Home Natural Beauty 9 Medieval Skincare Recipes with St. Hildegard’s Healing Herbs

9 Medieval Skincare Recipes with St. Hildegard’s Healing Herbs

by Andreea Laza
9 Medieval Skincare Recipes with St. Hildegard's Healing Herbs - 9Pedia.com

Looking for medieval skincare recipes that have survived throughout history using St. Hildegard’s healing herbs? Continue reading.

Since the 6th century, St. Benedict has stipulated that every monastery must have someone responsible for treating illnesses, a pavilion for the sick, and a medicinal herb garden. According to him, only good health guaranteed a free life. Monasteries, often centers of knowledge, also took on the responsibility of caring for the surrounding population’s medical needs. As a result, many nuns became the “healers” and “pharmacists” of their monasteries.

One of the few female healers known today is St. Hildegard von Bingen, who studied the healing properties of plants and documented her findings. In addition to remedies for curing illnesses, monastic medicine also includes numerous medieval skincare recipes for beauty care. Here are some of the most important “cosmetic products” found in the herb gardens of monasteries, based on St. Hildegard’s healing herbs. Let’s get to them.

9 Medieval Skincare Recipes with St. Hildegard’s Healing Herbs

1. Medieval Skincare with Chamomile

(Chamomilla matricaria)

The Latin name Chamomilla comes from a Greek word meaning “earth’s apple” In the mid-15th century, a famous book published in Leipzig, Germany, praised its virtues, describing it as a herb that “refines, thins, and has a powerful calming effect.” Just as in the past, chamomile flowers are still used today for soothing steam baths in the treatment of eczema or colds, as well as in infusions to combat stomach issues.

Medieval Chamomile Face Mask for Dry Skin

To create a soothing medieval skincare recipe for dry, flaky skin, place 10g of dried chamomile flowers into a mortar. Grind the flowers and mix them with 6 tablespoons of honey. Apply the paste to your face using a spatula or spoon, leave it on for about 15 minutes, then remove it and rinse with warm water.

2. Medieval Skincare with Hops

(Humulus lupulus)

Bishop Albertus Magnus of Regensburg writes in an article that the cone-shaped hop flowers “make the head heavy,” but he also praises their effectiveness. In the early Middle Ages, hops were primarily used in beer production, but later, pillows filled with hops appeared to help combat sleep disorders. Today, the sedative effect of hops has been scientifically tested.

Hops extract has proven to be a true skincare remedy as the tannins and vitamins it contains strengthen the hair and care for the skin (in some beauty centers in Europe, beer baths and compresses are used). Moreover, it has been discovered that hops contain phytoestrogens, which help prevent the early appearance of wrinkles.

Hops Infusion for Oily Skin

Place 2 tablespoons of hops in a strainer, pour 2 cups of boiling water over them, and let them infuse with the lid on for about 10 minutes. Then, use the warm infusion to gently blot the affected areas of the skin.

3. Medieval Recipe with Horse Chestnuts

(Aesculus hippocastanum)

In the early Middle Ages, it was believed that those who carried three horse chestnuts in their pocket were protected from illness. Bookbinders used to make a type of glue from the bitter horse chestnuts to protect paper from mold. However, the discovery that horse chestnut extracts strengthen veins, stimulate blood circulation, and relieve itching came much later.

Today, the active substances found in horse chestnut leaves, bark, and fruits are used in cosmetic products that strengthen tissue and prevent the sensation of “heavy legs.” Due to their protective effect against ultraviolet rays, horse chestnut extracts are also found in sunscreens and sun care oils.

Mask for Heavy Legs

Boil 4 tablespoons of peeled horse chestnuts in 100 ml of water for about 30 minutes. Once the chestnuts soften, crush them, and apply the resulting puree in a thin layer over the entire surface of the calves. Wrap your legs with a kitchen towel, rest them on a pillow to elevate them above the body, leave the “mask” to act for 20 minutes, and rinse with cold water.

9 Medieval Skincare Recipes with St. Hildegard's Healing Herbs - 9Pedia.com

4. Medieval Skincare with Calendula

(Calendula officinalis)

In the Middle Ages, the orange calendula/marigold flowers were not just a beloved adornment for the hair. Young women would mix dried marigold flowers with honey and vinegar, and with this ointment, they would anoint themselves before bed to dream of their lover. Hildegard von Bingen also mentioned calendula as a remedy she used along with ginger to soothe stomach pains and treat spleen disorders.

Today, natural cosmetic producers incorporate calendula extracts into nourishing face and body creams and even in ointments for wound healing because they help maintain skin hydration and provide soothing relief.

Calendula Cream for Dry Skin

Melt 100g of petroleum jelly in a small saucepan, add two handfuls of fresh or dried calendula flowers, and let it simmer until the cream turns orange. Strain the mixture, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator for use.

5. Medieval Skincare with Lemon Balm

(Melissa officinalis)

In the Middle Ages, lemon balm was considered the elixir of eternal youth. Women would wash their faces with lemon balm tea to quickly rid themselves of skin impurities. Its lemon-scented leaves were also used to treat skin conditions, sleep disorders, circulatory problems, and depression.

