Wormwood and Vervain Blend (“Toothache Herbs”)

Species Absinthi et Verbena officinalis L.

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

Historical botanical drawing: Wormwood — Wormwood

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

In Hildegard's tradition, this herb blend was associated with the mouth, teeth and gums.

Ingredients

Wormwood herb and vervain (in equal parts).

Preparation

Boil 1 tbsp of the herb blend in 250 ml of wine for 3 minutes, strain it and sweeten it with cane sugar or honey. Blend: 50 g wormwood herb and 50 g vervain.

Note ⁴

With disease of the teeth or gums, dental advice is indispensable. Because of the thujone it contains, wormwood should be used sparingly and for no longer than about four weeks at a stretch; during pregnancy and breastfeeding it should be avoided altogether.

Botanical background

Wormwood counts as a versatile plant for the mucous membranes, which its bitter compounds stimulate. Vervain (Verbena officinalis) contains iridoid glycosides as well as verbascoside and verbenalin, credited with antimicrobial properties.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 278.
Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 127.
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. 1-109 (Wermut).
Heepen, Günther H.: Das Heilwissen der Hildegard von Bingen. Gräfe und Unzer Verlag 2015. S. 114.

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More preparations using Wormwood

Wormwood Wormwood Elixir Wormwood Oil Wormwood Salve

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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