Dog Rose Elixir

Decoctum Rosae caninae

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

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

In Hildegard's tradition, dog rose elixir was associated with the airways and the lungs.

Ingredients

Dog rose hips and leaves, honey and wine.

Preparation

Boil 75 g of dog rose hips and leaves with 150 g of honey in 750 ml of wine for 5 minutes, strain and bottle.

Botanical background

Rose hips contain fatty seed oil, tannins, protein and vitamins A and C. The leaves contain the natural dye quercetin, credited with antioxidant properties. According to Hildegard, the elixir serves to cleanse and strengthen the lungs.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 137.
Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 64.
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. 1-22 (Rose).
Breindl, Ellen: Das große Gesundheitsbuch der Hl. Hildegard von Bingen. Bassermann Verlag 2004. S. 266.

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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.

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