HOME REMEDIES BY SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN

                        St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." COMMON HOP (HUMULIS LUPULUS) Common hop is  warm and dry. It is not particularly useful because it brings about melancholy, makes a person depressed, and is a burden on the internal organs. When common hop is added to drinks, however, its bitterness keeps putrefaction at bay and extends their shelf life. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Malaria   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

                       St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." CHICORY (CICHORIUM INTYBUS) Chicory is  warm and humid, and there is in its nature a striving for stately appearance; whoever carries it with them draws people's hatred. Against CHEST PAIN and HOARSENESS , make a brew of chicory and equal parts of the greater burdock ( Arctium lappa ), boiled in pure wine , and take it frequently after meals and at night.  If you suffer from INDIGESTION , take chicory and large burdock, dry them in the sun or on a hot brick, add the third part (of the individual plant) crystallised or dried salt. In this manner make a drink and add honey in the end. Take of this after meals and during the night. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physi

St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them."   WHITE DEAD-NETTLE (LAMIUM ALBUM) The white dead-nettle is warm and those who enjoy it like to laugh because its warmth affects the  spleen and thus cheers the heart. Against the GROWING WHITE SPOT IN THE EYE,  the fresh plant should be placed in spring water overnight, and then sauteed in a pan over the fire. Afterwards it is to be tied over the eyes while still warm , for three days and three nights. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Heart problems   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." LARGER BINDWEED (CONVOLVULUS SEPIUM)  Bindweed is cold . It does not possess any  particular healing powers and is neither beneficial nor harmful. Against BRITTLE NAILS , apply crushed bindweed to which some mercury has been added. (From: Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • spasms   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." MANDRAKE (ATROPA MANDRAGORA) The mandrake is warm, a little watery and comes from the earth from which Adam was made; it (actually the root) is somewhat similar to humans. This is precisely why this plant is more exposed to the whispers and simulations of the devil than other plants.  When the root is dug, it should immediately be placed in spring water for one day and one night, in order for all evil and repulsive things to be sucked out of it. [It helps against the temptation to be  UNFAITHFUL IN MARRIAGE  - the husband as well as the wife.] (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • External injuries   This translation is for informative purposes only.

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." GREEN SPURGE (EUPHORBIA ESULA) Green spurge is considered a poison. It has a sudden  warmth which burns a person's flesh, but at the same time it also contains an inferior moisture , which is detrimental to human flesh.  According to the ancient philosophers of medicine, its only benefit is that it is sometimes added to some laxative drinks against CONSTIPATION . It increases the effects of those medicines in so far as the  evil found in the human body is thus driven out by another evil. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Forgetfulness   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please

    St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." CUCKOOPINT (ARUM MACULATUM) Cuckoopint is neither moist nor very strong, but it has an even, moderate warmth, like the sun after its rise, like the dew in summer before daybreak is pleasant. In the case of the PLAGUE with BLACK BUBOES , which ends in painful death, the leaves and the roots should be given [...] (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • snakes   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." HAZELWORT (ASARUM EUROPAEUM) Hazelwort is very warm and extremely dangerous . It must be avoided. It does do harm to human nature. In case of illness, it merely exacerbates the pain. Pregnant women especially [are to be most particularly careful not to accidentally take hazelwort; this may well endanger their own life.] (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Fainting   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." FERN (ASPIDIUM FILIX MAS) Fern is warm and dry, and has quite a large amount of sap. It also has many virtues, yes, such power that the devil himself takes flight from it. Wherever it grows, the devil seldom succeeds with his sinister deeds; fern scares him off just as it does prevent damage from thunderstorms .  Whoever carries the fern with him is kept safe from the stalking of the devil and from evil attacks on life and limb . Just as each human has a sense of good and bad, so too are herbs made for him, good and bad. The sap of the fern, however, is directed towards the good and holy, that is why all evil and magic shies away from it.  Therefore, in a house where it is kept, fern does no

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." HOME REMEDIES: COLCHICUM VARIEGATUM Colchicum variegatum is  cold and  dry and is neither healthy nor medicinal. Its consumption causes irreparable damage to a person's intellectual powers, and then causes death.   Domesticated animals do not die from it, but they get sluggish and sickly. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Tumours   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." WILD HOP (BYRONIA ALBA) Wild hop is warm . For human consumption it is as useless as weed. Its warmth is dangerous .  However, it is an  ANTIDOTE TO POISON . If this plant is singed so that its scent or its heat comes in contact with poison, the latter loses its potency. If it is fried in the fire like a turnip and afterwards - still hot - cut into pieces, its smell drives away TOADS AND SNAKES . Even man is affected by this if he has not  protected himself beforehand by the consumption of rue. Against OPEN ULCERS ON THE FEET  place wild hop on them (which have been boiled in water), and pour the cooking water over the feet [once it has cooled down]. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FA

