Wormwood Oil

Insoleatum Absinthii

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, wormwood oil was associated with external use on the chest in the cold season.

Ingredients

Wormwood juice and olive oil.

Preparation

Gather and press wormwood leaves in spring at a waxing moon, before 21 June. Mix 10 ml of the freshly pressed juice with 20 ml of olive oil, stand it in sunlight in a brown medicine bottle for 10 days and then strain it.

Note ³

It can trigger an allergy — test it first on the back of the hand with a single drop and wait five minutes. Because of the olive oil it does not keep for long. 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.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 282.
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. 115.
Breindl, Ellen: Das große Gesundheitsbuch der Hl. Hildegard von Bingen. Bassermann Verlag 2004. S. 300.

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More preparations using Wormwood

Wormwood Wormwood and Vervain Blend (“Toothache Herbs”) Wormwood Elixir 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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