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Ancient Herbal Practices in the Martial Arts

By Thomas Richard Joiner, Renshi

The blind-eye that’s cast upon the use of herbs by contemporary martial artists — is difficult to understand
— when you consider the fact that in generations past some of the greatest figures in martial arts history have
been as renowned for their herbal knowledge as they were for their martial abilities. Unlike our martial
ancestors, who considered instruction in the use of herbs an important part of advanced training, most
contemporary martial arts instructors either marginalize or totally dismiss the importance of teaching the
traditional healing art, and as a consequence, the great majority of contemporary martial artists through no
fault of their own, lack herbal skills.
References to the conjoined nature of herbal and martial practices can be found in historical
documents such as Yellow Court Canon, an ancient Taoist text written around the 4th century. Among the
contents of the ancient Taoist treatise were herbal prescriptions, along with the keys for deciphering long
held secret-practices that included internal martial arts. The relationship between herbal and martial practices
is also demonstrated in Bubishi the ancient text often referred to as the Bible of Karate. Regrettably, what
was considered an integral part of advanced martial arts training as recently as a generation ago today is in
danger of becoming a lost art!
This is in stark contrast to generations past when a fundamental knowledge of the use of herbs was
such an important part of advanced training — that anyone who did not possess basic herbal skills could not
legitimately lay claim to being a master of the martial arts.
In addition to having a working-knowledge of how to use a variety of herbal prescriptions to enhance
their training, martial artists were also taught how to use herbs to manage injuries. It was a common practice
for advanced martial artists to use herbal formulas for treating broken bones, incisions, stab wounds and
internal injuries that were a result of blunt force trauma, as well as being familiar with poisons such as Chan
Su (toad venom) and Ma Qian (strychnine) that could be used for both healing and killing. Having the ability
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to identify herbs found growing wild in fields and forests for treating potentially mortal wounds was in some
cases a matter of life or death!
Bound by a strict oath-of-secrecy — information concerning exact ingredients and dosages needed to
prepare the coveted elixirs — which had been transmitted by word of mouth from master to student; were
jealously guarded secrets that were only divulged to fellow clan-members who had proven their loyalty.
Even though the blood-oath that was taken under the penalty of death for divulging the secret
information to the uninitiated is no longer enforced, an element of secrecy continues to surround some of the
legendary prescriptions, and as a consequence, a number of highly-valued recipes created by some of martial
art’s most renowned grandmasters were taken to the grave, and much to the detriment of martial arts, have
been permanently lost.
Fortunately, guardians of the time-honored tradition of preserving the ancient herbal treasure have
made it possible for contemporary martial artists to gain access to many of the legendary prescriptions that
survived over the centuries and have been selflessly passed down one generation to the next. This immense
repository of training formulas includes liniments for conditioning the striking appendages, as well as
formulas that strengthen the body and extend endurance. The ancient herbal pharmacopoeia also contains
formulas that increase flexibility and strengthen the bones, along with prescriptions for treating a wide-range
of injuries germane to martial practices.
Although a proportionate amount of respect was afforded all of the different prescriptions once their
effectiveness had been proven, if the value of one type of formula over another is determined by how
frequently it’s used, formulas called Chi Tonics are arguably the most prized prescriptions in the martial
artist’s herbal arsenal.
These powerful elixirs, which have been used extensively throughout the histories of both Karate and
Kung Fu, often contain Botanical ingredients like wild-Ginseng and Dang Gui (angelica), as well as more
exotic Zoological substances such as Deer’s antler, Gecko Lizard, and Tortoise shell. In addition to their
body strengthening Chi invigorating abilities, Chi tonics are also credited with stimulating primordial
(sexual) energy.
Unlike Injury Management Formulas that are taken for a short period of time (over the course of an
injury) and discontinued once the injury has healed, Chi tonics were considered an extension of the
Karateka/Kung Fu practitioner’s basic nutrition that is taken on a daily basis. The preferred methods for
preparing and consuming the herbal elixirs is --
in the form of medicinal wine — where the herbs are cured /aged in rice wine and drunk
in tea form — where the herbs are brewed in hot water and drunk
as ingredients added and cooked in soups or stews — which were eaten the same way that one
consumes food.
A popular prescription that is representative of this type of formula is the legendary Shaolin
prescription known as Tiger Fighting Elixir.
A traditional formula, Shaolin Tiger Fighting Elixir was invented by Shaolin monks who used it
during advanced martial arts training when great strength and flexibility were required. It was a favorite of
the fighting-abbots when the strength of the arms and legs was a major factor. It was believed to be
especially useful in areas of training requiring extensive stance work, such as Chi Sao (sticking hands)
extended horse-stance, or any of the various forms of standing meditation.
The Imperial nature of the prescription is demonstrated by the inclusion of precious ingredients like
Deer’s horn and wild-Ginseng, which are among the most powerful ingredients in all of Chinese Herbology
for increasing the Yang Chi.
The legendary formula’s ability to increase strength and endurance is likely the reason that it is also
frequently mentioned in connection with practices such as holding heavy jars, practicing with weighted
weapons and Iron Mountain Chi Kung Training.
Keeping in mind that the Shaolin Tiger Fighting Elixir is only one of many variations on this type of
formula (Chi tonics)… Another compelling argument for the use of these highly coveted prescriptions is
illustrated in the life-story of the legendary General Yang Sen, Director of Taiwan’s Sports Federation and
Mountain Climbing Association, who lived to the age of 98 and is renowned for his annual 12000 foot climb
to the peak of Jade Mountain, a practice that he continued up until the year of his death.
The celebrated General attributed his reputation as a fierce-fighter as well as his well publicized life-
long sexual capabilities to his adherence to Taoist principles, and more significantly to a daily regimen that
included Kung Fu training and the regular use of Chinese herbal Chi tonics
For those who may be interested, the following is a complete list of the ingredients in the legendary Tiger
Fighting Elixir as well as an analysis of how the herbs function.

