Hildegard von Bingen - her healing statements

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Biography

Hildegard von Bingen was born in Bermersheim vor der Höhe (today Rheinhessen) in 1098 as the tenth child of ten children of the ministerial family (service nobility) of the nobleman Hildebert von Bermersheim and his wife Mechthild.

The tenth child was often referred to as „Tenth“ (oblate) was consecrated to God and, in accordance with religious obligation and the nature of nobility, given to the monastery as a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God. This had the advantage that both provision and education were guaranteed.

She lived there as a Benedictine nun, eventually becoming abbess of the Rupertsberg monastery near Bingen and maintaining influential correspondence with popes, emperors and bishops.

She died in 1179 and went down in history as a universal scholar, theologian, mystic, poet, composer, naturalist and one of the most important women of the German Middle Ages.

Your medical works

Major works on medicine

„Causae et Curae“ (causes and treatments)

• Created ca. 1150-1160
• Systematic presentation of diseases and therapies
• Theory of humors (humoral pathology)
• Gynecology, Obstetrics

„Physica“ (natural history)

• Also called „Liber subtilitatum diversarum naturarum creaturarum“
• 9 books about plants, elements, trees, stones, fish, birds, animals, metals
• Approx. 2000 recipes and remedies
• Description of approx. 300 plants

Worldview framework

Hildegard's medicine is embedded in

1. Christian theology
   • Illness as a consequence of the fall of man
   • Healing as divine grace
   • Creation as God-given and good
2. Ancient medicine (Galenos, Hippocrates)
   • Four-juice doctrine (blood, phlegm, yellow/black bile)
   • Four elements (fire, water, air, earth)
   • Four qualities (warm, cold, damp, dry)
3. Monastic medicine
   • Benedictine Rule: „The sick are to be served above all“
   • A centuries-old tradition of monastic medicine
   • Herb gardens, hospitals
4. Visionary revelation
   • Hildegard claimed to have gained her knowledge through divine visions to have received
   • „Living light“ (lux vivens)
   • Not empirical-experimental, but revealed

Hildegard's medical system

Theoretical foundations

Viriditas („green power“)

• Hildegard's central concept
• Divine life force in creation
• Health = strong viridity
• Illness = weakened viriditas

Discretio (moderation)

• Moderation in all areas of life
• Balance between extremes
• Dietetics (lifestyle)

Subtilitas (subtlety)

• Hidden healing powers in natural substances
• Only recognizable through revelation

Diagnostics and understanding the disease

Humoral pathology - As in ancient medicine: imbalance of the juices causes illness

„Black bile“ (melancholy) - Hildegard particularly emphasized this aspect - the connection between mental and physical suffering

Urinalysis (urinalysis) - Most important diagnostic procedure in the Middle Ages - also central to Hildegard

Therapeutic approaches

Dietetics (nutrition and lifestyle)

• Spelt as the „best grain“
• Avoidance of certain foods
• Fasting and moderation

Herbal medicine

• Herbs as teas, ointments, infusions
• Specific plants for specific ailments

Gemstone therapy

• Healing powers of stones
• Laid on, worn, soaked in water

Rejection procedure

• Bloodletting
• Cupping
• Laxative

Psycho-spiritual therapy

• Prayer, confession, penance
• Music and singing
• Work and employment

Concrete healing claims - scientific verification

Spelt

Hildegard's statement (Physica I, 1)

„Spelt is the best grain, it is warm and fat and strong, and it is milder than other types of grain, and it gives the person who eats it good flesh and good blood, and it brings joy and happiness to a person's mind.“

Scientific review

Nutritional value comparison: Spelt (Triticum spelta) is genetically closely related to wheat.

Nutrient	Spelt	Wheat	Rating
protein	~15%	~13%	Slightly higher
Dietary fiber	~10g/100g	~9g/100g	Minimally higher
Vitamins B	Similar	Similar	No significant difference
Minerals	Similar	Similar	No significant difference
Gluten	Available	Available	Not gluten-free!

Studies:

• Schoenlechner et al. (2008) in Journal of Cereal ScienceSpelt and wheat have similar nutritional profiles
• Ruibal-Mendieta et al. (2005) in Journal of Agricultural and Food ChemistryNo superior antioxidant capacity of spelt

Conclusion: Spelt is a wholesome cereals, but not demonstrably superior compared to other whole grains. The statement that it is the „best“ grain is scientifically not used.

