Ancient Martial Formulas for Health and Healing: Authentic Rare External Formulas

Just wanted to say that this is a GREAT find for anyone who wants to make there own jow. Took a few recipes to a TCM doctor/herbalist in my area and filled out like 4 of these jows. Thanks again this is a wonderful find for anyone who wants to have faster results in any martial arts or training program.

I struggled between giving this book a 2 or 3 star rating. Ultimately, I decided on 2 for the following reasons. First, I think that this book is very overpriced for what it provides in terms of amount and depth of information, and accuracy (more later). While there are a number of formulas that do not seem to be available elsewhere in the public or "near-public" domain, many of the others (including some not listed under the "public domain" chapter) are available. If the exact formula is not available, then very similar formulas with similar names are. In terms of accuracy, there are a number of misspellings, poor editing (for example, one herb name is split in half and each half is listed on a separate line with a separate amount listed for each). It appears that there is some inconsistency with the language used for the herb names (for example, some Mandarin, some Cantonese even within the same formula).While the editing problems are primarily annoying, I am concerned that the lack of attention to detail might be carried over into the formulas themselves. For a seasoned practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine who has a solid familiarity with and understanding of Herbal Medicine, this may not be problematic, for someone without that background who is just interested in getting formulas that will allow her/him to make their own jows, it could be problematic. Also, having some of the formulas only in Chinese does not allow the reader/user to know what herbs are going into the formula. Again, this can be dangerous and also does not allow for that person to learn more about that specific formula and the herbs that go into it.It is very generous of the authors to compile and make available this compendium of formulas and I think that this book is a great start. However, I think that it could be made better by more careful editing and consistency across formulas. I know that it is beyond the scope of this book to go into detail about the herbs themselves, but maybe a little more information about each formula could be provided; such as why one iron palm formula over another. Another possible revision, might be the grouping of the formulas by purpose, nature (herbs used), and function. Even without more details about the formulas, this could allow the reader to have a more systematic starting point from which to gather more information and understanding about this important area of Chinese Medicine and Martial Arts.

This book is badley laid out and has many untranslated hand written chinese recipes!There is little or no referencing of ingredients. either the pin-yin is incorectly written or spurious and has no latin binomials or plant register clasification.As a personel essay of anecdotal information it is of some value but to other practitioners it holds little worth. Also the writer seems to be of the opinion that 'Iron Hand' techniques do not work against soft or yeilding targets! This is wrong as the 'iron' part of the name refers not to the physical condition of the striking hand but to the energy wave that it generates when used corectly. These powerful strikes can be used against pressure point targets to knock out an aponent or to break bones or even kill if this is the only of preserving inocent life. This is one of the hidden secret techniques used in Okinawan Te.

The review by Dr. S is spot on. The book is filled with editing errors. There are many formula that are given in Chinese characters only. Without the Pinyin or Scientific name for the substance, the Western reader will have no chance to use them. Adding insult, many of those formula appear to be 3rd, 4th or 5th generation photocopy so if one were to attempt to match the Hansi characters to a Chinese dictionary, it would be difficult if not impossible. Incorrect Pinyin names, Pinyin names split across lines making you think they are two herbs rather than one. Having said all the negative, I do applaud the authors for the effort, there isn't anything out there in printed or electronic form that I have found that compares, it is just too bad all the errors and incomprehensible Hansi mar the effort.

I don't understand the negativity. This is a great resource for practioners made by people who actually do this stuff, teach this stuff and have tested these formulas. The point of sharing this is to help dispel the myths and secrecy around these formulas. Everyone is different and so no one formula is best for everyone. The handwritten formulas were easily read by my TCM herb doctor. Some of the objections are silly and others sound like sour grapes.

Rodney Morgan is the real deal. He has compiled legitimate recipes that are used by traditional Chinese martial artists around the world. Recently I attended a seminar he taught and each of us had the opportunity the try a few of the jow formulas in the book. If you need proof of their effectiveness, watch Rodney break three unspaced patio block with his hands while receiving no injuries.As a 43 practitioner of traditional Chinese and Japanese martial arts, I highly recommend this book!

Don't waste your money on this book or it's Volume 2. From what I can tell there is very little original material worth paying for. The Authors have simply compiled formulas that you can get for free on the web. They do not add any of their own personal insight or further information or knowledge on the formulas other than writing them down.Some of the formulas were not even translated into English so without a translation they are useless. What a joke. The charge alot of money for the book and don't even go to the effort of having the formulas translated for their English readers. What a waste of money.

At first sticker shock made me think twice about purchasing. With a recommendation from a friend, I did buy them. Jow making is a hobby of mine, and I just struck gold! With the powerful secrets contained within these pages, I'm surprised the authors haven't showed up missing. These formulas revealed, I'm sure someone is upset, for they are family and school secrets.

The book has given me a little more insight into the mechanics of TCM Chinese medicine

The book is exactly what it says it is. A nice book with a wide range of healing and conditionning formulas. Some of them are really difficult to obtain. I really don't understand the jealousy and the negativity on this one. Jow formulas are far more worth than the 50 bucks we are paying for. A true source for Dit Da people, martial artists and herb enthusiasts. Everyone involved in Dit Da Jow / Iron Palm Jow should have it on his shelf!