01/23/2026
A mystic, a composer, and a doctor: Hildegard of Bingen’s medical secrets were buried for 800 years. Now, scientists are rediscovering her genius.
Hildegard of Bingen lived from 1098 to 1179 AD. She was a German Benedictine nun who made significant contributions to medicine.
She authored important works like *Causae et curae* (Causes and Cures) and *Physica* (Natural Medicine). 📜
In these texts, she meticulously documented herbal remedies, holistic health strategies, and her keen anatomical observations.
Within the walls of her monastery, Hildegard dedicated herself to the role of infirmarian.
She compassionately treated a wide array of people, including monks, pilgrims, and members of the local communities. 🌱
Her healing methods addressed everything from common injuries and diseases to persistent chronic conditions, often relying on carefully selected plants.
While her contributions were pioneering for a woman of her time, Hildegard also creatively synthesized existing medical knowledge from Greek, Roman, and notable Islamic scholars like Avicenna.
It's also noted that other figures, such as Gilbertus Anglicus with his *Compendium of Medicine*, were making advancements in medicine during that era.
Hildegard distinguished herself as a significant female voice in the largely male-dominated field of medieval European medicine.
Her unique approach skillfully combined physical treatments using natural remedies with considerations for spiritual well-being.
The practices she documented had a lasting influence on the development of monastic medicine and played a part in making medical knowledge more accessible beyond elite scholars.
Sources: Causae et curae, Medieval Monastery Records, National Catholic Register, Mostly Medieval