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." COMMON HOUSELEEK (SEMPERVIVUM TECTORUM) Common houseleek is  warm and not beneficial for man, because it is greasy - it would cause lecherousness to the point that you go insane. For a remedy against  MALE DYSFUNCTION  you soak common houseleek in goat's milk that it is entirely saturated by the fluid. Then you cook the mixture, add a few eggs, and consume it. Take this daily for three to five days. This medicine does not help against infertility in women. Against DEAFNESS  take human milk of a woman who has given birth to a boy ten to twelve weeks prior, mix in the juice of common houseleek and regularly put three or four drops of the solution into the ears. (From: St Hildegard of Bing

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." CAMPHOR LAUREL (CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA) Camphor, namely the rubber, has a pure coldness, but the tree from which camphor exudes has a sharp and fine cold .  If one ingests the camphor alone without the green, the fire that is in man is dampened. Therefore it is strongly advised not to take the camphor on its own.  On the other hand, the sick and the weak become wonderfully STRONG , and the healthy even stronger , if they often take camphor on an empty stomach in the following composition: Take the same amount of aloe and myrrh, and camphor a little less than the weight of each, and melt these ingredients together in a pan, finally add some coltsfoot ( Tussilago farfara ) and form the mixture in

St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them."   HEMLOCK (CONIUM MACULATUM) Hemlock is  warm and  dangerous - when eaten, it wreaks havoc in the human body.  When you have sustained injuries by having been beaten with clubs, knuckles or ropes, or if anyone has broken his limbs and flesh by falling from a great height, a bandage soaked in hemlock decoction  should be applied - it has a healing effect.  Likewise, anyone who has contracted tumours between the flesh and skin due to EXTERNAL INJURIES should scald hemlock in hot water and apply it to the affected areas. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Immodest heat   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnes

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." PEPPERWORT (LEPIDIUM LATIFOLIUM) Pepperwort is warm and moist. Eating pepperwort is beneficial for both the healthy and the sick. It strengthens the heart and the stomach,  cheers the spirit and makes the eyes clear.  (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • A bad memory   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them."   LADY'S SMOCK (CARDAMINE PRATENSIS) Lady's smock (Sysemera; [ Cardamine pratensis ]) Lady's smock is cold .  Against POISONING , take equal parts of Lady's smock,  common rue ( Ruta graveolens ) and common hedgenettle ( Betonica officinalis ), crush them and squeeze out the juice, add twice as much caper spurge ( Euphorbia latyris ) juice as the weight of each individual plant, strain and let the drink be taken in a warm place, on an empty stomach. Afterwards the sick person should take honey root , which removes the poison by vomiting or purging.  Against LICE , make an ointment of Lady's smock and grease.   A puree, made from a decoction of Lady's smock and fat, hel

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." ENGLISH LAVENDER (LAVANDULA VERA) See here for common lavender English Lavender is  warm - and dry , because it possesses but little juice.  It has a very pleasant fragrance; it is not really useful for man, though, apart from the fact that it drives away lice [head lice] and that its fragrance helps to clear the eyes . (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Breathlessness   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." COMMON PUFFBALL (LYCOPERDON PERLATUM) The common puffball is cold and hard and harmful to man and beast alike. It does not contain any healing substances. With most severe GOUT (when you feel as if your members are literally ripped apart) - in this case common puffball may be taken in order to alleviate the harmful juices [which are present in the person's organism]. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Spasms This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." COMMON HOREHOUND (MARRUBIUM VULGARE) Horehound is  warm and cures various conditions. [Heated in water] and applied on the ears so that the warm steam enters into them and envelopes the head helps if you are HARD OF HEARING .  Horehound boiled - with some  wine added - relieves a SORE THROAT .  Against COUGH prepare a mixture by boiling horehound in wine, to which some fennel and  dill is added. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Constipation   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." GREAT YELLOW GENTIAN (GENTIANA LUTEA) Yellow gentian is adequately warm.  Boiled in wine , it is an outstanding remedy against HEART PROBLEMS and STOMACH TROUBLE . (From:St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • A weak character   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them. WILD THYME (THYMUS SERPYLLUM) If someone has flesh so POORLY NOURISHED that it looks scab-like, he should often eat wild thyme with meat or porridge.  An ointment prepared from fresh fat and wild thyme  helps against DRY, SCALY PATCHES on the skin.  To remedy a WEAK, DEFICIENT BRAIN , it is recommended to eat bread rolls made from wheat flour and wild thyme. (From: Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • A remedy to increase strength • Melancholy   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." HART'S TONGUE (ASPLENIUM SCOLOPENDRIUM) Hart's tongue is  warm and and it is medicinal for LUNG AND INTESTINAL PAIN . Boil it well in wine , add pure honey and let it boil again, then add powdered long pepper and twice as much cinnamon , let it boil yet once more and strain through a cloth. In this way you get a clear drink , which is to be taken both with the meals and on an empty stomach. It is beneficial to the liver, cleanses the lungs, heals the diseased intestines and removes the mucus and internal putrefaction.  If you suffer from HEADACHE OR CHEST PAIN , take hart's tongue powder directly from your hand. This remedy is prepared by hart's tongue being dried in the sun

