Thunder Dragon
Neigong and Alchemical Arts

🌿 Plant Profile - Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

🌿 Maca Botanical Name Lepidium meyenii Walp. is the scientific name for maca, a plant that has garnered significant attention for its nutritional and medicinal properties. In contemporary botanical literature, it is often classified under the name Lepidium peruvianum G. Chacón as well. However, Lepidium meyenii remains the most widely recognized and accepted scientific nomenclature in both academic and practical applications. This plant is native to the high Andes mountains

Josh Goheen

2 days ago40 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Celery (Apium graveolens)

🌿 Celery Botanical Name Apium graveolens L. Family Apiaceae — Carrot Family Common Names Celery Wild Celery Garden Celery Smallage Celery Seed Ache Apium Parts Used Stalks Leaves Roots Seeds/fruits Essential oil The stalk and leaves of celery are primarily recognized as both nutritious foods and gentle medicinal agents that contribute to overall health. These parts of the plant are often incorporated into salads, soups, and juices, providing a refreshing crunch and a mild fl

Josh Goheen

4 days ago37 min read

The Fifth Limb: Pratyahara and the Turning Within

In the previous articles, we have followed the first four limbs of the Eightfold path from ethical foundation to physical preparation and breath cultivation. Yama established restraint in our relationship with the world. Niyama refined our inner life. Asana prepared and reorganized the body. Pranayama refined the breath and began to bring the mind under conscious direction. Now we arrive at the fifth limb: Pratyahara. With Pratyahara, something fundamental changes. The practi

Josh Goheen

Oct 919 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Culver's Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)

🌿 Culver's Root Botanical Name: Veronicastrum virginicum (L.) Farw. Family: Plantaginaceae Former Classification: Veronica virginica L. Common Names: Culver's Root, Culver's Physic, Black Root, Bowman's Root, Whorlywort, Beaumont Root Parts Used: Root and rhizome Energetics: Bitter, cooling, drying, stimulating, downward-moving Tissue States: Dampness, hepatic congestion, digestive stagnation, constipation, sluggish elimination, inflammatory accumulation Primary Actions: Alt

Josh Goheen

Oct 731 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)

🌿 Sweet Orange Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Family: Rutaceae Common Names: Sweet Orange, Orange, Sweet Orange Tree, China Orange Parts Used: Fruit, peel, seeds, flowers, leaves, essential oil Energetics: Warming, aromatic, gently stimulating, drying, sweet, mildly bitter Tissue States: Dampness, digestive stagnation, mild congestion, tension, nervous depletion, sluggish circulation Primary Actions: Carminative, digestive stimulant, mild bitter, aromatic nervin

Josh Goheen

Oct 533 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Chocolate Tips (Lomatium dissectum)

🌿 Chocolate Tips Botanical Name: Lomatium dissectum (Nutt.) Mathias & Constance Family: Apiaceae Common Names: Chocolate Tips, Fernleaf Biscuitroot, Fernleaf Desert Parsley, Giant Biscuitroot, Giant Lomatium, Carrotleaf Biscuitroot, Cough Root Parts Used: Root primarily; leaves and young shoots have also been used traditionally Energetics: Warming, drying, aromatic, bitter, resinous, stimulating Tissue States: Dampness, respiratory congestion, mucus accumulation, stagnation,

Josh Goheen

Oct 235 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Labrador Tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum)

🌿 Labrador Tea Botanical Name: Rhododendron groenlandicum (Oeder) Kron & Judd Synonyms: Ledum groenlandicum, Ledum latifolium Family: Ericaceae Common Names: Labrador Tea, Northern Labrador Tea, Hudson Bay Tea, James Tea, Muskeg Tea, Indian Tea, Bog Labrador Tea Parts Used: Leaves and young shoots Energetics: Aromatic, warming, drying, stimulating, pungent, slightly bitter Tissue States: Dampness, mucus, respiratory congestion, sluggish digestion, chronic stagnation Primary

Josh Goheen

Sep 2833 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium Michx.)

🌿 Rattlesnake Master Botanical Name: Eryngium yuccifolium Michx. Family: Apiaceae Common Names: Rattlesnake Master, Button Snakeroot, Yucca-leaved Eryngium, Rattlesnake Root, Button Snake-root Parts Used: Root primarily; occasionally leaves and aerial portions Energetics: Warming, drying, stimulating, bitter, pungent Tissue States: Dampness, stagnation, inflammatory congestion, toxic accumulation, sluggish circulation, respiratory congestion Primary Actions: Alterative, diap

Josh Goheen

Sep 2328 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Butternut (Juglans cinerea L.)

