Intermittent Fasting Combined with Hildegard Fasting: Similarities and Differences

Fasting is experiencing a remarkable renaissance in our time – but not every form of fasting is the same. While intermittent fasting originates from modern nutritional science and is primarily known for its timing structure, Hildegard fasting is rooted in over 800 years of monastic medical experience. Both approaches share the idea that consciously limiting or shaping food intake can benefit the body and soul – yet their philosophy, tools, and depth could hardly be more different. Those interested in natural medicine rightly ask: Are these two paths mutually exclusive, or can they be meaningfully combined? This article examines both fasting methods from historical, cultural, and practical perspectives – and shows where bridges can be built.

What is Hildegard Fasting? The Roots in Monastic Medicine

Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) was one of the most important universal scholars of the Middle Ages: abbess, mystic, composer, and natural scientist all in one. Her medical work, especially the writings Physica and Causae et Curae, formed an important foundation of European monastic medicine for centuries. For Hildegard, fasting was not merely a physical process but a holistic ritual that addressed body, soul, and spirit equally. Hildegard von Bingen products In her view, moderation – the so-called discretio – was the mother of all virtues, and fasting was considered one of the purest expressions of this virtue.

Hildegard fasting does not primarily focus on the timing restriction of meals but on the quality and composition of the food consumed. Hildegard made a clear distinction between foods she recommended as wholesome and those she believed harmed people. Spelt, for example, held a prominent place in her teachings: she described it as the nourishing grain that, according to her historical belief, strengthens and builds up the human being. Herbs also played a central role – not as decoration but as consciously used companions on the fasting path. Wormwood, fennel, anacyclus, and many other plants were historically described by her for their special properties and are still valued in monastic medicine today.

Traditionally, Hildegard fasting follows a clear rhythm often aligned with church fasting periods – especially during Advent and Lent before Easter. Typically, certain foods are omitted or reduced for a set period, accompanied by herbal teas, conscious prayer or meditation, and physical stillness. The spiritual framework is not an optional add-on but a core component: fasting without inner reflection was only half the matter for Hildegard. This connection of body and soul makes Hildegard fasting a deeply holistic approach that fundamentally differs from purely calorie-focused methods.

“Whoever fasts without discernment fasts in vain. The right measure is the foundation of all health.” – Paraphrased from Hildegard of Bingen, Causae et Curae, 12th century

Intermittent Fasting: Modern Rhythm with Ancient Roots

Intermittent fasting – often called “Intermittent Fasting” or IF in English – describes various nutritional concepts based on a structured alternation between eating and fasting phases. The most well-known variants are the 16:8 method (16 hours fasting, 8 hours eating), the 5:2 method (5 days normal eating, 2 days heavily reduced), and the so-called Eat-Stop-Eat principle with full fasting days. Fasting products Unlike classic diets, intermittent fasting does not specify what to eat – the focus is solely on when.

What is considered a modern invention today actually has very old predecessors. Almost all world religions and cultures have fasting traditions: Ramadan in Islam, Yom Kippur fasting in Judaism, the Christian fasting season – all involve time-limited food abstinence. Intermittent fasting takes up this ancient principle and dresses it in a contemporary, everyday-friendly form. For many people, it is attractive because it can be relatively easily integrated into work life: simply skip breakfast, drink water, herbal tea, or black coffee, and start the eating phase at noon.

Important for those interested in natural medicine is the realization that intermittent fasting does not come with a spiritual or herbal medicinal framework. It is initially a timing concept without philosophical depth. This is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage – but it means that many people practicing IF unconsciously seek a meaningful complement. This is exactly where the interesting question arises: What happens if you combine the structured timing logic of intermittent fasting with the herbal wisdom and holistic nature of Hildegard fasting?

Intermittent fasting determines the when of eating – Hildegard fasting determines the what and the why. Together, they form a concept that unites structure and depth.

Commonalities: Where Both Paths Touch

At first glance, intermittent fasting and Hildegard fasting seem worlds apart – one modern and scientific, the other traditional and spiritual. But on closer inspection, surprisingly many points of contact emerge. Both methods emphasize the importance of conscious pauses – the idea that the body needs times of rest and emptiness to recover and realign itself, according to traditional belief. This fundamental conviction is found both in Hildegard’s discretio and in the modern concept of fasting windows.

Another common denominator is the rejection of constant eating. Both intermittent fasting and Hildegard fasting reject constant snacking and the permanent preoccupation with food. Hildegard explicitly warned against gluttony and recommended eating no more than necessary – an attitude that easily aligns with the principle of clearly limited eating windows. BitterKraft Original Awareness of one’s own reaction to food – whether it nourishes or burdens – is also central in both traditions.

Herbal teas as accompanying elements also connect both worlds. Those who practice intermittent fasting often turn to herbal teas during the fasting phase because they are low in calories yet flavorful. In Hildegard fasting, certain herbal teas – from fennel, wormwood, lemon balm, or yarrow – have been traditionally known for centuries and were explicitly mentioned by Hildegard in her writings. These herbs are still valued in monastic medicine and can pleasantly accompany the fasting period. Their full compatibility with the modern IF context makes them a natural link between both approaches.

Traditionally valued fasting herbs according to Hildegard of Bingen:

Hildegard recommended a number of medicinal plants in her writings that have a long history in monastic medicine. Fennel was considered especially soothing and is still traditionally used as tea. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) was described by Hildegard as a potent bitter herb and has been known in European herbal tradition for centuries as a companion during fasting. Lemon balm was valued as a calming herb for body and mind. Yarrow was a versatile companion in monastic medicine. All these plants can traditionally be used as teas during fasting – both in Hildegard fasting and IF.

