Thunder Dragon
Neigong and Alchemical Arts

Soft, Strong, and Balanced: Why Authentic Taijiquan Requires More Than Relaxation

Among the many misconceptions surrounding Taijiquan, perhaps none is more widespread than the belief that the art is simply about relaxing. Ask the average person what makes Taiji unique, and they will likely describe slow, graceful movements performed with complete softness. While this image certainly reflects one important aspect of the art, it also conceals one of its greatest misunderstandings. Authentic Taijiquan is not the practice of becoming limp, weak, or passive. It

Josh Goheen

Jun 266 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)

🌿 Blessed Thistle Botanical Name: Cnicus benedictus Family: Asteraceae Common Names: Blessed Thistle, Holy Thistle, St. Benedict's Thistle, Spotted Thistle Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaves, stems, flowering tops) Energetics: Warming, drying, intensely bitter Tissue States: Digestive torpor, cold damp stagnation, poor appetite, sluggish circulation, weakened digestion, convalescence Primary Actions: Bitter tonic, digestive stimulant, galactagogue, diaphoretic, alterative, ant

Josh Goheen

Jun 2424 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus)

🌿 Greater Celandine Botanical Name: Chelidonium majus Family: Papaveraceae Common Names: Greater Celandine, Celandine, Swallow Wort, Tetterwort, Wartweed, Devil's Milk Parts Used: Aerial parts, root, fresh latex (traditionally) Energetics: Cooling, drying, bitter, slightly acrid Tissue States: Hepatobiliary congestion, damp heat, biliary stagnation, spasmodic digestive tension, chronic skin eruptions, sluggish elimination Primary Actions: Cholagogue, choleretic, hepatic stim

Josh Goheen

Jun 2225 min read

The Principle of Gender: The Creative Dance of Yin and Yang

And now, in this final installment of our series exploring the Seven Hermetic Principles and their relationship to the alchemical path and the internal martial arts, we arrive at the seventh and last principle: the Principle of Gender. This is easily one of the most misunderstood principles in the modern world, and also one of the most abused. Not because the principle itself is unclear, but because modern culture has become deeply confused about the nature of reality—about w

Josh Goheen

Jun 196 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula)

🌿 Codonopsis Botanical Name: Codonopsis pilosula (primary medicinal species) Family: Campanulaceae Common Names: Codonopsis, Dang Shen, Poor Man’s Ginseng, Bellflower Root Parts Used: Root Energetics: Neutral to slightly warming, moistening, sweet Tissue States: Deficiency, fatigue, dryness from depletion, poor assimilation, weakened immunity, recovery states Primary Actions: Adaptogen, qi tonic, immunomodulator, digestive tonic, nutritive restorative, mild hematinic Codonop

Josh Goheen

Jun 1725 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Rhubarb (Rheum spp.)

🌿 Rhubarb Botanical Name: Rheum palmatum, Rheum officinale, Rheum tanguticum (medicinal rhubarbs) Family: Polygonaceae Common Names: Rhubarb, Chinese Rhubarb, Turkey Rhubarb, Da Huang Parts Used: Root and rhizome (medicinal); leaf stalks are used as food, while the leaves themselves are toxic and not used medicinally Energetics: Cold, drying, bitter Tissue States: Heat with stagnation, intestinal congestion, damp heat, toxic accumulation, inflammatory excess Primary Actions:

Josh Goheen

Jun 1524 min read

The Principle of Cause and Effect: The Alchemist’s Law of Responsibility

In this seventh article of our series on the Seven Hermetic Principles and their relationship to the alchemical path and the internal martial arts, we now turn to the sixth principle: the Principle of Cause and Effect. At first glance, this principle appears simple—perhaps even obvious. Every effect must have a cause. Nothing happens randomly. Every event is the consequence of something prior. In physics we learn this early. Newton’s Third Law states that for every action the

