Zheng Gu Shui is my liniment of choice because it has a broad range of clinical applications and can be used for many first aid situations. Energetically, on a continuum of cold to hot, Zheng Gu Shui is energetically the hottest of the Chinese liniments. By virtue of this yang function, it has the deepest penetrating power and is able to penetrate through the skin, muscle and channel layer all the way to the bone. When it reaches the bone it promotes the healing of fractures by stimulating osteoblast production. It can disperse blood and fluid stagnation, invigorate qi and blood, stop pain, and relax tendons and muscles. It is composed of herbs that move the blood and open to the exterior.

As a result of these properties, Zheng Gu Shui can treat bone spurs, cases of blood stasis such as bruises, and is excellent for musculoskeletal pain of the neck, back, ankles, elbows, knees, and any arthritic condition not characterized by heat or inflammation.

With a cotton ball, generously apply Zheng Gu Shui to the affected area. Do not use on conditions characterized by heat manifestations such as fever, swellings hot to the touch, or areas that are red or inflamed. Keep away from mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth, and genital regions. Do not warm the liniment up. Do not cover the liniment that has been applied to the skin with gauze or Band-Aids (sticking plasters) as the captured heat can cause a serious burn. Do not use with massage or tuina, as the heat of the liniment and the heat of friction will also cause irritation. Do not apply to open wounds. Zheng Gu Shui will stain clothes.

Woodlock Oil is another Chinese liniment that is very similar to Regal Oil. It is an amber-colored liniment, with more body than the clear Regal Oil, and is a warm liniment energetically.

While Regal Oil is known as an arthritis liniment, clinically, patients with osteoarthritis prefer Woodlock Oil because of its warm versus cooling nature, and those with rheumatoid arthritis prefer Regal Oil. Woodlock Oil is also a liniment for external use only. Do not use with tuina or massage because its warmth combined with the friction can cause irritation. Avoid contact with mucous membranes. Do not apply to wounds or damaged skin. Bandage lightly. Do not use on children as it may cause burns.

Regal oil is a clear, colorless, cool liquid. It is good for muscular aches and rheumatoid arthritis. It also for external use only. Avoid contact with mucous membranes.

White Flower Oil is a clear, colorless, cool liniment. It is one of the most common and wellknown Chinese liniments because of its broad range of uses. It comes in different size bottles that look like little perfume bottles.

Energetically White Flower Oil is cooling; hence it relieves itching, stops swelling and inflammation. It is good for headaches, insect bites, rheumatoid arthritis, and neuralgia. It is mostly used externally by applying a few drops to the affected area, for instance, a few dabs to the temples or the occipital area for headache.

Internally it can be used prudently for the initial stage of a wind invasion. Put a few drops in an 8 oz (235 ml) glass of water and drink. This can expel the pathogen, reduce swelling and inflammation of the glands, and relieve a sore throat. Avoid contact with mucous membranes.

Po Sum On is an energetically warm liquid as designated by its deep brown color. Like other warm liniments it invigorates the blood and dispels cold. It is good for wind-cold aches and blood stagnation. Mostly it is applied topically such as on the chest when there is a chest cold. A small dab can be put on a cotton swab and applied locally to the teeth and gums temporarily for the pain of a toothache. Avoid eyes and open wounds. Apply liberally and frequently. This liniment, like Zheng Gu Shui, is also flammable.

Wan Hua is a warm brown liquid also used for blood stagnation. As such, it relieves pain, transforms stagnation, and relaxes sinews and tendons. It is excellent for burns, trauma, and bleeding. As the Chinese instructions so aptly put it, it is good for “stricken, fallen, shocken and twisten conditionsandnot for the pregnants.” Even though it is a liquid, it is used on a burn or a cut. Apply several times per day.

Yunnan Pai Yao is a very powerful powder that primarily has an effect on the blood. Its main ingredient of raw pseudo ginseng, which disperses stagnant blood, stops bleeding, invigorates the blood, and stops pain. It is used for traumatic bleeding such as that induced by trauma, cuts, or other wounds. It can be applied to hot skin infections, skin ulcerations, and insect bites. Internally with proper differentiation it can be taken in its capsulated form for ulcers, sore throat, and menstrual cramps. For serious life-threatening wounds with collapse of yang administer the little red pill found at the top of the bottle, which has the function of restoring the yang.

Various plasters for bruises have an analgesic function that promotes the circulation of blood, stimulates healing, stops pain, and is cooling. They are used for bruises, fractures, sprains, neuralgia, arthritis, rheumatism, muscle tenderness, muscle strain, and musculoskeletal pain due to wind.

Apply to clean, dry, hair-free skin and retain for a few days. Do not apply to the lower abdomen or low back during pregnancy. Do not use on children under the age of 2. Avoid contact with the eyes. Do not apply to wounds or broken skin and do not affix too tightly. The plaster can get wet in a bath or shower.

Spray moxa is a new form of moxa delivery that comes in a non-aerosol spray. It penetrates through the skin and muscle to the channel level. Like other forms of moxa, it moves qi and blood and tonifies the yang. It is used for joint pain, muscle strain, swellings, and fractures.

Ching Wan Hung is a Chinese ointment that is known as the burn ointment. It promotes circulation of qi and blood, cools heat, stops pain immediately, promotes tissue growth, reduces swelling and blistering, prevents infection, deputrifies and acts as a bactericide. It can be used for skin diseases, bedsores, hemorrhoids, sunburn, heat rash, large area deep burns and scalds caused by boiling water, oil, molten steel, fire, steam, or radioactive or chemical substances. It is very useful for the burns received by patients undergoing radiation treatment. Re-apply daily and cover the dressing with a bandage.

Note: Most of these products will stain clothes. The stain can be removed with rubbing alcohol or better yet have the patient wear old clothing when using the liniments. With all products, avoid the eyes and mucous membranes. Except where indicated avoid open wounds. Discontinue if allergic skin reactions or irritation develops. Some of these products can be taken internally. See discussion above or consult standard herbal texts on how to use in this manner. Keep these and all drugs out of the reach of children. In case of accidental ingestion seek professional assistance or contact a poison control center immediately.