Pellitory

Anacyclus pyrethrum

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

Historical botanical drawing: Pellitory — Pellitory

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

In Hildegard's tradition, pellitory was associated with digestion and mental clarity.

Ingredients

The dried root, also called toothroot, containing pungent compounds, essential oil, a high proportion of inulin and some tannin.

Note

Several different plants go by the name pellitory. German and Roman pellitory should not be confused with true pellitory, Anacyclus pyrethrum.

Botanical background

True pellitory (Anacyclus pyrethrum) belongs, like yarrow, to the daisy family and grows 10 to 30 centimetres tall. Its leaves are twice pinnately divided, and the daisy-like flower heads carry ray florets that are white above and streaked purple beneath. The name derives from the Greek word for fire, a reference to the burning, pungent taste. It grows on sunlit hillsides and dry, stony ground, ranging from the Atlas mountains through Syria as far as Nepal; in spring the root puts up a rosette of fine, feathery leaves. The part used is the dried root: hard, brittle, greyish brown and conspicuously wrinkled along its length.

Sources & references

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. 1-18.
Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014.
Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014.
Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Heilschätze. Schafgarbe, Veilchen, Galgant, Bertram. Knaur Verlag 2018.

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 Pellitory

Pellitory Powder Pellitory Tablets

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