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Juujikan Bruise and Arthritis Balm

Liminal Chronicles    Features + WA Events    Challenges      Summer Camp 2025      Juujikan Bruise and Arthritis Balm
This stuff is the bomb! I've never seen anything heal deep bruises so quickly. You should've seen the black and blue all over my knuckles the other day. And now? Bet you can't even tell! What? No, I wasn't in a fight. I was practicing kendo with Matsuo-kun.
— Umeji Tatsuya
  This recipe from the Ohno clan's secret book of Herbalism, Potions, & Magical Healing has been passed down for over two centuries for the clan's little Magical Medical Clinic of Nonogawa. It's become Ohno Suzu's specialty.   They don't sell the balm. It's only given to patients at the clinic. Those that attend know to keep their visits under wraps. Magical medicine isn't always looked upon favorably by modern society, in part because the practitioners don't usually have a medical degree. Though each member of the Ohno clan that makes it has the highest ranking apothocary certification.  

Uses

  • Bruises
  • Swelling
  • Muscle pain
  • Topical poisoning and strong allergies
  • Arthritis
  • Blood clots
    •  

    Application

    Spread liberally on the affected area. Reapply every 2-4 hours. The patient should see a rapid reduction in symptoms. Cover the wound if needed to keep the balm from staining clothing.  

    Warnings

  • The potion creator will need a significant amount of ki to fuel the spells for this recipe.
  • Poisonous if ingested in large amounts.
  • Topical use only. Do not apply to broken skin or near the eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Do not mix with other anti-swelling and anticoagulant medications. Otherwise, the patient may have issues with their blood being too thin to clot.
  • Do not use 2 weeks prior to any surgeries.
  • Recap the jar quickly after application since the balm's effectiveness is diminished by exposure to light.

    • Work in Progress

    This article will be expanded in the future.

    Stub

    This article will be expanded in the future.

    Definition

    This article stub serves as a simple definition.

    Type
    Biomaterial
    Rarity
    Rare. It's only made by the Ohno clan. Not to be sold.
    Odor
    Pine and sage with a hint of otherworldly sweetness.
    Taste
    Please don't taste this balm, it has arnica in it which is poisonous if ingested in large amounts.
    Color
    Leafy yellow-green.
    Common State
    A thick, goopy gel
    Storage
    Put the balm in a light proof container and store at room temperature.
    Arinica Montana by Walther Otto Müller, Public Domain

    Secret: Juuji Bruise and Arthritis Balm Recipe

      Time to make: 10 hours (including the required offerings).  

    Ingredients

  • 2 tsp ground Sage leaves, recently dried (no more than 2 weeks ago), purified by priest
  • 1 tsp ground White pine
  • 4 drops Arnica oil, as fresh as can be acquired. (Overnight shipping is preferred from the best Eastern European stockists, but it's not always possible. See Stockists Index page 389.)
  • 1/8 tsp Agar (food grade)
  • 1/2 c Boiling water
  • 1/4 c Petroleum jelly
  • High-grade healing spell from page 145
  • Allergy removal spell from page 248 to avoid possible ragweed allergens for patients
  • 1 tsp Salt (preservative and disinfectant)
  • 2 drops Bitter apple (to discourage children from tasting it)
  • 3 drops Tea Tree oil (disinfectant)
    •  
    Offerings
  • Refresh the salt, sake, and rice the night before at family altar
  • Leave a portion of the potion afterward at local shrine and temple
    •  

    Method

  • Place ingredients in an omyoudou star circle.
  • Purify the ingredients that weren't already purified by waving salt over them. (See spell wording on page 138.)
  • Apply allergy removal spell to the arnica.
  • Mix the dry ingredients (except the agar) thoroughly in a glass bowl to avoid metal reaction.
  • Boil them for 20 minutes or until the liquid is halved.
  • Add the liquid ingredients.
  • Quickly fold the agar into the boiling liquid. Remove from heat and immediately add the petroleum jelly.
  • Mix thoroughly.
  • Quickly transfer to a lightproof jar.
    •  

    References

  • National Institute of Health
  • Alternative Medicine Japan
  • Dr. Aya Ginji 's experience with one of our patients
  • Belgrade Tower Alternative Medicine Shop's handwritten note from 1917

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    Entry for Worldbuilding Summer Camp 2025

    Answering: "A substance known for its unique smell"
    Visit shyredfox's Competition Page Check all other answers to this prompt Competition Homepage
    Buy shyredfox a coffee!

