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Bingen, Hildegard of - Radish
Identifier
022676
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Hildegard von Bingen’s Physica – translated by Priscilla Throop from the Latin
Radish (retich) is more hot than cold. After it is dug up, it should be placed underground in a damp place for two or three days. This tempers its energy, so that it is much better for eating.
When it is eaten it cleanses the brain and diminishes noxious humors in the intestines.
If a strong and fat man eats radish, it cures him and cleanses him internally, but it will harm a sick, lean body.
If a sick person wishes to eat it, he should first dry it over a hot tile and reduce it to a powder. He should add salt and fennel seed, and eat it thus with bread. It purges the foulness inside him and strengthens him.
One who has much phlegm should pulverize radish in the same way. Then he should cook honey and wine and put the powder into it. When it has cooled a bit, he should drink this, with or without food. The powder purges the phlegm and the honey keeps him from becoming lean. It is thought that eating it expels a person's evil humors and stenches.
One who eats radish should eat galingale afterward. This checks the stench of his breath and does not harm him.