to brew your own and very easy to do.  Liniments make thoughtful holiday gifts and have a very long shelf life. 
Simple Arnica Liniment
Ingredients:
½ cup dried Arnica flowers
4 cups of either rice wine or vodka.
Combine herbs in a glass jar, cover with a lid and soak and store in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks.  Shake the jar daily.  The result will be a rich, dark amber liquid. I like to keep a small spray bottle filled with arnica liniment on hand in my barn for easy applications

American Liniment
Ingredients: (dried herbs)
4 oz Arnica flowers (Arnica montana )
4 oz Comfrey leaves (Symphytum officinale boraginaceae )
4 oz Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus compositae)
4 oz Goldenseal root (Hydrastis canadensis ranunculace)
4 oz Myrrh (Myrrha)
4 oz Sasparilla root (Smilax medica liliacae)
1 oz Ginger root (Zingiberis officinalis rhizome)

Combine herbs in a glass jar, cover with a lid and soak and store in a cool, dark place.  Cover with 5 cups of which hazel, rice wine or vodka. Soak for least two weeks.
Chinese Liniment (Dit da jao)
Ingredients: (dried herbs)
1 oz Ru xiang (Frankincense) 
1 oz Mo yao (Myrrh)
1 oz Chi shao (Radix paeoniae rubra)
1 oz Mu xiang (Radix saussureae seu vladimiriae)
1 oz San qi (Radix pseudoginseng)
1 oz Dang gui wei (Radix angelicae sinensis)
½ oz Pu huang (Pollen typhae)
½ oz Da huang (Rhizoma rhei)
½ oz Hong hua (Flos carthami tinctorii)
½ oz Tao ren (Semen persicae)
½ oz Xue ji (Sanguois drconis)
½ oz Ding xiang (Flos caryophylli)
Cover with 8 cups of vodka. Soak for least six weeks.
​How to make a great liniment
In a large covered glass jar (never use aluminum) add herbs and alcohol. Herbs can be whole but rough chopped is preferred. Herbs can be sealed into a tea bag or tied in a muslin cloth. Seal and store in a cool, dark place away from direct light. Shake periodically. Decant and use as needed -- there is no need to strain out the herbs. Liniments improve with time. Do not store liniments in plastic for extended periods of time.
​
Using liniments - General guidelines for liniment applications
Liniment can always be safely applied alone, or diluted with water. I like to use a spray bottle to avoid spills and waste. Saturate the area and soak the hair well. Liniment can be applied several times per day.

Other liniment applications:
  • Soak paper towels and use under wrap
  • Use mixed with massage oil for body work
  • Use as a medium for plaster mixed with herbs and used as leg paint
  • Dilute with water for a body wash after workouts
Caution:   avoid open wounds; some grey or thin skinned horses can develop a skin reaction.
Caution with prolonged use under wraps. Rinse with soap and water regularly to prevent sticky build up. Liniments are not for internal consumption.  

Read Article as PDF
Poultices
Take your herbs and add just enough water to make a paste. You can add flour, clay, bran, honey,  etc. to thicken. The paste is spread evenly on the skin up to 1-2 cm thick.

Liniments for our human customers too

Crane Valley Fire Crane Jao.
Crane Valley White Crane Jao Dit Da Jao.

Crane Valley Da Dit Jows
​ Martial Arts liniments

Crane Valley Jows uses the same high quality ingredients found in our products for horses.  Famous for providing relief for practitioners of high impact sports and martial arts, Gloria Garland has formulated her own Da Dit Jows for her human customers.  Great for aches & pains, chronic problems and/or recovery from injury.  

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​P.O. Box 544
Oakhurst, CA 93644-0544

559-683-4434
Copyright ©1996-2025  by Gloria Garland / Whole Horse Herbs
  • Welcome
    • About Us
    • Whole Horse Resources
    • Blog
  • Articles & Education
    • Acupressure Books & Charts
    • Cinnamon
    • Chinese Hemp for Horses
    • Digestive Health
    • Equine Acupuncture
    • Equine Rehabilitation with Herbs
    • Fight Cancer with Fungi
    • First Aid for Horse and Rider
    • Fight Fungal Infections
    • Ginseng
    • Gou Qi Zi
    • He Shu Wu
    • Herbs and Acupuncture for Horses
    • Herbs to Soothe the Stress of Weaning
    • How Herbs Work
    • Huang Qi
    • Jiao Gu Lan & Laminitis
    • Mares and Vitex
    • Promoting Health Naturally
    • Remarkable Reishi
    • Seasonal Skin Allergies
    • Springtime Tune-up
    • ST36 - Zu San Li
    • Suan Zao Ren
    • Tui Na Massage
  • ABOUT HERBS FOR HORSES
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Ancient Herbal Formulas
    • Herbs for Pets
  • Whole Horse Herb Store
  • Our Herbal Formulas
    • Arthritis & Movement
    • Horse Allergies and Skin
    • Calming and Focus
    • Cushings and Insulin Resistance
    • Digestion, Ulcer, & Colic Support
    • Equine Recurrent Uveitis Support (Moon Blindness)
    • Equine Respiratory
    • EPM Support
    • First Aid & Liniments
    • Immune Support
    • Mares
    • Nutritional Support - Antioxidants and Omegas
    • Performance Horse Support
    • Racehorse Support Formulas
  • DIY Horse
    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Arnica
    • Bug Off
    • Green Grooming Your Horse
    • Greenthread Tea
    • Herbal First Aid for Horse and Rider
    • Hops prevent Laminitis
    • Liniments for Horses
    • Loss of a Pasture Mate
    • Make your own Linaments
    • Mullein
    • TCM can Help with Seasonal Allergies
  • Nutritional Support
  • CASE HISTORIES
    • Testimonials
    • Campbell-Arthritis & Movement
    • Spring - Arthritis & Movement
    • Cotton - ERU
    • Chappy- Racehorse Formula
    • Chips - Arthritis & Movement
    • Katie - EPM treatment
    • Altivo de Viking (Alti) - Digestive
    • Malarky - Pigeon Fever
    • Durango - ERU
    • Chance - Agression
    • Miro - Tendon Support
    • Jennifer - Head Shaking