Hildegard von Bingen's Physica: The Complete English Translation of Her Classic Work on Health and Healing Hardcover – September 1, 1998

The people who are complaining that this book is not useful and is out of date are hilarious! This is LITERALLY a medieval historical text. Do your research people.

For a book written by a nun in 1100, This a better then most healthcare today. Her herbal knowledge is outstanding. She knew lead was poisonous and even about unwhole wheat. With a few exceptions of what food is edible or not, this book stands up to herbal scrutiny and can be paired with any TCM apothecary book. As far as crystal healing, I would be more apt to believe her over the superfluous charlatans of today. On a personal note I was glad to have my love of spelt, emeralds, diamonds and amethyst be justified. I do wonder what was going on in 1100 that eggs weren't edible. Were their chickens diseased?Please keep in mind at this time, if you were sick, the "doctors" would have given you leaches or just slit your wrists to let out the "Bad blood". Hildegard was actually making complex medicine from herbs and healing people. So be kind when you read her books and forgiving of how we now understand how natural things are made in our planet.

Exceptionally interesting! Properties of various forms of food, minerals, etc. divinely revealed to this phenomenally gifted woman of God. Her insights have been verified by modern medical practitioners even though she was not a doctor! Intriguing information about foods and herbs and things, that have been substantiated by modern science, even though these revelations are 1,000 years old! A must-have for any serious student of aromatherapy (essential oils), or other type of alternative medicine practitioner.

Great book for those looking for insight into health properties in natural products. It warned to stay away from lead products (vases, water pipes) .They were used extensively till modern times when their true nature was discovered........ (lead toy soldiers for kids!!! Wish my parents had known!).

Before we begin, this book is not meant for modern practitioners of herbal medicines. If you are looking for recipes and how-tos, this is NOT the book for you. It is written for the audiences of the Middle Ages. These recipes and suggestions are not appropriate to modern usage, some could be potentially poisonous to the patient.For modern scholars, it gives us an insight into the thoughts on and healing practices of the day. Von Bingen examines Humorism and the aspects of other plants, minerals, and animal and how they apply to remedies. Like many medieval works on health and healing, it is part religion, part observation, and part magic and whimsy (e.g., unicorn horns - though these could be represented by Narwhal horns).As stated before, when looking for healing recipes and herbal facts, modern practitioners of the healing arts should be VERY cautious in applying any recipes found in these old texts. Not all of them are safe and if making use of animal parts, some may not be legal.Other works that students may find interesting:Medieval Herbal Remedies: The Old English Herbarium and Anglo-Saxon MedicineLeechcraft: Early English Charms, Plantlore and HealingMedieval Herbals: The Illustrative Traditions (The British Library Studies in Medieval Culture)The Trotula: An English Translation of the Medieval Compendium of Women's Medicine (The Middle Ages Series)This book a nice translation of one of Hildegard von Bingen's works.

This book was a treasure trove of interesting facts, useful information, and entertaining lore. If you are a Hildegard fan but haven't read this you should love it. I am interested in all the above and it has it all. It is a bit like a treasure hunt to find the nuggets of useful herbology but it's a fun hunt. Griffins and unicorns are even mentioned.

I find it... interesting in a curious sort of way. I can't abide by using it for sound medical knowledge in modern age, but it is intriguing to learn of a different time and way of thought in regard to medical practice of the sort of that time--medieval. It's an odd read, but kind of neat if you are simply a curious person. I am so I figured I'd love it. But the way it read was a little jarring. Maybe I will take another stab at it. hahaSo my rating is middle of the road, "its ok".

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!!!