Radish Powder Blend

Herba Raphani pulvis cp.

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

Historical botanical drawing: Radish — Radish

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

In Hildegard's tradition, the radish powder blend was put to many uses – for strengthening, for inner cleansing and associated with the airways.

Ingredients

Radish leaf powder and fennel seed powder.

Preparation

For strengthening: mix 100 g of the radish powder blend with a pinch of rock salt. For cleansing: chop a large peeled radish and pass it through the vegetable press. For the respiratory version: bring 750 ml of wine to the boil briefly with 100 g of honey, stir 50 g of the radish powder blend into the boiling liquid, then strain and bottle it.

Note

Freshly grated horseradish can be used 1:1 with fennel powder in place of the blend. Strong, fuller-figured people usually tolerate radish particularly well.

Botanical background

The radish root contains essential oil and mustard oils credited with antimicrobial properties. An old folk remedy for gall complaints, radish is held to stimulate digestion and the flow of bile.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 231.
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. 1-89 (Rettich).

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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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