Customer Reviews

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

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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!

This book is very interesting as other reviewers noted. The biggest issue I have with it is the poor translation of Christian themes (natural to a work written by a nun of the 12th century). Where the word "demon" is used in the original text, the translator, Priscilla Throop, renders it as "airy spirit". And yes, there is a big difference between an "airy spirit" and a demon. Consider which one you would want in your bedroom at night. Yes, there is a difference. This makes me wonder what else Throop is twisting to fit her own worldview instead of simply giving us Hildegard's writings in common English.

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.

From what I had read concerning this book and other works of Hildegarde's, I had assumed that it would be useful for one interested in herbal medicine. Though I fondly smiled at remedies involving unicorn horn, and at cautions about avoiding the meat of the gryphon, I was very disappointed that there were no useful ideas, for all that I respect the skill of the medieval herbalists. Entries are merely Hildegard's description of a plant or animal and its humours.

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!!!

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.

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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