Myth: Spelt is suitable for wheat allergy sufferers → WRONG. Spelt contains gluten and is unsuitable for people with coeliac disease.

Galangal (Alpinia officinarum)

Hildegard's statement

„If you have pain in your back or side, boil galangal in wine and drink it warm... and it will heal you.“

Scientific review:

Ingredients:

• Essential oils (eugenol, cineole)
• Flavonoids
• Gingerols and galangin

Studies:

• Matsuda et al. (2003) in Journal of EthnopharmacologyAnti-inflammatory properties of galangal in vitro
• Verma et al. (2011) in Journal of Medicinal FoodAntioxidant and antimicrobial activity
• Al-Yahya et al. (1990) in Pharmaceutical BiologyTraditional use for gastrointestinal complaints

But: No clinical studies (RCTs) on „back pain“ or other specific Hildegard indications.

Conclusion: Galangal has Detected bioactive substances with anti-inflammatory properties. Hildegard's specific healing statements are not confirmed by modern studies, but plausible due to the ingredients.

Bertram (Anacyclus pyrethrum)

Hildegard's statement

„Bertram is very warm... and whoever eats bertram reduces the bad juices in it and makes good juices.“

Scientific review

Ingredients:

• Pyrethrin (pungent tasting)
• Alkamides

Studies:

• Very limited
• Saghir et al. (2001) in Phytotherapy ResearchAntimicrobial properties
• Traditional use in Ayurveda and Unani medicine

Conclusion: Hardly any scientific research to Bertram. Traditional use documented, but modern clinical evidence missing.

Quendel (field thyme)

Hildegard's statement

Good against leprosy and various skin diseases.

Scientific review

Thyme (Thymus) in general

• Essential oils: Thymol, carvacrol
• Antimicrobial effect: Well documented

Studies

• Hotta et al. (2010) in Biological and Pharmaceutical BulletinAntimicrobial activity of thymol
• Rota et al. (2008) in Food ChemistryAntioxidant properties

But: Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae causes and requires Antibiotics (dapsone, rifampicin). Thyme is not effective against leprosy.

Conclusion: Thyme has Proven antimicrobial and antioxidant Characteristics. The specific statement on leprosy is scientifically refuted.

Gemstone therapy

Hildegard's statements

Amethyst

„Anyone who has skin spots or swellings on their body should moisten an amethyst with their saliva... and the spot or swelling will disappear.“

Emerald

„Against all human weaknesses and diseases... Emerald placed in wine, drunk sober early.“

Scientific review

Chemical composition

• Gemstones are mineral crystals
• Amethyst: quartz (SiO₂) with traces of iron
• Emerald: Beryl (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈) with traces of chrome

Studies on gemstone therapy

No scientific evidence

• No published studies in recognized scientific journals that prove the therapeutic effect of gemstones
• No plausible mechanisms of action from a chemical or physical point of view
• Gemstones give at room temperature no bioactive substances away

Lyvers & Meester (2012) in British Journal of Psychology

• Study on „crystal healing“
• Result: Pure placebo effects, no specific effect

Conclusion: Gemstone therapy is Scientifically untenable. No demonstrable mechanisms of action. Effects are Placebo.

Bloodletting

Hildegard's statement

Regular bloodletting to cleanse the blood and for various diseases.

Scientific review

Historical context

Bloodletting was Standard therapy from antiquity to the 19th century.

Modern valuation

Harmful in most cases:

• Blood loss weakens patients
• Can lead to anemia
• Counterproductive for infections

Only modern indications

• Polycythaemia vera (too many red blood cells)
• Hemochromatosis (iron overload)

Rosenfeld (1997) in Journal of the History of Medicine:

• Historical analysis: bloodletting has probably done more harm than good
• George Washington may have died from excessive bloodletting

Conclusion: Bloodletting is Medically outdated and for most Hildegard indications harmful, not healing.

Systematic scientific evaluation

Are there any scientific studies on „Hildegard medicine“?

