Observations placeholder
Bingen, Hildegard of - Zedoary (Turmeric)
Identifier
022693
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
According to Hildegard Turmeric helps with the following
- Quivering limbs [restless leg?]
- Saliva or spume
- Headaches
- Stomach distress from bad food
A description of the experience
Hildegard von Bingen’s Physica – translated by Priscilla Throop from the Latin
Zedoary (zituar) is moderately hot and contains great power. A person whose limbs quiver convulsively and who lacks strength should put zedoary, cut up, in wine. He should add a little less galingale, and cook it with a little honey. He should drink this warm. The tremor will go away, and he will recover his strength.
One who has too much saliva or spume should pulverize the zedoary and tie the powder in a small cloth. He should place this in a metallic jar with water, so that the water receives the flavor it releases during the night. He should drink it often in the morning, before breakfast, and the saliva and foaming will stop.
One whose head aches greatly will be better if he wets his forehead and temples with the same powder, wrapped in a cloth and steeped in water.
One whose stomach is very heavy, having been filled with bad food, should pulverize zedoary and make a little cake with that powder, a moderate amount of flour of the finest whole wheat, and water. He should cook it in the sun or in a nearly cold oven and then reduce it back to a powder. He should frequently lick this powder from his hand, before breakfast and when he goes to bed at night. It will take away the distress of his stomach.