Neijing Nature-Based Medicine

The Apricot Grove Project

Apricot Grove Project2025-03-23T14:16:58-07:00

Who We Are

The Apricot Grove is an engaged community that brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds—healthcare professionals, scholars, scientists, artists, and more. United by a shared purpose, this community is dedicated to fostering human transformation and promoting global well-being through the exploration and preservation of traditional medical knowledge and practices.

A group at a Clinical Practicum (Trout Lake, Washington)

The Apricot Grove

The Meaning of “Xinglin”

In Chinese, the term Xinglin (Apricot Grove) symbolizes compassionate and skilled medical care, delivered with an open heart to improve the world. This term originates from Dong Feng, a renowned physician of the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 C.E.), whose altruistic practice left a lasting legacy.

Rather than requesting monetary payment, Dong Feng asked his patients to plant apricot trees—one for minor illnesses and five for severe cases. Over time, his initiative resulted in a grove of over 100,000 trees. Wealthy visitors who gathered apricots were asked to donate rice, which was then distributed to those in need. Through his medical expertise and generosity, Dong Feng not only healed individuals but also supported his community.

Today, the term Xinglin continues to serve as a powerful symbol of medical excellence, ethics, community support and the profound connection between nature and healing.

Our Mission

We train highly knowledgeable and skilled healthcare professionals through a comprehensive study of the original sources of Chinese medicine and the principles of nature’s design.

Dr. Edward Neal

Director, The Apricot Grove

Principal Instructor, Neijing Nature-Based Medicine

Primary Researcher and Translator, The Apricot Grove

Hirsh Diamant

Calligraphy

Classical Text Reading

Board Member, The Apricot Grove

DJ Steele

Neijing Nature-Based Traditional Anatomy

Pere Garcia Carreté

Neijing Nature-Based Acupuncturist

Board Member, The Apricot Grove

Principal, The Apricot Grove Research and Training Center (Barcelona)

Naturopathic Physician

Rebecca Fettig

Japanese Moxibustion

Principal, The Apricot Grove Research and Training Center (California)

Want to learn more about education and training at The Apricot Grove?

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