Columbine Leaf Tincture

Succus Aquilegia vulgaris L.

Historical tradition – not medical advice, and no health or healing claims. more

Historical botanical drawing: Columbine — Columbine

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

In Hildegard's tradition, columbine leaf tincture was associated with the lymphatic system and the glands of the neck.

Ingredients

Fresh columbine plant, extracted in alcohol (58 % vol.) and preserved according to method 3a of the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (HAB).

Preparation

To make your own, pour 100 ml of high-proof food-grade alcohol over 50 g of young columbine leaves harvested before flowering. Stand the jar in the sun by day and indoors overnight for eight days, then filter.

Note

At the traditional dosage the application was considered well tolerated. Traditionally it was accompanied by gentle massage with violet cream.

Botanical background

It is striking that Hildegard already described minute disease-causing creatures (“pediculi”) — an image often linked today with the widespread Epstein-Barr virus. In traditional herbal lore, columbine is said to have blood-cleansing properties.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 29.
Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 15.
Hildegard von Bingen: Heilsame Schöpfung. Die natürliche Wirkkraft der Dinge (Physica). Hrsg. von der Abtei St. Hildegard, Eibingen. Beuroner Kunstverlag 2012 (4. Auflage 2024). Cap. 1-132 (Akelei).
Breindl, Ellen: Das große Gesundheitsbuch der Hl. Hildegard von Bingen. Bassermann Verlag 2004. S. 156.

The text of this entry is an independent summary in our own words, based on the works listed – not a verbatim reproduction. The page and chapter references document where the content comes from. A superscript number on a section heading points to the work that section follows. All rights to the original works remain with their authors and publishers.

More preparations using Columbine

Columbine Columbine Honey Columbine Wine

Historical tradition. The above describes how this preparation was recorded and used in the tradition of Hildegard of Bingen. This is cultural-historical information, not medical advice and not a health or healing claim, and it is no substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. If you have health complaints, please consult your doctor or pharmacy.

‹ Back to the encyclopaedia