  St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." LUNGWORT (PULMONARIA OFFICINALIS) Lungwort is  cold and a little bit dry ; it is not really useful for a person's health. If, however, someone's LUNGS ARE SWOLLEN  ,so that he keeps COUGHING and CAN HARDLY BREATHE , a remedy of lungwort boiled in wine  is taken regularly.  Lungwort is beneficial for sheep to eat , if they eat much of it they become healthy, put on weight and produce much milk. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Lack of appetite   • Skin rash   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

    St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." CHRISTMAS ROSE (HELLEBORUS NIGER) The Christmas rose has fiery heat and cold . If someone suffers from destructive, deadly juices boiling in any of the limbs, let him always take Christmas rose and he will recover.  With the absorption of the Christmas rose QUARTAN FEVER (if it is taken at the onset of the same), GOUT  and STOMACH FLU will be driven away. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Poisoning • Halitosis   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

    St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." CUBEB (PIPER CUBEBA) Cubeb is relatively warm . Eating cubeb helps to curb the IMMODEST HEAT . It also brightens the spirit and makes it cheerful; it facilitates pure knowledge and a clean character. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Oozing pustules   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

    St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." LAVENDER (LAVANDULA SPICA) Common lavender ( Lavandula spica ) [ L. augustofolia, L. officinalis ] Common lavender is warm and dry, its warmth is beneficial.  Boiled with  wine or honey and water it gets rid of  CHEST CONGESTION  and alleviates  LUNG AND LIVER PAIN .  It brings about pure knowledge and a good character. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Immodest heat • Memory loss This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

    St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." FLEAWORT (PLANTAGO PSYLLIUM) Fleawort is of a  cold nature; but along with the cold has a pleasant temperament.  Boiled in  wine and drunk warm it  SOOTHES FEVER , brightens the spirit of man and  STRENGTHENS THE BRAIN .  Placed on the stomach in a warm bandage, it eliminates STOMACH FEVER . (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Constipation • Anemia This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

    St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." LILY (LILIUM CANDIDUM) Lily, Madonna lily ( Lilium candidum ). The lily is more  cold than warm. An ointment cooked from the root of the lily with lard helps against the WHITE LEPROSY . If you suffer from a RASH , you should drink plenty of goat's milk, squeeze out the stalk of the lily and the leaves, make a paste from flour and the juice  and place it on the rash. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Infected eyes   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

      St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." PROVENCE ROSE (ROSA CENTIFOLIA) The rose is cold, but that particular cold has a useful principle in it. Collect the rose petals at daybreak and place them over the EYES . They make them clear and draw out [inflammation].  Rose petals are also useful for bandaging ULCERS and for all kinds of medicines and ointments.  If you get angry easily, grind to powder dried rose petals and some sage. As soon as the ANGER stirs, bring some powder to your nose. The sage soothes and the rose cheers.  An ointment made from roses and half as much sage, boiled with fat and water, eliminates SPASMS and PARALYSIS . (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Tremor in

    St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." CINNAMON (CINNAMOMUM CASSIA) Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) The tree (the bark of which is cinnamon) has much heat . Cinnamon is very  hot and has tremendous strength. It possesses a certain amount of moisture along with the heat - the former, however, is more pronounced.  Frequently eating cinnamon reduces the bad juices [in the body] and promotes the good ones. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Mood swings   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or conditions, please seek medical help.

    St Hildegard writes: "When God created man, a different type of earth was used to form him. Henceforth, all substances were subject to man, because they sensed that in him was life, and they endeavoured to aid him in him in all his efforts, and man's aim, in turn, was to help them." CUMIN (CUMINUM CYMINUM) Cumin is of moderate warmth . It is  dry and medicinal against congestion. Healthy people are advised to frequently eat cumin. For the weak, however, cumin is harmful.  Cumin seeds should be sprinkled on cooked or fried cheese.  To remedy NAUSEA , take cumin seeds and the third or fourth part of pepper and  Burnet saxifrage  ( Pimpinella saxifraga ), powder them and add pure wheat flour and some egg yolk, and form little buns of the mixture, which are dried in a hot oven or in hot ash. (From: St Hildegard of Bingen, Physica) FAVOURITE MEDIEVAL REMEDIES AGAINST: • Fatigue   This translation is for informative purposes only. If you suffer from any illnesses or condit