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Thunder Dragon
Neigong and Alchemical Arts
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🌿 Plant Profile - Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
🌿 Alfalfa Botanical Name: Medicago sativa Family: Fabaceae (Legume family) Common Names: Alfalfa, Lucerne Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaves and stems), sprouts (young stage) Energetics: Cooling to neutral, moistening, alkalizing Tissue States: Deficiency, malnutrition, acidity, convalescence, mineral depletion Primary Actions: Nutritive tonic, alterative, mild diuretic, alkalizing, galactagogue, hypocholesterolemic Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) 🌱 Botanical Description of
Josh Goheen
1 day ago18 min read
Entering the Alchemical Worldview: A Foundation for Internal Cultivation
As students step onto the path of Taijiquan, Qigong, Neigong, meditation, yoga, or related internal arts, one of the greatest challenges they encounter is not physical—it is conceptual. These arts did not arise merely as systems of movement or exercise. They were born within complete worldviews: living cosmologies that describe how the universe functions, how human beings participate in that functioning, and how conscious cultivation can transform both health and spirit. In t
Josh Goheen
4 days ago3 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
🌿 Wormwood Botanical Name: Artemisia absinthium Family: Asteraceae Common Names: Wormwood, Absinthe Wormwood, Green Ginger Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaves and flowering tops) Energetics: Very bitter, warming, drying, penetrating Tissue States: Cold, dampness, stagnation, parasitic burden, microbial excess, digestive weakness Primary Actions: Bitter tonic, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, carminative, hepatic stimulant, emmenagogue, nervine (low dose), vermifuge ⚠️ Wormw
Josh Goheen
6 days ago21 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
🌿 Western Red Cedar Botanical Name: Thuja plicata Family: Cupressaceae Common Names: Western Red Cedar, Pacific Red Cedar, Giant Arborvitae, Canoe Cedar Parts Used: Leaves (scale tips), bark, wood, resin (primarily external or ceremonial) Energetics: Warming, drying, penetrating Tissue States: Cold, dampness, stagnation, microbial excess Primary Actions: Antimicrobial, expectorant, decongestant, rubefacient, astringent, ceremonial purifier ⚠️ Western Red Cedar is a p
Josh Goheen
Jan 1217 min read
Learning to Listen Inward: How to Assess Your Health Through Self-Awareness
One of the most overlooked skills in modern health culture is the ability to accurately sense oneself . Surrounded by constant stimulation, notifications, and external demands, many people have lost contact with their own internal state. They track steps, calories, and sleep cycles, yet remain strangely disconnected from how they actually feel . Consultations require self-analysis. True health assessment does not begin with tests, apps, or diagnoses. It begins with self-aware
Josh Goheen
Jan 93 min read
🍄 Plant Profile - Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)
🍄 Reishi Mushroom Botanical Name: Ganoderma lucidum (also G. lingzhi , G. tsugae in regional use) Family: Ganodermataceae Common Names: Reishi, Ling Zhi, Mushroom of Immortality, Spirit Mushroom Parts Used: Fruiting body (dried), mycelium (modern preparations) Energetics (TCM): Neutral to slightly warming, bitter, sweet Meridians: Heart, Lung, Liver Primary Actions: Adaptogen, immunomodulator, cardiotonic, hepatoprotective, nervine, anti-inflammatory, antitumor (ad
Josh Goheen
Jan 719 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium spp.)
🌿 Horny Goat Weed Botanical Name: Epimedium brevicornum , Epimedium sagittatum , Epimedium koreanum (medicinal species) Family: Berberidaceae Common Names: Horny Goat Weed, Yin Yang Huo Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaves primarily) Energetics (TCM): Warm, sweet, acrid Meridians: Kidney, Liver Primary Actions: Yang tonic, aphrodisiac, adaptogenic, vasodilatory, osteotonic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium spp.) 🌱 Botanical Description of H
Josh Goheen
Jan 518 min read
The Importance of Willpower and Discipline
Now and then I like to share material from other teachers, authors, and thinkers that I find to be valuable for students and for people in general. This is one such piece of material. While approached from the practical perspective of a former Navy Seal, Jocko Willink, this book perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Alchemical path. That essence is Will. In Chinese this is known as Zhi, one of the Wu Shen (Five Spirits) which resides in the kidneys. It is the source of ou
Josh Goheen
Jan 22 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Amla (Phyllanthus emblica)
🌿 Amla Botanical Name: Phyllanthus emblica (syn. Emblica officinalis ) Family: Phyllanthaceae Common Names: Amla, Amalaki, Indian Gooseberry Parts Used: Fruit (fresh or dried) Taste (Rasa): Sour (primary), sweet, bitter, pungent, astringent (all five except salty) Energetics: Cooling, rejuvenating Doshas: Pacifies Pitta strongly; balances Vata and Kapha when properly prepared Primary Actions: Rasāyana, antioxidant, adaptogenic, digestive tonic, hepatic, immunomo
Josh Goheen
Dec 31, 202519 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Mastic Tree (Pistacia lentiscus)
🌿 Mastic Tree Botanical Name: Pistacia lentiscus Family: Anacardiaceae Common Names: Mastic Tree, Lentisk, Masticha, Mastiha Parts Used: Resin (mastic gum), leaves, bark (less commonly) Energetics: Warming, drying, strengthening Tissue States: Dampness, weakness, inflammation, microbial imbalance, leaky or ulcerated tissues Primary Actions: Gastroprotective, antimicrobial, astringent, carminative, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, tonic Mastic Tree (Pistacia lentiscus) �
Josh Goheen
Dec 29, 202518 min read
Beyond Relaxation: The Alchemical Depth of Qigong and Taijiquan
In the modern world, qigong and Taijiquan are most commonly understood as gentle movement practices—slow, graceful exercises performed in parks, community centers, and rehabilitation clinics. They are widely promoted for improving balance, reducing stress, and supporting relaxation, especially among elderly or injured populations. This image is not incorrect, but it is profoundly incomplete. The majority of contemporary instruction does indeed emphasize soft choreography, mi
Josh Goheen
Dec 26, 20253 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Juniper (Juniperus communis)
🌿 Juniper Botanical Name: Juniperus communis (primary medicinal species) Family: Cupressaceae Common Names: Juniper, Common Juniper, Juniper Berry Parts Used: Berries (female cones), leaves/needles (primarily external or ritual use) Energetics: Warming, drying, penetrating Tissue States: Dampness, stagnation, cold, toxicity, microbial overload Primary Actions: Diuretic, urinary antiseptic, carminative, digestive stimulant, antimicrobial, diaphoretic, alterative, rub
Josh Goheen
Dec 24, 202518 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Birch (Betula spp.)