Yes, but limited:

Herterich (2012): Dissertation at the University of Würzburg

• „The monastic medicine of Hildegard of Bingen“
• Historical and pharmacological analysis
• Conclusion: Some plants have plausible active ingredients, many statements are speculative

Strehlow (1997-2020): Dr. Wighard Strehlow

• Long-time advocate of Hildegard medicine
• Publications often not peer-reviewed
• Methodologically questionable studies
• Criticism: Conflicts of interest (commercial distribution of Hildegard products)

Portmann (1997): „Hildegard von Bingen - pioneer of modern naturopathy“

• Popular science
• Selective display
• Lack of references

Peer-reviewed research

PubMed (January 2026)

• Search term: „Hildegard von Bingen“ + „medicine“
• Result: ~15 hits
• Majority historical, non-clinical studies

Significant publications

Müller-Jahncke (2001) in Sudhoff's archive

• Historical analysis of the recipes
• Conclusion: Hildegard follows medieval tradition, no revolutionary innovations

Madejsky (2008) - „The plants of Hildegard von Bingen“

• Identification and description
• But: No clinical efficacy studies

Lack of RCTs: There are No randomized, controlled studies, that systematically investigate specific Hildegard formulations or therapies.

Problems with „Hildegard research“

Conflicts of interest

• Many „researchers“ sell Hildegard products
• Lack of independence

Methodological shortcomings

• Uncontrolled observational studies
• Lack of blinding
• Small samples
• No publication in renowned journals

Selective interpretation

• Successes are emphasized, failures ignored
• „Cherry-picking“ of historical statements

Text problems

• Medieval manuscripts difficult to interpret
• Plant identification uncertain (medieval vs. modern names)
• Later edits and additions

Critical voices

Medical historian

Heinrich Schipperges (1920-2003)

• Renowned medical historian
• Important works on Hildegard
• Position: Hildegard as Product of its time, not as a timeless authority
• Warning against uncritical modernization

Quote Schipperges:

„Hildegard von Bingen must be understood from her time. She was not a scientist in the modern sense, but a theologian and visionary.“

Pharmacological criticism

Prof. Manfred Schubert-Zsilavecz (University of Frankfurt)

• Pharmacist and medical historian
• Criticism of commercial „Hildegard medicine“
• Position: Some plants plausible, many statements scientifically untenable

Dr. Ernst (Emeritus Professor of Complementary Medicine, Exeter)

• Critical of historical healing systems in various publications
• Position: Respect for historical significance, but no modern therapeutic relevance

Theological criticism

Prof. Barbara Newman (Northwestern University)

• Hildegard researcher
• Warning: Do not misunderstand Hildegard's visions as medical instructions
• Primarily theological-mystical texts

Quote Newman:

„Hildegard's medical writings are deeply rooted in her theological worldview. To remove them from this context and market them as ‚alternative medicine‘ misses their original meaning.“

Science journalism

German Medical Journal (2012) - Critical article on the „Hildegard boom“:

• Warning against uncritical adoption
• Emphasis: Historical figure ≠ medical authority
• Demand for evidence-based standards

What is scientifically tenable?

Plausible aspects

Herbal medicine - (partial) scientifically confirmed

• Fennel: Carminative (against flatulence) - confirmed by studies
• Sage: Antimicrobial - confirmed
• Lavender: Reassuring - confirmed

But: These effects were also known before Hildegard (ancient medicine). Hildegard has them not discovered, but handed down.

Holistic approach

• Consideration of body, soul and lifestyle
• Modern - Bio-psycho-social model
• Value - Patient-centered medicine

Dietetics

• Importance of diet, sleep, exercise, moderation
• Modern - Preventive medicine, lifestyle medicine
• Value - Evidence-based

Psychosomatics

• Hildegard recognized the connection between soul and body
• Modern: Psychosomatic medicine
• Value: Scientifically confirmed

Unsustainable aspects

Humoral pathology

• Four juices do not exist
• Scientifically refuted since the 19th century

Gemstone therapy

• No mechanisms of action
• Pure placebo effects

Bloodletting (in Hildegard's indications)

• Predominantly harmful
• Only useful for very specific modern indications

Specific disease classifications

• „Spelt against melancholy“ - not proven
• „Emerald against all diseases“ - absurd

Visionary revelation as a source of knowledge

• Science is based on Empiricism and experiment
• Revelation is not a scientific method

Modern „Hildegard medicine“ - a critical view

The „Hildegard boom“ since the 1970s

Dr. Gottfried Hertzka (1913-1997)

• Doctor, „rediscoverer“ of Hildegard medicine
• Founded the „International Hildegard of Bingen Society“
• Popular books (not scientific)

Dr. Wighard Strehlow

• Pupils of Hertzka
• Numerous publications
• Operates Hildegard centers and mail order business