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SHAOLIN TIGER FIGHTING ELIXIR

Preparation
Make a medicinal wine by adding the herbs to one half gallon of rice wine or vodka.
Age
Ninety days or longer, 365 days is preferred.
Dosage
Take one tablespoon to 1 Chinese teacup (1 shot-glass full) daily, this can be diluted with water or drunk straight-up.
Functions
Increases the vital energy (chi), in addition to strengthening the sinews (ligaments and tendons) muscles and joints.
Ingredients
Grams Chinese Herb Botanical Name Common Name
12 Ba Ji Tian Morindae Radix Morinda
12 Du Zhong Eucommiae Cortex Eucommia
12 Fu Ling Poriae Hoelen
3 Lu Rong Cervi Cornu Parvum Deer Horn
12 Mai Men Dong Ophiopogonis Tuber Ophiopogon
12 Mu Gua Chaenomelis Fructus Chinese Quince
6 Mu Xiang Saussureae Radix Costus Root
12 Niu Xi Achyranthis Radix Achyranthes
3 Ren Shen Ginseng Radix Ginseng Root
12 Rou Cong Rong Cistanchis Herba Broomrape
12 Sha Yuan Zi Astragali Semen Flattened Milkvetch Seed
12 She Chuang Zi Cnidii Monnieri Fructus Cnidium Fruit
12 Suan Zao Ren Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Jujube Seed
12 Sha Ren Amoni Semen Cardamon
12 Tian Men Dong Asparagi Radix Shiny Asparagus
6 Yuan Chih Polygalae Radix Polygala
Analysis
Ren Shen and Lu Rong powerfully tonify Yang Chi while strengthening the entire body. The Chi is further fortified and the
Kidneys nourished by the inclusion of Rou Cong Rong, She Chuang Zi, and Ba Ji Tian. Du Zhong, Niu Xi, and Mu Gua
unblock the meridians allowing more efficient flow of Chi to strengthen the lower extremities (sinews and bones). Yuan Chih
and Suan Zao Ren calm the spirit and nourish the Heart. Tian Men Dong, and Sha Yuan Zi, benefits the Liver and Kidneys,
and Suo Sha, Fu Ling, Mu Xiang, and Mai Men Dong promote digestion and assimilation of the other herbs in the formula.

__________________________[______________________________
In our on-going discussion about the enduring practice of using herbs in martial arts training, future
articles will feature information about formulas used by martial artists for treating potentially mortal wounds,
as well as the minor bumps and bruises that are an unavoidable consequence of the rigorous daily training
required to perfect our art. Subsequent discussions will also include information about formulas that increase
flexibility, iron palm and hand conditioning liniments, and internal formulas that toughen the skin, harden the
bones and promote Chi circulation in the upper extremities.
In the meantime, anyone wishing to discuss this article, the Tiger Fighting Elixir or Chi Tonics in
general, or having questions should feel free to contact me via email.

Chien,

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Thomas
Thomas Richard Joiner, Renshi
Chinese Goju Martial Arts
12.15.2010
©

THOMAS RICHARD JOINER, author of the Warrior as Healer, Blending Botany and Budo, and Chinese Herbal
Medicine Made Easy, is a Renshi, fourth-degree black belt and certified instructor in Chinese Goju Martial
Arts and Tien Tao Chi Kung, as well as a graduate of the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine New York
City. He has conducted advanced study in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture at the Academy of
Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland, CA and the Institute of Chinese Herbology in Berkeley,
CA. Thomas’s martial arts education includes training in Wing Chun Gung Fu with Sifu Ralph Rodriquez,
Sifu Lee Moy Shan and the late Grandmaster Moy Yat. In addition he has studied Taoist Esoteric Yoga
Micro-cosmic orbit meditation, Iron shirt Chi Kung and Seminal Ovarian Kung Fu with Mantak Chia, as
well as training in Chinese Goju Martial Arts under Grandmaster/Shidoshi Ron Van Clief.
Sensei Joiner’s books provide extensive insights into the centuries-old practice of incorporating herbs
into your martial arts training as well as making available prescriptions for many of the legendary and most
highly regarded formulas used in Asian Martial Arts.
Sensei Joiner has been a practicing Chinese Herbalist for nearly two decades, and is the founder of an
online mail order company TREASURES FROM THE SEA OF CHI which specializes in traditional Chinese herbal
formulas used in martial arts training. If you would like more information on ancient herbal practices used in
the martial arts, Sensei Joiner can be reached at his company email: info@seaofchi.com.

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