🌿 Butternut Botanical Name: Juglans cinerea L. Family: Juglandaceae Common Names: Butternut, White Walnut, Oilnut, Long Walnut Parts Used: Inner bark, root bark, bark of young branches, leaves, nuts Energetics: Warming, stimulating, drying, slightly bitter, relaxing to the bowels Tissue States: Dampness, stagnation, sluggish elimination, intestinal congestion, torpor, accumulated metabolic waste Primary Actions: Alterative, mild laxative, cholagogue, digestive stimulant, ant

Josh Goheen

Sep 2128 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.)

🌿 Black Alder Botanical Name: Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. Betulaceae Common Names: Black Alder, European Alder, Common Alder, European Black Alder, Tag Alder Parts Used: Bark, leaves, catkins, and occasionally young twigs Energetics: Cooling, drying, astringent, bitter, stimulating Tissue States: Dampness, lymphatic congestion, edema, chronic inflammation, venous stagnation, tissue laxity, excessive secretions Primary Actions: Alterative, astringent, anti-inflammatory, lymp

Josh Goheen

Sep 1630 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa)

🌿 Figwort Botanical Name: Scrophularia nodosa Family: Scrophulariaceae Common Names: Figwort, Knotted Figwort, Woodland Figwort, Throatwort, Rosenoble Parts Used: Root and aerial parts, particularly the root Energetics: Cooling, drying, stimulating, alterative Tissue States: Damp heat, lymphatic congestion, glandular stagnation, chronic skin inflammation, swollen tissues, metabolic accumulation Primary Actions: Alterative, lymphatic stimulant, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, a

Josh Goheen

Sep 1433 min read

Internal Locus of Control: Personal Responsibility and the Path of the Alchemist

The Question of Who Controls Your Life In the internal cultivation arts, it is important to recognize the difference between what psychology describes as an internal locus of control and an external locus of control. The distinction is simple in principle, although its implications reach into every area of life. A person who primarily operates from an external locus of control tends to view the events and outcomes of life as being determined largely by forces outside of thems

Josh Goheen

Sep 49 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus)

🌿 Devil's Club Botanical Name: Oplopanax horridus Family: Araliaceae Common Names: Devil's Club, Devil's Walking Stick, Alaskan Ginseng, Pacific Devil's Club, Bear's Club Parts Used: Inner root bark and root; occasionally bark and leaves in traditional external preparations Energetics: Warming, stimulating, drying, penetrating Tissue States: Cold, damp stagnation, metabolic sluggishness, chronic weakness, respiratory congestion, inflammatory stagnation Primary Actions: Adapt

Josh Goheen

Sep 230 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

🌿 Coltsfoot Botanical Name: Tussilago farfara Family: Asteraceae Common Names: Coltsfoot, Coughwort, Horsefoot, Ass's Foot, Filius ante patrem Parts Used: Leaves and flowers, traditionally the leaf Energetics: Cooling, moistening, soothing, demulcent Tissue States: Dryness, irritated mucous membranes, hot and dry cough, bronchial irritation, respiratory inflammation Primary Actions: Demulcent, expectorant, antitussive, mucosal protectant, anti-inflammatory, respiratory sooth

Josh Goheen

Aug 3128 min read

Cannabis, Psychedelics, and Internal Cultivation: What Is Their Place in Authentic Qigong, Taijiquan, and Yoga?

Few subjects generate more passionate debate today than cannabis and other psychoactive plants and mushrooms. Opinions often fall at opposite extremes. Some oppose their use entirely, while others regard them as a panacea capable of addressing almost every physical, emotional, or spiritual problem. Among practitioners of spiritual and energetic disciplines such as Qigong, Taijiquan, Yoga, and meditation, the latter perspective is especially common. Throughout history, many cu

Josh Goheen

Aug 286 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)

