Illumination on a gold ground: Hildegard von Bingen writes on wax tablets as flames touch her head; one monk looks through the opening, another holds a book

The Teachings of Hildegard von Bingen

Handed down through history

There are many ways to approach and get to know Hildegard von Bingen. The best-known gateway is her medicine, which is based on the Christian doctrine of balancing virtues and vices and the principle of moderation in all things. On this page you can read what has been handed down of this teaching – from the six golden rules of life to her view of humanity in the cosmos.

The six golden rules of life

The inherited body of knowledge encompasses a multitude of precise instructions for nutrition, the preparation of medicinal herbs and the application of valuable elixirs. Stones and music also have a firm place in her work. The six rules Hildegard formulated as a guide are presented here as a teaching of the twelfth century.

Medieval miniature on a gold ground: a human figure with outstretched arms stands at the centre of concentric circles, embraced by a red figure; at lower left a seated figure writes — The human being standing at the centre of the cosmic circle with arms outstretched

The powers of nature

Hildegard teaches that for their health people should look above all to the powers of nature: in her account, life energy is drawn from experiencing nature and from what it provides.
Food as the foundation

According to Hildegard’s teaching, food should be the foundation for a healthy life. Particular attention, she says, is due to the “subtlety” – the useful, subtle forces of nourishment.
Balance between sleeping and waking

According to her teaching, sleeping, waking and exercise should always stand in a balanced proportion to one another.
A healthy balance: Ora et labora

According to her teaching, there should be a healthy balance between work and leisure, following the Benedictine rule: “Ora et labora” – pray and work.
Cleansing the body

The historical teaching also includes cleansing the body – Hildegard describes fasting, bloodletting and cupping for this purpose. We present these practices as a twelfth-century tradition, not as advice for today.
Strengthening the powers of the soul

Hildegard advises recognising one’s own shadow sides (vices) and countering them with virtues.

Handed down through history

Humanity in the cosmos

Hildegard views the human being standing at the centre of the cosmic circle with arms outstretched. The elements, the winds, the constellations and all creatures are directed towards humanity; the cosmic forces send their rays to them: in her vision, the cosmos is God’s work for humanity. The world circle is embraced by God’s love, Caritas, which says:

Photograph of the sun: a glowing orange-red sphere against dark space — Hildegard von Bingen

Hildegard sees humanity as the crown of creation – yet she writes impressively in her visionary work “Liber divinorum operum” (The Book of Divine Works):

Garden with planted beds, a wooden bench and a small information board under a blue sky — Hildegard von Bingen, Liber divinorum operum

Her writings can give guidance in all phases of life and in the urgent concerns of the present day. For Hildegard, it is beyond question that humanity is responsible for nature through its actions. She writes unmistakably in the “Liber vitae meritorum” (Book of Life’s Merits):

Illumination on a gold ground: Hildegard von Bingen writes with a stylus on a wax tablet as flames touch her head; one monk looks through the opening, another holds a book — Hildegard von Bingen, Liber vitae meritorum

We relate these quotations as historical sources. They describe Hildegard’s view of the world – they are not a statement about the effects of our products.

The legacy

In times of climate crisis, these texts are more relevant than ever before. The surviving correspondence with clergy, emperors, bishops and the Pope gives an impression of the great personality of this strong woman, who served as a counsellor and mentor to all.

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Abbey of St. Hildegard

The abbey dedicates itself to Hildegard’s theological work to this day.
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Hildegard Museum

Research into Hildegard’s life path lies in the hands of the Hildegard Museum.
Konstanz on Lake Constance

Dr. Hertzka & Dr. Strehlow

In Konstanz, Dr. Gottfried Hertzka pioneered the translation of the medical writings. Dr. Wighard Strehlow continues this work to this day and has documented and passed it on over decades.

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.