Josh Goheen

Jun 126 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

🌿 Goldenseal Botanical Name: Hydrastis canadensis Family: Ranunculaceae Common Names: Goldenseal, Yellow Root, Orange Root, Eye Root Parts Used: Rhizome and root Energetics: Cooling, drying, bitter Tissue States: Damp heat, boggy mucosa, chronic catarrh, atonic tissues, inflamed and infected mucous membranes Primary Actions: Antimicrobial, mucosal tonic, bitter digestive stimulant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, alterative Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) 🌱 Botanical Descr

Josh Goheen

Jun 1026 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

🌿 Yerba Mansa Botanical Name: Anemopsis californica Family: Saururaceae Common Names: Yerba Mansa, Mansa, Lizard Tail, Swamp Root Parts Used: Root, rhizome, leaves, flowering tops Energetics: Warming, drying, aromatic Tissue States: Boggy tissues, damp stagnation, chronic catarrh, relaxed mucosa, lymphatic congestion, cold damp inflammation Primary Actions: Antimicrobial, astringent, lymphatic, decongestant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, alterative Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis cali

Josh Goheen

Jun 824 min read

Choosing the Right Taiji and Qigong Teacher: Why Proper Instruction Matters More Than Ever

With the rising public interest in Taijiquan and Qigong, the number of available learning options has expanded rapidly. What was once reserved for those fortunate enough to live near a traditional martial arts school is now widely offered through community centers, wellness studios, fitness programs, and countless online videos. On the surface, this seems like an unqualified good. The spread of awareness means more people have access to practices that can improve health, redu

Josh Goheen

Jun 56 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)

🌿 Prairie Smoke Botanical Name: Geum triflorum Family: Rosaceae Common Names: Prairie Smoke, Old Man’s Whiskers, Three-Flowered Avens Parts Used: Root, flowering herb (less commonly), seed heads (symbolic/traditional use) Energetics: Warming, drying, astringent Tissue States: Relaxed tissues, damp stagnation, boggy mucosa, diarrhea with weakness, inflamed oral tissues Primary Actions: Astringent, styptic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, mild digestive bitter Prairie Smo

Josh Goheen

Jun 322 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Goldthread (Coptis chinensis)

🌿 Goldthread Botanical Name: Coptis chinensis (primary Traditional Chinese species) Related species: Coptis trifolia, Coptis teeta Family: Ranunculaceae Common Names: Coptis, Huang Lian Parts Used: Rhizome and root Energetics: Cold, drying, bitter Tissue States: Damp heat, toxic heat, inflamed mucosa, infection with irritation, excess metabolic heat Primary Actions: Antimicrobial, bitter tonic, anti-inflammatory, hepatobiliary stimulant, antidiarrheal, mucosal astringent Gol

Josh Goheen

Jun 124 min read

The Principle of Rhythm: Learning to Flow with the Pulse of the Tao

In this sixth article of our series on the Seven Hermetic Principles and their relationship to the alchemical path and the internal martial arts, we now turn to the fifth principle: the Principle of Rhythm. If the Principle of Polarity teaches us that all reality is expressed through complementary opposites, then the Principle of Rhythm explains how those opposites move. Polarity is structure; rhythm is motion. Polarity is the two poles of the pendulum; rhythm is the pendulum

Josh Goheen

May 295 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Dill (Anethum graveolens)

🌿 Dill Botanical Name: Anethum graveolens Family: Apiaceae Common Names: Dill, Dillweed Parts Used: Seeds (fruit), leaves, flowering tops Energetics: Warming, drying, aromatic Tissue States: Cold digestion, damp stagnation, spasmodic cramping, sluggish lactation, nervous tension with digestive involvement Primary Actions: Carminative, antispasmodic, digestive stimulant, galactagogue (mild), antimicrobial, nervine (gentle) Dill (Anethum graveolens) 🌱 Botanical Description of

Josh Goheen

May 2723 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Rock Rose (Cistus spp.)