Problem

• Commercial interests - Products, seminars, books
• Uncritical worship - „Hildegard knew everything“
• Ahistorical interpretation - Modernization of medieval texts

Typical modern „Hildegard products“

Examples

• Spelt coffee
• Galangal tablets
• Bear's Root Pear Honey
• Gemstone elixirs
• Habermus (spelt breakfast porridge)

Criticism

• Often very expensive compared to comparable products
• Marketing with Hildegard's name and authority
• Effectiveness statements mostly not occupied
• Partial not authentic (modern recipes that are attributed to Hildegard)

„Hildegard fasting“

Concept

• Reduction diet with spelt, vegetables, fruit
• Avoid meat, milk and eggs
• Herbal teas

Scientific evaluation

Positive

• Calorie reduction can be healthy
• Vegetable and fruit-based diet evidence-based good

Questionable

• No specific advantages compared to other healthy diets
• Strict avoidance of dairy products without a medical reason is problematic
• Hildegard herself did not teach „fasting“ in this sense (modern construction)

Legal situation

Therapeutic Products Advertising Act (HWG):

• Advertising with reference to illness prohibited for non-drug products
• Many Hildegard products violate the HWG

Consumer protection:

• Warnings against exaggerated advertising claims
• „Cures cancer“, „against diabetes“ etc. → illegal

EU Health Claims Regulation:

• Health claims must be scientifically proven
• Most Hildegard claims are not authorized

Hildegard vs. modern phytotherapy

Similarities

Both use plants as a remedy

• Ingredients can be pharmacologically active
• Tradition plays a role

Decisive differences

Aspect	Hildegard medicine	Modern phytotherapy
Method of cognition	Visionary revelation	Scientific research (RCTs)
Mechanism of action	Viriditas, juices	Identified chemical substances
Standardization	Not standardized	Standardized extracts
Quality control	Often missing	GMP, Pharmacopoeia
Evidence	Anecdotal, historical	Clinical studies
dosage	Vague („little“, „a lot“)	Precise (mg data)
Indications	Broad, unspecific claims	Specific, approved indications

Example St. John's wort

Hildegard - Not specifically mentioned (was known in MA, but not central to it)

Modern phytotherapy

• Active ingredient: Hyperforin, Hypericin
• Indication: Mild to moderate depression
• Evidence: Multiple RCTs, meta-analyses (e.g. Cochrane Review)
• Dosage: 900 mg extract daily (standardized)
• Admission: Approved as a medicinal product

Is Hildegard medicine dangerous?

Direct dangers

Mostly low

• Most Hildegard plants are Relatively harmless in usual doses
• Gemstones are inert (unless swallowed → choking hazard)

Exceptions

1. toxic plants: Hildegard sometimes recommends plants that Toxic are or can be:

• Tansy: Can damage the liver
• Celandine: Hepatotoxic in higher doses
• Wolfsbane: Highly poisonous (whether Hildegard recommended it is disputed in the text)

2. allergies and interactions

• Plant substances can trigger allergies
• Interactions with medication (e.g. St. John's wort with the pill, blood thinners)

3. bloodletting

• Dangerous with the wrong indications
• Anemia, weakness, fatal in case of infection

Indirect risks

The biggest risk: delaying effective treatment, e.g. with

Cancer

• When patient Hildegard medicine instead of evidence-based therapy chooses
• Delay can life-threatening be

Infections

• Severe bacterial infections require Antibiotics
• Herbal teas are insufficient

Diabetes, high blood pressure, other chronic diseases

• Medication is often necessary
• Hildegard medicine as a substitute → Complications

Ernst (2010) in Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies

• Case reports of damage caused by delaying conventional therapy when relying on historical healing systems

Psychological dangers

Magical thinking

• Dependence on resources instead of independent action
• „Hildegard said...“ → Belief in authority

Feelings of guilt

• „If it doesn't work, I haven't believed/fasted/prayed enough“
• Self-blame for treatment failure

Historical classification vs. modern application

Hildegard in her context

12th century:

• Medical knowledge: Humoral pathology, no understanding of microorganisms, immune system, biochemistry
• Life expectancy: ~30-40 years
• Main causes of death: Infections, birth complications, malnutrition
• Hildegard's performance: Collection and systematization of contemporary knowledge, influenced by visions

Hildegard was remarkable for her time, but no wonder.