🌿 Birch Botanical Name: Betula pendula , Betula pubescens , Betula lenta (medicinal species vary by region) Family: Betulaceae Common Names: Birch, Silver Birch, White Birch, Sweet Birch, Black Birch Parts Used: Leaves, bark, buds, sap Energetics: Cooling to neutral, drying, light Tissue States: Dampness, stagnation, metabolic waste, skin congestion Primary Actions: Diuretic, alterative, anti-inflammatory, mild analgesic, vulnerary, astringent (bark), diaphoretic Si
Josh Goheen
Dec 22, 202518 min read
Personal Responsibility on the Alchemical Path: Ownership, Refinement, and the Internal Arts
The Alchemical Path The path of the alchemist is, and has always been, a path of Self-cultivation . In Taoist internal martial arts (neijia), Hermetic philosophy, and classical alchemy alike, the work is never outward first—it is inward. The aim is the continuous refinement of Body, Soul, and Spirit , guided by natural law and disciplined intent. Each day, the practitioner labors to overcome who they were the day before. The true struggle is not against society, fate, or circ
Josh Goheen
Dec 19, 20254 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Chaparral (Larrea tridentata)
🌿 Chaparral Botanical Name: Larrea tridentata Family: Zygophyllaceae Common Names: Chaparral, Creosote Bush, Gobernadora, Greasewood Parts Used: Leaves and young twigs (traditionally fresh or dried) Energetics: Cooling, drying, strongly detoxifying Tissue States: Heat, toxicity, damp-heat, chronic inflammation, microbial overload Primary Actions: Antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, alterative, antiparasitic, antiviral, topical vulnerary ⚠️ Chaparral is a c
Josh Goheen
Dec 17, 202519 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua)
🌿 Sweet Annie Botanical Name: Artemisia annua Family: Asteraceae Common Names: Sweet Annie, Sweet Wormwood, Annual Wormwood, Qing Hao, Sweet Sagewort Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaf, flower) Energetics: Cooling, drying, penetrating Tissue States: Heat, damp-heat, fever, inflammation, infection, stagnation Primary Actions: Antimalarial, antiparasitic, antiviral, immune-modulating, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, bitters tonic, aromatic carminative Sweet Annie (Artemisi
Josh Goheen
Dec 12, 202521 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Ophiopogon
🌿 Ophiopogon Botanical Name: Ophiopogon japonicus Chinese Name: Mai Men Dong (麦门冬) Family: Asparagaceae Used Part: Tuberous roots Energetics: Cooling, moistening, nourishing Tissue States: Dryness, deficiency (especially Yin deficiency), heat, irritability Primary Actions: Yin tonic, moistening demulcent, Lung tonic, Heart Blood and Shen nourisher, mild expectorant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective Ophiopogon japonicus 🌱 Botanical Description of Ophiopogon Ophio
Josh Goheen
Dec 10, 202521 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Hintonia latiflora
🌿 Hintonia latiflora Botanical Name: Hintonia latiflora Synonyms: Copalchi , Copalche , Quina Mexicana Family: Rubiaceae Plant Part Used: Bark (primarily), occasionally leaves and twigs Energetics: Cooling, mildly drying, stabilizing Tissue States: Heat with dryness, metabolic dysregulation, pancreatic insufficiency Primary Actions: Hypoglycemic, pancreatic trophorestorative, astringent bitter, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue, antimicrobial Copalchi (Hintonia latiflor
Josh Goheen
Dec 8, 202521 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Blue Flag (Iris versicolor)
🌿 Blue Flag Botanical Name: Iris versicolor Family: Iridaceae Common Names: Blue Flag, Wild Iris, Liver Lily, Poison Flag Parts Used: Rhizome and root Energetics: Cooling, drying, dispersing Tissue States: Damp stagnation, heat with congestion, lymphatic torpor, glandular swelling Primary Actions: Alterative, lymphatic, hepatobiliary stimulant, endocrine modulator, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying Blue Flag (Iris versicolor) 🌱 Botanical Description of Blue Flag A bea
Josh Goheen
Dec 5, 202516 min read
🌿 Plant Profile - Poke Root (Phytolacca americana)
🌿 Poke Root Botanical Name: Phytolacca americana Family: Phytolaccaceae Common Names: Poke, Poke Root, Pokeweed, Cancer Root, American Nightshade, Red Ink Plant Parts Used: Root (primarily), occasionally berries (ripe only) Energetics: Cold, powerful, penetrating, dispersing, detoxifying Tissue States: Heat with congestion, damp stagnation, lymphatic torpor, hardened swellings Primary Actions: Potent lymphagogue, alterative, immune stimulant, glandular decongestant
Josh Goheen
Dec 3, 202517 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.
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