learning iron palm

7/27/2019 Learning Iron Palm

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Learning Iron Palm takes dedication and a teacher with the know how todevelop seriously tough hands. Improper training can damage the bones,ligaments, and cartilage of the hands. It doesn't make sense to damage yourhands in the conditioning process. You need your hands in good shape for

your job and when you get older you want to maintain the dexterity andflexibility of your fingers. Even Shaolin monks didn't turn their hands intostiff, unbending clubs from their training. They toughened them to thepoint where they could rip bark off of trees yet maintained the flexibility sothat they could practice other cultural arts such as calligraphy.

Secrets of Iron PalmThere are many different exercises to condition and toughen your hands

based on the system of martial arts you are learning. But no matter whatthe method, preventing any permanent damage to your hands or fingers isof utmost importance. The first secret to preventing damage involves

carefully using Chinese herbs to help repair any damage to the hands andprevent the injuries from developing into more serious problems in thefuture.

Countless herbal formulas have been developed over time by differentmasters or their physicians for use in the martial arts. And just as martialartists like to argue about which style is superior to another the same is trueof Iron Palm formulas. There's always someone who claims that they have"the best formula" or "a long lost secret formula" handed down overhundreds of years. These formulas usually are said to have miraculous

properties. While there is probably some element of truth to this type ofclaim, once you start examining different formulas you realize that almostall Iron Palm formulas center around certain herbs that have commonhealing properties.

The HerbsThe primary herbs used come from three different herb groups: The Anti-rheumatic herbs, Herbs that Stop Bleeding, and Blood Circulating Herbs.

All these herbs have been studied for thousands of years by Chineseherbalists. Their properties and indications have been thoroughlydocumented and the dosages well-established.

The Anti-Rheumatic herbs are known to release painful blockages orobstructions from the muscles, sinews, joints, and bones and activate theacupuncture meridians. From the viewpoint of modern medicine, theseherbs have pain relieving (analgesic), antiinflammatory, and circulation-promoting activities. Examples of herbs in this category are Angelicapubescens (Chinese: Du huo); Gentianae Macrophyllae (Chinese: Qin Jiao);


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and Clemetidis Chinensis (Chinese: Wei ling xian). The second importantgroup of herbs are the Herbs that Stop Bleeding. Probably the single mostimportant herb in this group is Pseudoginseng, which is known in Chineseas San Qi or Tian Qi. This herb not only stops bleeding but reduces swellingand alleviates pain. It is the herb of choice for traumatic injuries and wouldalmost always be one of the core herbs of an Iron Palm formula. Anotherherb that may be used is Cattail pollen (Botanical name: Pollen Typhae;Chinese: Pu huang). This herb stops bleeding and is also used for traumaticinjuries. It also promotes the circulation of blood. The third group of herbsused are Herbs that Invigorate the Blood. The key herbs used in this groupare frankincense (Botanical name: Olibanum; Chinese: Ru xiang); Myrrha(Chinese: Mo yao); and Dragon's Blood (Botanical Name: SanguisDraconis; Chinese: Xue jie). These three herbs often form the heart of theIron Hand formula and are crucial ingredients.

The Iron Hand formula is usually made of some combination of these mainherbs along with varying amounts of other herbs with similar propertiesthat may or may not be crucial. Once the herbs are measured out and mixedthey are soaked in wine for a minimum of three months but preferablylonger. Alcohol acts as a solvent for the medicinal components of the herbs.It also prevents spoiling. Chinese "wine" by the way, is usually a very highproof alcohol. Wines as we know them are a much lower proof alcohol. Thesoaking herbs are frequently shaken or agitated several times a week. Theresultant formula is commonly known as "Dit da jow" or "hit wine."

More SecretsHow the herbs are used is very important. When training, it is important toapply the Dit da jow liberally and rub it vigorously into yours hands - both

before and after practice so that the medicinal components of the formulapenetrate the skin. The main purpose for using a Dit da jow is to increasethe circulation of blood to prevent bruising and stop bleeding. When youare training in Iron Palm you are breaking down the structure of the hand alittle at a time and allowing it to rebuild stronger. The bones thicken,muscles get tougher and calluses are developed. The Dit da jow allows the

body to speed up the healing process of your sore hands. If you condition

your hands without using a Dit da jow you risk future problems when youare much older because the stagnated blood or damaged tissues are notallowed to heal properly.

Dit da jows aren't only for Iron Palm. Use them whenever you have bruisesstrains or sprains. You'll find that you will heal much faster than usual. Youcan make your own Dit da jow if you have a recipe and you don't mindtaking the time for it to soak. A good mail order source for bulk Chinese


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herbs isEast Earth Trade Winds (1-800-258-6878 orwww.eastearthtrade.com). Theyhave a large selection of Chinese herbs in stock and can special orderalmost anything they don't have for you. They also have some excellentcommercially made Dit da jow's that work really well. A highlyrecommended product is Iron Hand Liniment which is one of the bestcommercially available products. Alternate choices that work well includeZheng Gu Shui, or Five Photo's Brand First Aid Antiseptic (Dit da jow).Both of these products are helpful.

