“Which one should I buy?” I hear that question more than any other about our herbal massage liquids, usually from someone looking at three very similar bottles. The honest answer is that it depends on what your week of training looks like. So rather than repeat the product descriptions, this article works through the situations students actually find themselves in and suggests the bottle that fits each one.
The one-line version
Our everyday Dit Da Jow is the all-round bottle for use around class. The Iron Palm jow is the one our students use around deliberate hand and forearm conditioning. The 50/50 blend is half of each. Everything below is really just that idea applied to real training.
Situation 1: you’ve just started Wing Chun
In your first months, most of your contact comes from partner drills. You aren’t doing deliberate conditioning yet, so there’s no need for the Iron Palm formula.
Suggestion: standard Dit Da Jow.
Situation 2: you’re spending more time on the wall bag and dummy
Once you’re further along, you may start regular wall bag sessions and time on the wooden dummy. That’s deliberate, repetitive contact for the hands and forearms, built up gradually over months.
Suggestion: Iron Palm jow, used around those sessions, or the 50/50 if you want one bottle for class and conditioning days.
Situation 3: you’re following a structured Iron Palm programme
This is the training the Iron Palm formula is made to go alongside. If you’re thinking about starting this kind of training, please read my beginner’s guide to Iron Palm first, and talk to an instructor before you begin.
Suggestion: Iron Palm jow.
Situation 4: you box, kickbox or train Muay Thai
Shins, knuckles and thighs take the punishment in these sports, often from pad work and partner drills in the same week.
Suggestion: standard Dit Da Jow for everyday use. If you also do shin or knuckle conditioning, the 50/50 saves carrying two bottles. There’s a short article on Dit Da Jow beyond Wing Chun if that’s you.
Situation 5: you want one bottle and no decisions
Suggestion: the 50/50 blend. It’s an equal mix of the other two, and it’s where most of our own students begin.
Situation 6: you’re buying it as a present
If you don’t know exactly how the person trains, the same logic applies: the blend is the safest choice because it isn’t tied to one type of training.
A quick decision table
| Your training | Our suggestion |
|---|---|
| Mostly partner drills and general classes | Dit Da Jow |
| Regular deliberate hand or shin conditioning | Iron Palm jow |
| A mix of both | 50/50 blend |
| Not sure, or buying for someone else | 50/50 blend |
Is it worth owning two?
Some students keep the standard jow at home and the Iron Palm formula in the kit bag for conditioning days. Others never bother and use the blend for everything. Either way works.
What doesn’t change between them
All three share the same traditional roots and the same rules: they’re for external use only, they are not medicines, and if you have an injury, ongoing pain or a medical condition you should see your GP or pharmacist. For the practical side, including patch testing, how much to use and what to avoid, see how to apply Dit Da Jow. If you’re curious about where the recipe comes from, our traditional herbal massage liquids page tells that story.
Still undecided?
If you train with us, grab me after class and tell me what your sessions involve; it takes thirty seconds to point you to the right one. If you train elsewhere, look at the table above and think honestly about how you train.
Sifu Alan Bagley, Wing Chun Halesowen