Zedoary Root Elixir

Decoctum Rhizoma Zedoariae

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

Historical botanical drawing: Zedoary — Zedoary

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

In Hildegard's tradition, zedoary root elixir was associated with the nerves and inner calm.

Ingredients

Zedoary root, galangal root, honey and wine.

Preparation

Bring 55 g of cut zedoary root, 45 g of cut galangal root, 80 g of honey and 1 litre of wine briefly to the boil for 3 minutes, then strain and pour into bottles.

Note

The “nerve biscuits” (nutmeg and cinnamon biscuits) are recommended alongside; wheat products should also be replaced with spelt.

Botanical background

Zedoary root (white curcuma, Curcuma zedoaria) belongs to the ginger family. Its essential oil contains zingiberene, pinene, camphor, cineole and curcumenol; it is credited with antimicrobial and antispasmodic properties.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 285.
Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 130.
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. 1-14 (Zitwer).

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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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