What we can learn from Hildegard (without imitating her medically)

1. holistic approach

• Man as a unit
• Modern medicine can learn from the bio-psycho-social model

2. prevention

• Lifestyle, diet, moderation
• Modern preventive medicine confirms these principles (albeit for different reasons)

3. humility and reverence for creation

• Sustainability, respect for nature
• Ecological medicine

4. importance of spirituality for health

• Not: Prayer as a substitute for medicine
• But rather: Prayer as a resource, coping strategy
• Evidence - religiosity can provide psychological support (Koenig et al., Handbook of Religion and Health)

5. patient-centered medicine

• Take time, listen, see the person
• Criticism of „assembly line medicine“

What we should NOT take over from Hildegard

1. medical system
Humoral pathology is refuted
Visionary revelation is no substitute for scientific research

2. specific therapies without evidence:
Gemstones, bloodletting (in their indications), many plant associations

3. belief in authority:
Hildegard was no omniscient
Critical thinking is essential

4. superstition:
„Magical“ properties of substances
Sympathy magic

Scientific sources / further reading

Scientific literature on Hildegard

History of medicine:

Schipperges, H. (1995):Hildegard of Bingen. A sign for our time. Freiburg: Herder.
Critical historical classification
Müller-Jahncke, W.-D. (2001) „Hildegard of Bingen“ in Sudhoff's archive, vol. 85
Peer-reviewed, historical analysis
Newman, B. (1998) Voice of the Living Light: Hildegard of Bingen and Her World. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Comprehensive biography, theological focus

Textual criticism:

Moulinier-Brogi, L. (2003): „Hildegarde de Bingen, une encyclopédiste du XIIe siècle“ in Micrologus Critical text analysis

Pharmacology/Botany:

Madejsky, M. (2008) Hildegard medicine for women
Identification of the plants, but uncritical in terms of efficacy
Herterich, K. (2012) The monastic medicine of Hildegard of Bingen (Dissertation)
Systematic analysis

Critical literature

Ernst, E. (2001) „Harmless Herbs? A Review of the Recent Literature“ in American Journal of Medicine
Warning against uncritical use of historical healing systems
Barrett, S. (2013) „Questionable Claims for Hildegard of Bingen's Herbal Remedies“ on Quackwatch
Skeptical analysis

Where to find evidence-based information?

For phytotherapy in general (not specifically Hildegard)

• Library - Systematic reviews of herbal remedies
• WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants
• European Medicines Agency (EMA) - HMPC Monographs
• Commission E (BfArM, Germany) - Phytotherapy monographs
  Authorities.

These sources evaluate plants according to scientific, not historical standards!

Conclusion and recommendations for action

Summary of the scientific evaluation

Hildegard of Bingen

• Historic - Important, fascinating personality of the Middle Ages
• Theological - Doctor of the Church, mystic
• Medical (modern) - No scientifically validated healing system

Your healing statements:
- Partly plausible - Some plants have proven active ingredients (but this was also known before Hildegard)
- Partly untenable - Gemstones, bloodletting, humoral pathology
- Mostly untested - No modern clinical studies on specific Hildegard formulations

Evidence base:

• No RCTs on „Hildegard medicine“ as a system
• No peer-reviewed publications in high-ranking medical journals that demonstrate therapeutic superiority
• Commercial „Hildegard research“: Methodologically questionable, conflicts of interest

Closing words

Hildegard von Bingen deserves respect and appreciation as a historical figure, theologian, mystic and remarkable woman of her time.

But: Historical greatness does not legitimize the uncritical adoption of medical statements from the 12th century. Since Hildegard, medicine has tremendous progress made:

• Discovery of microorganisms
• Antisepsis and hygiene
• Antibiotics
• Surgical techniques
• Imaging procedures
• Molecular biology and personalized medicine

These advances are based on scientific methodology, not revelation.
Hildegard can inspire in her wholeness, her spiritual depth, her reverence for creation. But she should not be our medical authority in the 21st century.

The scientifically honest answer is:

Hildegard's healing statements are historically interesting and partly plausible (where she passes on contemporary knowledge), but not validated by modern scientific standards. The commercial „Hildegard medicine“ is for the most part Marketing, not evidence-based medicine.

If you want to live a healthy life: Use Modern evidence-based preventive medicine (Mediterranean diet, exercise, stress management, social contacts, spirituality as a resource).

If you are ill: Look for Qualified medical assistance on the basis of current scientific knowledge.