The most famous healing tonic of the 19th century contained lemon balm and was created by Sister Marie Clementine Martin in 1805 in Brussels. She received an annual pension of 160 gold coins, which she used to establish a company in Cologne in 1826 for her nursing work during the Battle of Waterloo, with this healing tonic. That company still produces the well-known “Klosterfrau Melissengeist” today.

This remedy is the German variation of Carmelite Water, made from alcohol, lemon balm, gentian, ginger, and cinnamon, and is used to treat colds, sensitivity to weather changes, and anger.

Lemon Balm Compress for Oily Skin

Place 6 teaspoons of dried lemon balm in a pot with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1/4 liter of white wine. Let it simmer slowly for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid, soak a linen cloth in it (warm, not hot), and apply the compress to your face for about 10 minutes.

6. Medieval Skincare with Sage

(Salvia officinalis)

In 1630, during the Great Plague epidemic, it was discovered that some thieves who robbed the corpses did not contract the deadly disease. Once caught, they were spared their lives in exchange for revealing their “secret”. Legend has it that they had rubbed themselves with sage soaked in vinegar, with added thyme, lavender, and rosemary to the mixture.

Since the Middle Ages, sage leaves were burned to banish evil spirits from rooms where severely ill people lay. Additionally, they were used to treat fevers, colds, and toothaches. Even today, antibacterial extracts from sage are used in creams for treating skin impurities, as well as in deodorants and shampoos for oily hair, because they help reduce sweating.

Sage Decoction for Oily Hair Rinse

Pour 1/4 liter of boiling water over 4 tablespoons of sage leaves, let it infuse for 10 minutes, and strain. Apply the liquid to the scalp (after washing your hair), leave it on for 5 minutes, and rinse.

7. Medieval Skincare with Arnica

(Arnica montana)

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects, arnica has been used for centuries by nuns to treat bruises and contusions. At the same time, as a stimulator of blood circulation, it was included in hair care formulations. Arnica extracts are also included in medicines for the heart and circulation, with which the famous writer Johann Wolfgang Goethe himself, used to soothe his “heart palpitations.” Over time, it has been proven that the flavonoids in arnica effectively improve blood circulation and strengthen the heart.

Lavender and Arnica Vinegar for Acne

Place 30g of lavender flower tops and 15g of arnica flowers in a liter of apple cider vinegar. Seal the jar (or bottle) tightly and keep it in a warm place for 10 days to infuse (preferably by a sunny window). Apply directly to the infected pimples with a cotton pad.

8. Medieval Skincare with Speedwell

(Veronica officinalis)

Speedwell and its close relatives in the Veronica genus were valued in medieval and monastic medicine for their purported healing properties. They were commonly brewed into teas or infusions to improve general health and vitality as they were thought to strengthen the body and help with convalescence after illness. Speedwell was applied topically as a poultice to treat wounds, sores, and skin inflammations as it was believed to promote healing and prevent infections.

Tonic Face Water for Oily and Impure Skin

Place a handful of speedwell, a handful of rosemary, and half a handful of grated marshmallow root into a glass jar. Cover the herbs with a mixture of 70 ml pure alcohol and 70 ml distilled water, ensuring the herbs are well submerged. Seal the jar and store it in a cool place for a few days. Check occasionally to ensure there is enough liquid and top up with distilled water if necessary.

After 8 days, strain the liquid through cheesecloth, transfer it into an amber bottle, and store it in the refrigerator. Soak a cotton pad in the liquid and gently wipe your face, neck, and décolletage daily. This medieval tonic provides quick cleansing and rejuvenating effects for the skin.

9. Medieval Skincare with Plantain

(Plantago major)

In medieval and monastic medicine, plantain was highly valued for its versatile healing properties, especially for wound healing due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties. This magical herb in St. Hildegard’s healing medicine is celebrated for its ability to soothe inflammation, promote wound healing, and support respiratory health. Plantain’s widespread use made it a staple in monastic herbal gardens, prized for its healing versatility.

Plantain Poultice for Skin Injuries

Collect a few fresh plantain leaves, as they contain a natural antibiotic with powerful healing properties, effective for treating wounds, lesions, and even insect bites. Wash the leaves and crush them with a pestle or a bottle until they begin to release their juice. Apply the leaves to the injury and secure them with a bandage. The poultice should be changed every two hours.

Read Also: St. Hildegard’s 12 Healing Crystals for The Soul

Incorporating the healing wisdom of St. Hildegard’s magical herbs and trying these medieval skincare recipes for yourself can help you tap into the natural benefits of medieval remedies. From soothing plantain poultices to arnica skin tonics, these medieval skincare recipes offer time-tested solutions for various skin concerns. Embrace the power of medieval skincare and unlock the ancient secrets of St. Hildegard’s healing herbs for healthier, rejuvenated skin.

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9 Medieval Skincare Recipes with St. Hildegard's Healing Herbs - 9Pedia.com

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