Hand ConditioningHere are some basic conditioning exercises that you will find useful totoughen your hands. Remember to use the Dit da jow before and afterconditioning your hands. The most fundamental exercise for tougheningthe knuckles, fingers and strengthening the wrists is knuckle and fingertippushups. This exercise is common to virtually every martial art and should

be done on a hard floor - either wood or concrete. If you are on carpet bringsome bricks or pieces of wood to place your hands on. It may feel better todo this exercise on carpet or a softer material but you are wasting your timeand will get inferior results. Do your pushups in sets of 10, 15 or 20.

Alternate between knuckles and fingers tips. When you are done alwaysstretch your fingers and rapidly grab at the air to stretch out your hands.The second exercise is to slap your hand on wood but you have to work your

way up to doing this. Start by using a layer of two telephone books over awooden board. If you have a yard and can find yourself a six foot section oftelephone pole and then bury it in your yard so that about three feet of itprotrudes above the ground. You can set your phone books on this. Thenstart slapping your hand, easy at first, on the phone books. Alternateslapping the palm and the back of your hand. Do this for about five minutesevery day. Don't try to hurry the process and don't hurt yourself. The idea isto work gradually,over a period of months, so that the hand toughens up.

You'll also be building thicker bones by doing this. As you progress andyour hand gets tougher gradually decrease the padding until you get to thepoint where you are using several layers of cardboard as a pad. Eventually

you'll work your way down to one layer of cardboard and then at the final

stage you'll be slapping your hand on the wood.The last exercise is with a partner. It's an easy exercise but will separatethose who take this training seriously from those who don't. Have yourpartner hold your feet and walk you on your fists, that is, your knuckles -

just like the wheelbarrow exercise. A smooth concrete floor, like in a garage,is a good place to start. As you get tougher progress to a coarser concrete,such as a driveway or sidewalk. This exercise is a little tortuous at first but it
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will, along with the other exercises, toughen your hands. Do it two to threetimes a week. More techniques used in Iron Palm can be learned from anexperienced teacher. However, if you take the information outlined here

you will find your knuckles and hands becoming noticeably tougher in a fewmonths.

A last bit of advice: Having tough hands is only small part of a martialartists training. Iron Palms by themselves won't win a fight. You must havethe delivery system (i.e., technique and skill) that takes them to their target.So make sure your training is well rounded and work on all your skills.

Postscript: If you are seriously interested in Iron Palm I recommend youtry these products:

1).Iron Hand Liniment

2).Dit Da Jow Herb Mixture

Author: Michel Czehatowski, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist andpractitioner of Chinese herbal medicine. He has a life long interest inmartial arts and Chinese culture. He has trained in Pai Lum Kung Fu, YangStyle Tai Chi Chuan, and Modern Arnis.

Iron Hand Liniment is excellent for treating external injuries such asbruises, sprains, pulls, and twists. Use it to promote the healing of injuries,such as bruising, muscle soreness, or joint injuries, sustained in any highintensity sport activity. Martial artists can use it for Iron Hand conditioningor after sparring to toughen skin and strengthen tendons, ligaments, and

bone but it can be used for any sport or work injury. Also good for chronicinjuries like knee and back pain.

Contains: Isopropyl Alcohol, Water, Carthamus, Lycopodium,Aucklandiae, Paeonia, Ginseng, Lignum sappan, Rheum, Ligusticum,Notoginseng, Myrrha, Boswellia, Daemonorops draco, Lycopus lucidus,

Eugenia caryophyllata and other herbs for fragrance

Dit Da Jow Herb Mixture is based on a traditional martial art formula

for treating external injuries. This mixture provides you with a complete

premixed formula to make your own Dit Da Jow.

To make your own authentic Dit Da Jow you'll need one gallon of high
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proof alcohol or vodka (you must purchase alcohol yourself). The herbs

then must be soaked in alcohol a minimum of three months (but the longer

you soak them the better). We suggest starting difference batches so you

always have some to use.

After it it ready, use it topically for any external injury, bruise, sprain,strain, or Iron Palm training. Use of this formula will speed up the healing

process and reduce injury recovery time.

Contains: Gummi Olibanum Myrrh, angelica Pubescens, Sanguis

Draconis, Ligustici Wallichi, Carthami, Persicae, Angelica sinensis, Pollen

Typhae, Psuedoginseng.

Caution: For External Use Only. Do not apply to broken skin

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