Finally, both methods share the principle of regularity. Fasting as a one-time action has significantly less effect according to both traditional and modern views than a lived, recurring rhythm. Hildegard described fasting as a seasonal practice, while IF recommends daily or weekly repetition. The rhythm principle – alternating abundance and emptiness – seems familiar to the human organism for millennia and is culturally universal.

Both fasting methods emphasize rhythm as a key principle: phases of food intake consciously alternate with phases of pause – a wisdom deeply rooted in human history.

Differences: Where the Paths Diverge

As many commonalities as the two approaches share, their differences are at least as revealing. Perhaps the most fundamental difference lies in the spiritual dimension. Hildegard fasting is inseparably linked to Hildegard’s Christian-mystical worldview. For her, fasting was an act of relationship with God, inner purification, and soul care. This depth is naturally absent in intermittent fasting – it is functionally designed and deliberately leaves the question of the meaning of fasting open. Those who want to combine both should be aware that this spiritual framework in Hildegard fasting is not optional but constitutive.

Another essential difference concerns food selection. Intermittent fasting makes no specifications about what is consumed during the eating phase – theoretically, fast food is just as allowed as raw food. Hildegard fasting, on the other hand, is highly specific: spelt products are central, certain types of meat and fish are recommended, others rejected; raw food and certain vegetables are considered hard to digest and avoided. Hildegard had a precise assessment for almost every food – a level of detail that simply does not exist in modern IF practice. Hildegard von Bingen products

Time structure is another dividing point. Intermittent fasting is defined by precise time windows: 16 hours fasting, 8 hours eating – measurable by the clock. Hildegard fasting, by contrast, is less bound to clock times and more to seasons, church calendars, and inner readiness. A Hildegard fast during Lent follows different principles than a 16:8 method on an average Wednesday. This different orientation in time – clock time versus season and life rhythm – reflects two fundamentally different worldviews.

These traditional Hildegard herbs accompany fasting:

• Anacyclus (Anacyclus pyrethrum): One of the most frequently mentioned spice herbs by Hildegard, traditionally known and valued in monastic medicine for centuries as part of herbal mixtures.
• Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium): The “queen of bitter herbs” was extensively described by Hildegard; historically known in European herbal tradition as a companion during fasting. BitterKraft Original
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Hildegard explicitly praised fennel in her writings; it is still traditionally used as tea during fasting periods.
• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): Known in monastic medicine for centuries as a calming herb traditionally valued in times of stillness and reflection.
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): A classic monastic herb mentioned by Hildegard in her herbal book and traditionally prepared as tea in the fasting context.
• Nettle (Urtica dioica): Historically known as a nutrient-rich wild plant and valued in Central European folk medicine for generations as a spring and fasting herb.

The social and communal framework also differs greatly between the two methods. Hildegard fasting was traditionally embedded in the life of a monastic community – shared prayer, communal grace, shared silence. This community dimension is hardly present in intermittent fasting; it is a deeply individual practice that takes place unnoticed in everyday life. Those who want to experience Hildegard fasting in its original form can find corresponding offers today in some monasteries and specialized fasting retreats.

Combining Both Approaches: A Practical Guide for Everyday Life

The good news for everyone who feels addressed by both methods: you don’t have to choose. A meaningful combination is possible – if you know the respective strengths and connect them respectfully. The most practical approach is to use the timing structure of intermittent fasting as an outer framework and fill it with the content recommendations and herbal wisdom of Hildegard fasting. This means concretely: limit eating phases to a certain time window (about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), but consciously choose foods within this phase according to Hildegard’s recommendations – spelt instead of wheat, carefully selected vegetables, little raw food, natural fats.

During the fasting phase – that is, outside the eating window – traditional Hildegard herbal teas offer a soothing companion. A tea made from fennel, lemon balm, or wormwood is low in calories and thus compatible with the basic principles of IF; at the same time, it brings Hildegard’s herbal medicinal tradition into modern everyday life. Fasting products Those who wish can consciously make tea preparation a small ritual – heating water, steeping herbs, pausing briefly – thus letting the spiritual quality of Hildegard fasting resonate even in a fast-paced daily routine.

For beginners, a gradual approach is recommended: start in the first week by trying intermittent fasting with a simple 14:10 rhythm. From the second week, add a Hildegard herbal tea in the morning as a start to the day. In the third week, consciously align nutrition within the eating phase with Hildegard’s recommendations – more spelt, seasonal vegetables, herbs as spices. This gradual integration prevents overwhelm and allows both body and mind to adjust to the new rhythm.

A combination of IF and Hildegard fasting can unite the best of both worlds: the clear timing structure of the modern approach with the herbal medicinal depth and meaningfulness of medieval monastic medicine.

“Nature is God’s pharmacy” – this thought often attributed to Hildegard summarizes the fundamental attitude of monastic medicine: to understand plants and their diversity as a gift to be used consciously and gratefully.

Those who want to experience the combination of both methods in a more intensive form can embed it in the classic fasting periods – for example, the four weeks before Easter or the Advent season. Here, a natural external framework arises that supports the inner practice and gives fasting a communal and seasonal dimension very close to Hildegard’s original idea. Fasting support from an experienced naturopath or a specialist in monastic medicine can be helpful to find one’s own path and recognize possible intolerances early. Hildegard von Bingen products

In conclusion, intermittent fasting and Hildegard fasting are not competitors but complements. One offers form, the other content. One comes from the present, the other from a tradition tested and passed down over centuries. Those open to bringing these two streams together in their personal fasting journey may find exactly the combination of everyday practicality and deep meaning that many people seek today – a practice that considers not only the body but addresses the whole person in their complexity. all Bitterkraft products