Hart's-Tongue Elixir

Decoctum Asplenii scolopendriae cp.

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

Historical botanical drawing: Hart's — Hart's

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

A widely valued preparation in Hildegard's tradition, associated with the airways, the liver and the glands and — in exhaustion — with strengthening.

Ingredients

Hart's-tongue fern herb, wine, honey, cinnamon bark and long pepper.

Preparation

Boil hart's-tongue fern herb in 2 litres of wine, add 150 g (8 tbsp) of honey and bring it back to the boil. Add the cinnamon and long pepper, boil once more, strain and bottle while hot. Spice mixture: 12 g hart's-tongue fern herb, 40 g cinnamon bark, 10 g long pepper.

Note

According to Hildegard, the liver is closely connected with the lungs.

Botanical background

Hart's-tongue fern contains immune-supporting mucilage polysaccharides, tannins and bioflavonoids. Long pepper is credited, via its pungent and mustard oils, with gland-stimulating properties; cinnamon is considered antimicrobial and contains plant hormones.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 141.
Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 66.
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. 1-30 (Hirschzunge).
Heepen, Günther H.: Das Heilwissen der Hildegard von Bingen. Gräfe und Unzer Verlag 2015. S. 80.

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More preparations using Hart's

Hart's-tongue fern Hart's-Tongue Fern Powder

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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