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The Stone Chamber: Six Exhibits from the Physica
In her Physica, Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179) described not only plants but also gemstones and metals. This page shows six pieces from this tradition as in a display case: image, label and verbatim quotation. We present these texts as historical sources – they are not instructions and not a statement about effects.
Jasper
Recorded attributions
Hildegard described the jasper for applications concerning the ear, the common cold and gout. According to her description, the stone was breathed upon with warm breath and laid on the body.
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But a person who is deaf in one ear should hold the jasper to his mouth and breathe on it with his warm breath so that it becomes warm and moist through this. And immediately he should put it in his ear and insert thin tow from that stone. And thus close the ear so that the warmth of this stone penetrates into the ear. And as this stone grows from the various kinds of air, so it also dissolves various diseases of the humors, and thus that (sick person) will regain hearing.
And whoever has a strong cold should hold the jasper to his mouth and breathe on it with his warm breath so that it becomes warm and moist, and thus put it into the nostrils and press the nose closed with his hand so that the warmth of that (stone) penetrates into the head. And the humors of the head will be dissolved all the more quickly and mildly, and (the sick person) will feel better.
And (in) whoever storms of the humors, that is gout, occur in the heart or in the loins or in any other limb of a person, let him place the jasper on that spot and press it until it becomes warm there, and the gout will recede, because the good warmth and the good power heals and calms those incorrectly warm (and) cold humors.”
Amethyst
Recorded attributions
Hildegard described the amethyst for the skin: for swellings and for spots on the face. The tradition mentions moistening the stone and a water in which it had lain.
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And if a person swells up somewhere on his body through a sudden swelling, let him moisten this stone with his saliva, and thus moistened touch the swelling everywhere, and the swelling will become smaller and disappear.
But if a person has spots on his face, let him moisten the amethyst with his saliva and coat his face with it. Also make water warm over the fire and hold the amethyst over this water. Finally, place this stone itself into the water and wash the face with this water. Done often, the facial skin will become delicate and the complexion beautiful.”
Agate
Recorded attributions
Hildegard described the agate worn on the bare skin; she attributed to it understanding and wise speech, and also described it for people with the “falling sickness”.
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And when a person carries this stone with him, let him place it on his bare skin so that it becomes warm, and its nature makes that person capable and intelligent and wise in speaking, because (the stone) originates from fire and from air and from water. For just as a harmful herb, when placed on a person's skin, sometimes causes a blister or an ulcer there, so also certain gemstones, when placed on a person's skin, make him healthy and intelligent through their power.
And a person who has falling sickness and who is moonstruck should always have an agate lying on his skin, and then it will go better for him. For people are often born with these diseases, but also contract them as a result of bad humors and epidemics.
And whoever has falling sickness should place the agate in water for three days when the moon is full, and on the fourth day he should take (the stone) away, and he should cook that water moderately so that it does not boil over, and thus preserve it and cook with it all the foods that he eats in the time until the moon completely wanes. And whatever he drinks in the meantime, whether wine or water, let him place the agate in it. And let him do this for ten months, and he will be healed, unless God does not will it.”
Chalcedony
Recorded attributions
Hildegard described the chalcedony worn on the skin. She attributed to it gentleness against quick temper and a steady, wise manner of speaking.
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And when this stone is carried by a person, he should keep it with him so that it touches his skin, so that it is also placed on a vein of his body, and that vein and the blood, which receive the warmth and the power (of the stone), transmit these forces to the other veins and to the other blood. And thus this stone wards off diseases from the person and grants him a very strong sense against quick temper, so that he will be so gentle in his manners that hardly a person can be found through whom he, aroused to righteous anger, could then injure (that person) through injustice.
And whoever would like to have a steady manner of speaking and wisely present what he says, let him hold the chalcedony in his hand and warm it with his breath so that it also becomes moist from this. And then let him lick (it) with his tongue, and he will be able to speak more steadily with people.”
Rock Crystal
Recorded attributions
Hildegard described the rock crystal warmed in the sun for the eyes, as well as a water in which the stone had lain, for pain in the heart, stomach and belly.
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And whoever's eyes are darkening, let him warm the crystal in the sun, and thus warm let him often place it on the eyes. And because (its) nature is from water, it draws the bad humors from the eyes, and thus that (sick person) will see better.
But also whoever suffers pain in the heart or in the stomach or in the belly, let him warm the crystal in the sun, and over the thus warmed (stone) let him pour water, and then let him also place the crystal in this water for a short hour, and then let him take it away. And thus let him often drink that water, and it will go better for him in the heart or in the stomach or in the belly.”
Gold
Recorded attributions
Hildegard described gold as warm and of a similar nature to the sun; she attributed to it applications for gout and for fever in the stomach.
Handed down through history
Gold is warm and it has a similar nature to the sun... If a healthy person does this, it will preserve his health, and if he is sick, he will be healthy.
A person who suffers from gout should take gold... and pulverize it. Then let him take some flour and water.
Whoever has fever in the stomach, let him warm pure wine with heated gold and drink it, and the fire will leave him.”
We present these quotations as historical sources. They describe Hildegard’s view of the world – they are not a statement about the effects of our products.
Worth a visit: the Museum of the Stadtmühle. Further reading: the German-language books “Die Edelstein-Heilkunde der Hildegard von Bingen” and “Hildegard von Bingen. Heilsteine einfach anwenden” (German).
Good to know
What has come down to us from Hildegard von Bingen is a historical source — not a medical statement. Our pages and products pass this tradition on; they are no substitute for medical advice. The effects of gemstones and metals are not scientifically proven and not medically recognised — please consult a doctor or naturopath for health complaints.
From our Hildegard range
Stones and gold related to the display cases on this page.
