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Let's return to Kickboxer. The training is intense and it is HOT in the
middle of the jungle. Our hero could become dangerously
overheated from time to time. Chrysanthemum Flower tea, drunk
hot or cold, would have cooled him. (Chinese medicine classifies it
as an herbal refrigerant). Because it is so cooling, most people
reserve it for the hottest times of the year. Just don't drink it if you
are cold! A small handful of the flowers makes 1 quart of tea. Also,
many restaurants serve Chrysanthemum Flower tea at dim sum -
you will need to ask for it.
Eating watermelon or drinking watermelon juice also will cool you.
To be effective, you would need to eat or drink several cups of
watermelon at one sitting. Most salads, eaten without oil, are mildly
cooling.
By Susan Kramer Page 14
HERBAL TRAINING AIDS
For Martial Arts
Aches and Pains.
We don't need to talk about action heros to understand overuse,
soreness and general aches and pains. As martial artists, we've all
experienced them!
Let's say you've pushed yourself past your (perceived) limits and
although you still are walking today, you believe you will stiffen
considerably. What can you do?
Take a long contrast shower. Stand in a COLD shower as long as
you can stand it. Then stand in a very warm (don't burn yourself!)
shower until you have relaxed. Repeat this cycle at least 2 more
times.
Soak in a very warm bath with a 1-2 pounds of Epson salts. (You
may need to stir with your hand or a brush to dissolve them). The
addition of 10 drops (total) of essential oils such as Eucalyptus,
Rosemary, Camphor or Peppermint mixed into a capful of shampoo
or liquid soap (this disperses the oils in the water) will be very
pleasant and will aid in dispersing toxins that contribute to
soreness.
Drink A LOT of water. Drink as much as you can, and then drink at
least 8-12 glasses per hour. Beer is NOT a substitute for water!
Comfrey and Tienchi Ginseng will greatly diminish stiffness and
soreness. Take 1 dropper of the combined tinctures, 3x per day
following extreme exertion and while symptoms persist.
Liniments and salves, applied directly to the skin, assist in relieving
soreness. Tiger balm works for highly localized soreness. Many
liniments containing Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Camphor or
By Susan Kramer Page 15
HERBAL TRAINING AIDS
For Martial Arts
Peppermint will help. St. John's Wort, applied externally, relieves
spasms.
By Susan Kramer Page 16
HERBAL TRAINING AIDS
For Martial Arts
Comfrey: Is It Safe?
The use of Comfrey has been criticized by the FDA and by several
authors. No herbalist of whom I am aware has ever cautioned
against the use of comfrey for the purposes listed above. Indeed,
the vast majority of herbal texts (written by herbalists and not by
journalists or others) extoll the many virtues of comfrey! Most
herbalists will go on record (and do!) saying that comfrey is a very
safe herb. In my practice, I have found remarkable results in very
short periods of time and I have never seen any side effects.
The criticism, is that some comfrey root may contain a particular
chemical compound (pyrilizidine alkaloids, or PAs) which has been
associated with liver disease. Literally millions of people worldwide
have widely used comfrey for a variety of common ailments, with no
ill effects. A possible explanation is that plants contain a complex
biochemistry which allow for small amounts of substances which
otherwise would be toxic, and that other substances in the plant
effectively neutralize such potential toxins. Examples would be
Basil, Black Pepper and Nutmeg, all of which contain the chemical
safrole. Safrole will induce cancer in both lab animals and humans.
Basil, black pepper and nutmeg do not.
Contrast the possible (an unlikely!) ill effects of comfrey with its
demonstrable benefits. Contrast the possible ill effects of comfrey
with the KNOWN and major side effects of tobacco! Compare it
with the known and major side effects of MANY chemical
pharmaceuticals.
So, do you want to take comfrey to aid healing? I recommend that
you decide for yourself. Personally, I don't use it as a beverage, but
I certainly will take it to accelerate healing. An herb that stops
hemorrhaging? An herb that heals bone tissue? Absolutely! An
By Susan Kramer Page 17
HERBAL TRAINING AIDS
For Martial Arts
herb that can eliminate soreness? (But, being cautious, I would
avoid its internal use by pregnant or nursing mothers and by
infants.)
By Susan Kramer Page 18
HERBAL TRAINING AIDS
For Martial Arts
Make Your Own Comfrey Salve.
8 ounces of vegetable oil (I prefer grapeseed oil or olive oil)
2 ounces of dried cut up comfrey root or 4 ounces fresh cut up root
- 1 ounce of beeswax, grated or minced
(Optional: 15-20 drops (total) of essential oils: tea tree, rosemary,
lavender and lemon)
to 2 ounce jars with tops.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Combine oil and comfrey and heat
for 2-4 hours. Strain out the herb and reserve the oil. Dissolve the
beeswax in the oil. As the oil cools, it will harden. Stir in the
essential oils before the salve hardens. Pour into jars. Allow to sit
for at least 30 minutes, until hard. Label the jars.
(Store in a cool place, as this salve has no preservatives.)
By Susan Kramer Page 19
HERBAL TRAINING AIDS
For Martial Arts
Make Your Own Tinctures.
5 ounces of 100 proof vodka
1 ounce of cut up or ground dried herb or 2-1/2 ounces of cut up
fresh herb
Combine the vodka and herb in a wide mouth jar, cover, and shake
well. (If the vodka does not cover the herb with at least a 1/4 inch to
spare, then add more vodka). Label the jar! Let sit for at least 2 to 6
weeks, shaking daily. Strain off the herb and reserve the liquid. You
now have made a tincture! Label and use as directed!
For most herbs, and specifically for comfrey, Tienchi ginseng, or St.
John's Wort, a standard dose (taken 3x daily) is one dropperful =
20 drops = 1/4 teaspoon. If you were taking a combination of
comfrey, Tienchi ginseng, St. John's Wort and burdock root
tinctures, you would take 1 teaspoon of the combined tinctures. If
you were taking 8 different herbs, you typically would take 1
teaspoon of the combined herbs.
By Susan Kramer Page 20
HERBAL TRAINING AIDS
For Martial Arts
Where Do I Find What I Need?
Herbs: Grow your own! Herb stores. (Chinese herbs might only be
available in Chinese herb shops) From the author.
Oil: Supermarket. Natural Food Stores. From the author.
Vodka: Liquor Store or food store (some states).
Essential Oils: Natural Food Stores. Aromatherapy shops. From the
author.
Dit Dat Jao: Your instructor. Herbalists. The Products Page!
Pain Liniments: Your instructor. Herbalists. The Products Page
Jars: Supermarkets. Container stores. Yard Sales. Hardware
Stores.
Herb Books: Natural Food Stores. Large book stores. Some
libraries. Herb shops. www. amazon.com. From the author.
About the Author.
Susan W. Kramer, Ph.D., Esq., Herbalist, began working with
therapeutic herbs when she was seven years old and now works
full-time in Atlanta as an herbalist and herbal educator. An active
martial artist, she is the founder and President of EarthWays Herbal
ProductsTM, a company which manufactures a premium line of all-
natural topical blends, including AcheAwayTM, BruiseAwayTM and
HealAll. She sees clients in her herbal practice and is an herbal
educator.
By Susan Kramer Page 21
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