🌿 Prickly Pear Botanical Name: Opuntia ficus-indica and related Opuntia species Family: Cactaceae Common Names: Prickly Pear, Indian Fig, Barbary Fig, Cactus Pear, Tuna, Nopal, Sabra Parts Used: Pads (cladodes), fruit, flowers, seeds Energetics: Cooling, moistening, nourishing, mildly astringent Tissue States: Heat, dryness, inflammation, metabolic excess, digestive irritation, urinary heat, tissue depletion Primary Actions: Demulcent, nutritive, antioxidant, anti-inflammato

Josh Goheen

Aug 2633 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria)

🌿 Wild Indigo Botanical Name: Baptisia tinctoria Family: Fabaceae Common Names: Wild Indigo, Yellow Wild Indigo, Horsefly Weed, Indigo Weed, Rattleweed Parts Used: Root and aerial portions, traditionally the root Energetics: Cooling, stimulating, drying, alterative Tissue States: Toxic accumulation, lymphatic stagnation, septic-type conditions, congested mucous membranes, inflammatory heat, impaired elimination Primary Actions: Alterative, lymphatic stimulant, antimicrobial,

Josh Goheen

Aug 2428 min read

Wu De (武德): Why Character Is the Foundation of Authentic Taijiquan and Qigong

Today, Taijiquan and Qigong are most commonly practiced as gentle forms of exercise. They are widely recommended for improving balance, reducing stress, supporting healthy aging, and promoting overall wellness. Scientific research continues to validate their effectiveness for these purposes, and rightly so. Even introductory practice can produce meaningful improvements in physical and mental health. Yet beneath these widely recognized health benefits lies a much deeper tradit

Josh Goheen

Aug 216 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

🌿 Oregano Botanical Name: Origanum vulgare Family: Lamiaceae Common Names: Oregano, Wild Marjoram, Mountain Mint, Winter Sweet, Pot Marjoram, Greek Oregano (various cultivated forms) Parts Used: Leaves, flowering tops, essential oil (used with caution) Energetics: Warming, drying, aromatic Tissue States: Cold damp stagnation, respiratory congestion, sluggish digestion, microbial overgrowth, intestinal dysbiosis, chronic mucus accumulation Primary Actions: Antimicrobial, anti

Josh Goheen

Aug 1927 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Night-Blooming Cereus (Selenicereus grandiflorus)

🌿 Night-Blooming Cereus Botanical Name: Selenicereus grandiflorus (historically Cereus grandiflorus) Family: Cactaceae Common Names: Night-Blooming Cereus, Queen of the Night, Lady of the Night, Large-Flowered Cactus, Sweet-Scented Cactus Parts Used: Stem and flowers; traditionally the fresh flowering stem Energetics: Cooling, relaxing, aromatic, slightly bitter Tissue States: Nervous tension, cardiovascular spasm, heat and excitation, circulatory stagnation, muscular constr

Josh Goheen

Aug 1727 min read

DISCLAIMER:

As with any diet or exercise program, always consult a qualified physician prior to beginning any new routine, especially if you have any health issues. The training and information provided on this site and in person is for educational consideration only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease, nor is it to take the place of any qualified medical treatment.

All original material presented represents the thoughts, opinions, and experiences of the author and is intended to be taken as such. All quoted or shared material is the property and responsibility of the original author/source.

Thunder Dragon Neigong and Alchemical Arts

🌿 Plant Profile - Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

🌿 Plant Profile - Celery (Apium graveolens)

The Fifth Limb: Pratyahara and the Turning Within

🌿 Plant Profile - Culver's Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)

🌿 Plant Profile - Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)

🌿 Plant Profile - Chocolate Tips (Lomatium dissectum)

🌿 Plant Profile - Labrador Tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum)

🌿 Plant Profile - Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium Michx.)

🌿 Plant Profile - Butternut (Juglans cinerea L.)

🌿 Plant Profile - Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.)

🌿 Plant Profile - Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa)

Internal Locus of Control: Personal Responsibility and the Path of the Alchemist

🌿 Plant Profile - Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus)

🌿 Plant Profile - Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

Cannabis, Psychedelics, and Internal Cultivation: What Is Their Place in Authentic Qigong, Taijiquan, and Yoga?

🌿 Plant Profile - Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)

🌿 Plant Profile - Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria)

Wu De (武德): Why Character Is the Foundation of Authentic Taijiquan and Qigong

🌿 Plant Profile - Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

🌿 Plant Profile - Night-Blooming Cereus (Selenicereus grandiflorus)

Thunder Dragon
Neigong and Alchemical Arts