    Inspiration

    The world of Liminal Chronicles brings in and builds on Japanese mythology and folklore. While this setting does not represent "actual Japan", the author does her best to respect and show her love for the Japanese culture in this "world". Departures from Folklore and Culture describes where the author has chosen to deviate from real world Japan to create Liminal Chronicles.

    This site and related stories are works of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

    Copyright

    Artwork and content (if nothing else is stated) are
    2025
    Amy Winters-Voss. If content created by another is used, it is used with permission or licensed for use. All rights reserved. You may not use the material without written permission from the author. You may not use content from this site for AI training, AI purposes, or NFT purposes.

    Theme page background credits: rawpixel.com. Global header, Umeji Tatsuya, Nakamura Hisako,and Shion character art, and Rise and Guardian bookcovers by Odette.A.Bach.

    World Anvil logo and WA event logos are property of and provided by World Anvil.   All HeroForge character art and tokens created by Amy Winters-Voss are owned by, and used under license from, HeroForge.com. HeroForge.com is not responsible for the content of this site and hereby disclaims any and all content and views expressed herein.
    Article template
    Material
    World
    Liminal Chronicles
    Author
    shyredfox
    Publication Date
    1 Jul, 2025
    Creation Date
    1 Jul, 2025
    Last Update Date
    2 Jul, 2025
    Visibility
    Public
    Views
    37
    Favorites
    7
    Comments
    3
    Work In Progress
    Tags
    idx-j ITEMS healing herbalism medicines magic ki potions

    Comments

    Author's Notes

    Please note this is not an actual recipe and is not for medical use. It's for a fictional world and is a fictional recipe, based loosely on real world things.

      References:

  • Arnica on Web MD

    • Please Login in order to comment!
    Councilor of the Inner Sanctum Serukis
    Jul 4, 2025 13:50 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

    Do not eat the balm!!!   Would be wonderful if something like this existed in real life.

    Emy x
    Explore Etrea | Summer Camp 2025
    Councilor of the Inner Sanctum shyredfox
    Jul 4, 2025 19:42 by Amy Winters-Voss

    The closest I've found is Tiger Balm or an arnica gel. Alas, no magic! Thanks for the comment!

    Author of the Liminal Chronicles urban fantasy series | Author Website
    Grandmaster Keon Croucher
    Jul 4, 2025 14:03 by Keon Croucher

    A very useful substance indeed, and a well thought out article. I appreciate especially even a 'magick' medicine has potential side effects for incorrect or over use, as one might expect. Nothing is safe at every potential dose size, so that was a wonderful touch that added just the right sort of dash of reality within the concept of this curative, so very well done, it was a treat to read :)

    Keon Croucher, Chronicler of the Age of Revitalization
    Councilor of the Inner Sanctum shyredfox
    Jul 4, 2025 19:43 by Amy Winters-Voss

    Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment and the read! <3

    Author of the Liminal Chronicles urban fantasy series | Author Website
    Exalted Councilor of the Inner Sanctum Laurabones
    Jul 5, 2025 09:11 by Laurabones

    Ok this is a really well put together article. I love the format, has inspired for my potions in my witch world, when I get back to writing in it.

    Councilor of the Inner Sanctum shyredfox
    Jul 31, 2025 14:12 by Amy Winters-Voss

    Oh, thank you! Yes, feel free to use the format. <3 I know you'll make awesome potion articles!

    Author of the Liminal Chronicles urban fantasy series | Author Website
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