If you grew up with your Chinese grandparents, you’re likely familiar with Zheng Gu Shui. Also known as “Die Da Jiu” (跌打酒), it’s the go-to liniment for easing pain from bruises and sprains—common occurrences during childhood.
Your overall wellness as an adult is often linked to an active lifestyle, but maintaining that activity as you age can bring challenges such as muscle fatigue and aches. With active ingredients like camphor and menthol, which are known to relieve pain and discomfort, it’s no surprise that Zheng Gu Shui is a popular choice for both young and older adults looking to support a healthier lifestyle.
As parents, it’s our responsibility not only to provide for our children's needs but also to pass down knowledge that will benefit them as they grow. That's why Zheng Gui Shui has been trusted for generations as a powerful, all-natural herbal liniment, known for its soothing properties.
For centuries, Zheng Gu Shui has been used as a topical herbal liniment to relieve various bone, muscle, and joint issues. Its origins trace back to ancient China, specifically the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), when Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners sought effective remedies for injuries sustained by soldiers and laborers.
Deeply rooted in TCM, Zheng Gu Shui was further refined in the early 1950s exclusively in Guangxi, China, by combining traditional herbal extracts with modern techniques. This fusion reinforced tradition with technology to ensure future generations will have access to soothing medicines for sprains, strains and other minor injuries related to physical activity and trauma.
Zheng Gu Shui traditional herbal ingredients have other usages such as circulation for blood, fluids and energy to help with natural healing. These key ingredients include San-Qi Ginseng Root (田七) and Cinnamon Bark (肉桂).
Zheng Gu Shui is applied topically to the affected area, and its warming effect or counterirritant properties helps qi (氣) and blood stagnation. A key active ingredient, camphor (樟木) increases circulation which reduces pain and swelling caused by irritation.
Zheng Gu Shui traditional herbal ingredients have other usages such as Atractylodes macrocephala Root (白朮) and Polygonum cuspidatum Root (胡章) for free radical scavenging and antioxidant joint health benefits to support the natural healing process.
Normal muscle fatigue will develop after exercise and Zheng Gu Shui's active ingredient menthol (薄荷) aids recovery by helping the affected area skin to feel cool and then warm.
In addition to menthol's aromatic relaxing properties other liniment included herbal ingredients have known traditional uses such as Shiny-leaved Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum nitidum), Zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria) and Paniculate Swallowwort (Pycnostelma paniculatum) are know to help with soothing and calming daily stresses
Apply Zheng Gu Shui to the affected area using a cotton ball or directly with the spray nozzle. For longer lasting application, a cotton ball can be soaked in the liniment applied to area.
Gently rub it into the skin using a circular motion. For improved results, use Zheng Gu Shui with heat. You can apply a warm compress or hot water bottle wrapped in cloth to the area after applying the liniment.
Apply Zheng Gu Shui up to four (4) times a day as desired. It can be used as a pre-workout treatment before activities that aggravate personal pain, during the challenging activity, or part of the recovery routine.
Authentic Zheng Gu Shui External Analgesic is available in various convenient sizes and applicator configurations (e.g., liquid, spray, brush) and can be found throughout the U.S. both online and local retailers.
