Medlar Fruit

Fructus Mespili

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

Historical botanical drawing: Medlar — Medlar

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

In Hildegard's tradition, the medlar was regarded as an easily digestible fruit and associated with general well-being.

Ingredients

Fruits of the common medlar (Mespilus germanica).

Preparation ¹

Medlars become soft and edible only after the first frosts; before that they are hard and astringent.

Botanical background

The medlar is an old fruit tree, once common in cottage gardens; its fruits contain tannins and pectin.

Sources & references

Ptok, Michael: Die Hildegard-Hausapotheke für die ganze Familie. St. Benno Verlag 2025. S. 142.

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.

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

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

Ingredients

Preparation 1

Botanical background

Sources & references

Preparation ¹