Hildegard of Bingen's Holistic Health Secrets: Natural remedies from the visionary pioneer of herbal medicine

After another herbalist said Hildegard's books was "essential reading", I checked it out. Yikes. I can slog through some pretty technical herbal literature if motivated, but Hildegard's approach to herbalism just didn't resonate with me, and her method of teaching and organising the material lost my interest in seconds. I then started looking for a summary of her ideas by someone who was good at cutting through the extras and delivering the bottom line. This book was just the ticket, and I'm extremely pleased with it. The layout is much more useful to me, and the index is fabulous. I was also pleased to see it has some good cautions. I find it exasperating when herbal books add "but ask your doctor first" at the end of every entry because they are trying to avoid responsibility for leading people astray. Detailed education is far more beneficial than vague, overused warnings. This book gets big points with me for giving some detailed cautions. Wormwood, for example, is highly toxic and can really damage your system if you start downing loads of it. This book warns you about those dangers, but in useful ways, by giving specific time limits for usage and detailing why it is harmful if you take it longer. Very nice.Hildegard lived in a different age than we do, and her remedies reflect that. But she still has some useful ideas, and while this wouldn't be the first book I reach for, I'm very pleased with it as supplemental information. As another reviewer noted, a lot of love went into the formatting of this book. It's beautifully presented, but it also really delivers with the content. I think this author would do a great job in any subject she tried to present, and I realise she's simply passing on Hildegard's thoughts, not her own. The author provides that critical bridge for us between Hildegard's now ancient seeming remedies, and some of our modern findings for why herbs act the way they do. For bakers and cooks, there is a generous amount of healthy recipes to try your hand at. I was pleasantly surprised to also find a short two-page introduction to using crystals (natural mineral stones). The whole crystal thing can sound pretty absurd to modern folks, but I've learned to be very open minded when it comes to the topic of health remedies. I've been meaning to look more into crystals "one of these days" just to see what all of the fuss was about, and this book did a good job of making a case for why there could be value in it after all.I wouldn't recommend this book as a primary resource for many reasons. It's just lacking far too much information (again, that's on Hildegard, not this author). The remedy for constipation, for example, is to drink 2 cups of mallow flower tea daily. We have far more accessible remedies than that in this modern age (coffee, prunes, iodine, high fibre cereals). But as a supplemental reference book, why not? Hildegard respected God as the Source of wisdom, and I always like to see what folks like that have to say, because at the end of the day, it is the Designer's wisdom that we are trying to uncover in the pursuit of health.

I absolutely recommend this book as an introduction to Hildergard's herbal medicine world. It's beautifully made, stunning!!!! Love it love it love it!

Thank you!

There is so much in this book that it is as much a reference book as a practical guide. I wouldn't utilise all of the ideas but I'm very impressed and pleased to have come across this book and highly recommend it. The overall premis is one of a balanced eating experience alongside vwhat nature so wonderfully supplies. St Hildegard and medieval knowledge at your fingertips!

This is a good insight to Hildegarde of Bingen's herbal practices. Also, there is a webite with her teachings and updated herbal recipes.

The illustrations are very beautiful and you really want to start applying the principles right away!

Really enjoying this book. A lot of TLC went into it. Wonderful and useful wisdom and information shared and images are charming.

I became interested in Hildegard after seeing her name mention in so many books. Then I saw a historical fiction movie called Outlander with her character in itThis book is full of valuable knowledge and great formulas

It is a nice introduction to the approach of Hildegard von Bingen related to health and a few herbal remedies.