🌿 Rock Rose Botanical Name: Cistus creticus / Cistus ladanifer (commonly used species) Family: Cistaceae Common Names: Rock Rose, Cistus, Labdanum (resin), Sun Rose Parts Used: Leaves, young stems, resin (labdanum) Energetics: Cooling, drying, strongly astringent Tissue States: Damp heat, lax tissues, chronic infection, immune weakness with inflammation, excess mucous discharge Primary Actions: Astringent, antiviral, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, vulnerary Ro

Josh Goheen

May 2522 min read

The Fourth Limb: Pranayama and the Bridge Between Body and Mind

In the previous article in our series on the Eight Limbs of Yoga we examined Asana, the third limb of Yoga, and how postural training rebuilds the body into a functional vessel capable of supporting deeper internal work. Now we come to the fourth limb, one of the most well-known aspects of Yoga practice: Pranayama. Pranayama refers to breath regulation and breath cultivation. Like Asana, it is widely practiced in the modern world—often as a standalone wellness method, and oft

Josh Goheen

May 225 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

🌿 Okra Botanical Name: Abelmoschus esculentus Family: Malvaceae Common Names: Okra, Gumbo, Lady’s Finger Parts Used: Pod (fruit), seeds, leaves (less common), mucilage (from fresh pods) Energetics: Cooling, moistening, soothing Tissue States: Dryness, irritation, inflammation, heat in the gut, depleted mucosal tissue, urinary irritation Primary Actions: Demulcent, nutritive tonic, anti-inflammatory, mucosal restorative, mild diuretic, vulnerary Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Josh Goheen

May 2025 min read

🌻 Plant Profile - Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

🌻 Sunflower Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus Family: Asteraceae Common Names: Sunflower, Common Sunflower Parts Used: Seeds, flower heads, leaves, petals, stalk pith (traditional), oil Energetics: Warming, moistening, nourishing Tissue States: Dryness, deficiency, nervous depletion, stagnant circulation, mild inflammation with weakness Primary Actions: Nutritive tonic, nervine, demulcent (mild), anti-inflammatory, diuretic (mild), cardiovascular supportive, vulnerary Sunflo

Josh Goheen

May 1824 min read

Casual Qigong Practice Leads Nowhere

Taijiquan, Qigong, and Yoga originated as profoundly powerful systems of internal cultivation and alchemy. They were not invented as casual fitness trends, nor as recreational hobbies to fill time between work and entertainment. They were designed as serious methods of transformation—tools to strengthen the body, purify the mind, regulate the emotions, and ultimately relieve human suffering at its root. Yet in modern times, these practices have been reduced to something far s

Josh Goheen

May 155 min read

🌿 Plant Profile - Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)

🌿 Blue Tansy Botanical Name: Tanacetum annuum Family: Asteraceae Common Names: Blue Tansy, Moroccan Tansy Parts Used: Flowering tops (essential oil most commonly used) Energetics: Cooling, drying, dispersing Tissue States: Heat, inflammation, allergic reactivity, irritated skin, histamine excess, nervous overstimulation with inflammation Primary Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antihistamine-like, antispasmodic, nervine (aromatic), skin restorative, antimicrobial (mild) Blue Tans

Josh Goheen

May 1322 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

Soft, Strong, and Balanced: Why Authentic Taijiquan Requires More Than Relaxation

🌿 Plant Profile - Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)

🌿 Plant Profile - Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus)

The Principle of Gender: The Creative Dance of Yin and Yang

🌿 Plant Profile - Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula)

🌿 Plant Profile - Rhubarb (Rheum spp.)

The Principle of Cause and Effect: The Alchemist’s Law of Responsibility

🌿 Plant Profile - Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

🌿 Plant Profile - Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Choosing the Right Taiji and Qigong Teacher: Why Proper Instruction Matters More Than Ever

🌿 Plant Profile - Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)

🌿 Plant Profile - Goldthread (Coptis chinensis)

The Principle of Rhythm: Learning to Flow with the Pulse of the Tao

🌿 Plant Profile - Dill (Anethum graveolens)

🌿 Plant Profile - Rock Rose (Cistus spp.)

The Fourth Limb: Pranayama and the Bridge Between Body and Mind

🌿 Plant Profile - Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

🌻 Plant Profile - Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Casual Qigong Practice Leads Nowhere

🌿 Plant Profile - Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)

Thunder Dragon
Neigong and Alchemical Arts