Hildegard Von Bingen's Physica: The Complete English Translation of Her Classic Work on Health and Healing

by Hildegard of Bingen

Book Overview

One of two major medical treatises by medieval healer Hildegard von Bingen, presented in its entirety for the first time in English during the 900th anniversary of her birth. * A seminal text in the development of Western herbal medicine * Presents nine categories of healing systems--Plants, Elements, Trees, Stones, Fish, Birds, Animals, Reptiles, and Metals--and elaborates on their medicinal use * Closely related to Eastern medical approaches that...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892816619
• ISBN13: 9780892816613
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Beautiful

Priscilla Throop's fine translation of Hildegard's PHYSICA is an exacting, heart-felt treasure, valuable to scholars and laymen alike. With this, and her more recent translation of Hildegard's CAUSES AND CURES, today's reader gets a clear view of Hildegard's scientific, medical world.

BABS Bakery dedicated to Hildegard von Bingens works

www.babsbakery.com http://www.babsbakery.com/hildegard.html List of suggested Hildegard books to read: Hildegard von Bingen's PHYSICA, Translated from the Latin by, Priscilla Throop includes 'nine-books' of healing systems while elaborating on how to prepare and apply various remedies. A correlation with Oriental medical approaches recognizes an enormous truth to the theories that are effective today. A busy life can lead to a busy disease, so in taking time to understand how to assist a busy life, as well as understanding healing work from the spirit first, in a great respect for God-given balancing. Karan Schneider, PhD., MS., BBA, GC-C, CH-C, SC-C -Founder BABS Bakery. www.babsbakery.com

Interesting, but challenging

I have tried to use this book once or twice. One of the things that still make me giggle is using lion's ears to combat deafness. Then I remembered all these animal body-parts that are still being harvested for their medical qualities that are bringing the animals into extinction -- like is the case with the rhinoceros and the shark. So I stop giggling and stick to the plant sections. The recipes that Hildegard uses are sometimes hard to do because I simply have no idea what some of the plants she uses are. She also uses wine a lot, which is new to me. I come from a tea tradition, so boiling things in wine is a true novelty. Maybe this is why I have not used it much since it can be very different from what I know. On the other hand, it has provided me wonderful new experiences in the herbal work! I have not used the mineral section yet, and only stuck to the plant section. At the very least, it is a fascinating treatise on medieval medicine. I do recommend it!

Engaging, Historical Compendium

From herbal treatments to stone power, Hildegard covers it all in this excellent translation by Priscilla Throop. Anyone interested in the holistic and deep level personhood approach of Hildegard (she was much more than her music) will count this book as essential to their collection. Hildegard as theologian, philosopher, musician, and natural healer can all be seen in Physica. Enjoy!!!

a contribution to the study of medieval medicine

Ms.Throop provides a learned introduction to Hildegard and a fluent translation of an important medical text.Scholars and interested laymen will benefit from her efforts. Michael T.Walton,Ph.D.