18 Bitter Healing Plants and Herbs
These healing plants contain bitter substances that are an important part of their overall healing composition. Bitter substances work to stimulate the liver’s metabolic function to restore your body’s powerful detoxifying organ.
Thyme Benefits
Thyme benefits have been known and used for over 4,000 years. Common thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) is culinary and medicinal plant with ancient roots. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks both used thyme for a variety of purposes, eventually spreading throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. Benedictine monks brought the herb to Central Europe and incorporated it into…
The Health Benefits of Dandelion
Very few people know the power of Dandelion as a healing plant. From roots to blossom, every part of the plant contains healing properties.
Hildegard’s Hyssop Leaf
Hyssop leaf (Hyssopus officinalis) is a lovely, easy-to-grow member of the mint family native to southern Europe and Asia. Summer through fall, the plant blooms clusters of violet-blue flowers that adorn bunches of long stems covered in small green leaves. Blooms can also be pink or white. The hardy plant grows in bushes 12” to…
Hildegard’s Feverfew Uses
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium, formerly Chrysanthemum parthenium) is a mainstay Hildegard herbal remedy, which she referred to as Bertram. Bertram or Feverfew uses are well known in folk medicine, particularly as a migraine remedy. In appearance, the Feverfew plant resembles genuine Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Most Hildegard translations of Physica refer to Bertram (Anacyclus pyrethrum) as Feverfew…
Ancient Passion Flower Benefits
Passion flower benefits were not expressly known to Hildegard of Bingen, however the plant’s effects as a sleep remedy, particularly in combination with other herbs such as valerian, hops, or melissa have been established in Traditional German folk and monastic medicine for decades. Expansive History of passion flower benefits Over 350 species of passion flower (Passiflora…
Wormwood Benefits: Remedies & Cleansing
The wormwood plant has played a central role in natural medicine and holistic healing for a long time. Because of the numerous wormwood benefits, healers considered it to be a universal cure throughout the Middle Ages.
Hildegard’s History of Arnica
The history of Arnica (Arnica Montana) harkens back the early 16th century, as a popular German folk remedy. It was used to treat blunt injuries, bruising, inflammation, and skin lesions. Even the Shakespeare of Germany, Goethe, appreciated the benefits of Arnica. It is said that he regularly brewed Arnica tea to help recover from a…
Healing Plants: Hildegard’s 7 Plants that Heal
There’s an herb for that! You can use healing plants and herbs to treat virtually every ailment. While we have yet to discover all potential uses of medicinal plants and herbs, there is a long and storied history of healing plants that has left us with extensive practical knowledge of thousands of medicinal plants. Revival of…
6 Ways to Preserve Fresh Herbs
Autumn is bittersweet. The burst of color left behind as plants gather their energy inward for the winter is a delight, but it also means that the outward signs of life will retreat into the dormant – and often barren landscape. Even though the bounty of the Hildegarden has waned, we can still gather what remains,…
Caraway Seeds: Health Benefits and Remedies
The health benefits of caraway seeds have been known since antiquity. In fact, caraway (carum carvi) remains one of the oldest herbs and medicinal plants still in use in Europe. In addition to healing, caraway seeds have a long culinary and medicinal history. Take a look at the end of this post for caraway seed remedies…
Comfrey uses for Muscles and Bones
Comfrey- a topical solution to accelerate the healing process for inflammation, broken bones, bruising, muscle and joint pain, and skin conditions. Learn all about Comfrey here!