Getting Rid of Water Retention: Natural Approaches from Hildegard Medicine

Heavy legs in the evening, swollen ankles, or a puffy face in the morning – many people know this unpleasant feeling, which is often associated with water retention in the tissues. In today’s hectic world, many quickly turn to chemical remedies without realizing that monastic medicine has held an impressive repertoire of herbal knowledge for over 800 years. Hildegard of Bingen, Benedictine abbess and one of the most important natural healers of the Middle Ages, described numerous plants, spices, and lifestyle habits in her writings that are still valued today in holistic natural medicine. This article takes you on a journey into the herbal knowledge of Hildegard medicine and shows which traditional approaches have accompanied people for centuries in supporting physical balance and overall well-being. Hildegard von Bingen products

What lies behind the feeling of heaviness and fullness?

Water retention – medically known as edema – occurs when fluid leaks from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissue and remains there. This is a natural process that is part of life to some extent. It becomes problematic when the balance appears permanently disturbed and well-being is noticeably impaired. Prolonged sitting or standing, warm temperatures, hormonal fluctuations, a one-sided diet, or lack of exercise are common everyday factors that can promote this feeling. It is important to note: persistent or severe swelling should always be medically examined, as it can indicate serious illnesses.

In Hildegard medicine, the phenomenon of water accumulation in the body was primarily viewed through the concept of the “four humors.” According to this ancient idea, which goes back to Hippocrates and was spiritually and theologically further developed by Hildegard, all bodily processes are based on the balance of the four bodily fluids – blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. An excess of “phlegm” was considered the cause of heaviness, sluggishness, and also excess moisture in the tissues. This concept may sound metaphorical from a modern perspective, but the practical approach behind it – promoting balance through diet, herbs, and life rhythm – is remarkably contemporary.

Hildegard of Bingen described in her main work “Physica” and in “Causae et Curae” a variety of plants and spices traditionally associated with lightness, warmth, and inner balance. The medieval idea that warmth and dryness help the body release excess finds echoes today in some natural medicine traditions. Those who regard Hildegard medicine as a living source discover a holistic lifestyle – far more than just the use of individual herbs. Hildegard von Bingen products

Hildegard medicine understands the human body as a unity of body, soul, and spirit – and considers the balance of the internal “humors” as the foundation for general well-being. This principle has accompanied monastic medicine for over 800 years.

Hildegard’s herbal knowledge: Traditionally valued herbs for lightness and balance

Hildegard’s herbal knowledge is a treasure still used today by naturopaths, natural medicine practitioners, and herbal educators worldwide. Hildegard described plants not only by their external characteristics but also assigned qualities such as warmth, cold, dryness, and moisture – a classification system derived from ancient humoral pathology and spiritually supplemented by her. Plants considered “warm and dry” were traditionally used to balance excess moisture in the body and promote a feeling of lightness. These traditions are not medical recommendations today but are extraordinarily valuable as cultural-historical heritage.

Particularly interesting is that many of the plants and spices described by Hildegard still play a role in modern phytotherapy – naturally without adopting the old healing promises but within the framework of their traditional use. The use of fennel, lovage, parsley, or juniper appears both in medieval monastery recipes and in modern herbal teas and natural preparations. This continuity shows that empirical plant knowledge has been passed down through generations and maintains its firm place in natural medicine. BitterKraft Original

Hildegard herself wrote about many plants in language full of imagery and spiritual depth. She recommended not only the plant itself but also the right time, the proper preparation, and the inner state of the person. This holistic approach is perhaps the most valuable legacy of her thinking: herbs unfold their potential not in isolation but in the context of a conscious, moderate life.

“Fennel, no matter how it is eaten, makes a person cheerful, gives pleasant warmth, and brings good sweat and good digestion.” – Hildegard of Bingen, Physica (12th century), chapter on fennel

Traditionally valued medicinal plants for feelings of heaviness and fullness:

• Lovage (Levisticum officinale): One of the central plants in Hildegard medicine, traditionally cultivated in monastery gardens for centuries. In folk medicine, lovage has long been used to support well-being in cases of heaviness and fullness.
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Especially valued by Hildegard and classified as “warm and dry.” Fennel has been traditionally used for centuries as tea or spice and is known in monastic medicine for its warming qualities.
• Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): Widely used in the Middle Ages and described in Hildegard’s tradition as a strengthening kitchen herb. Parsley root and seeds were historically mentioned in connection with lightness and the feeling of inner balance.
• Juniper (Juniperus communis): Hildegard attributed special warmth to juniper. The berries and wood of juniper were traditionally used in monastic medicine and are considered classic herbs of European natural medicine.
• Nettle (Urtica dioica): Although Hildegard described nettle less explicitly than other plants, it has been a fixed part of European herbal knowledge for centuries. Traditionally, it is associated with freshness and the pursuit of inner purity. Gut and digestion products
• Galangal (Alpinia officinarum): Hildegard’s “favorite spice” – used by her in numerous recipes and described as an extremely valuable medicinal plant. Galangal was considered a universal heart remedy and heat carrier in medieval monastic medicine.

What is behind lovage?

Lovage – also called “Maggi herb” – is one of Central Europe’s oldest cultivated plants and a symbol of monastery garden culture. The plant contains essential oils that give it its characteristic spicy aroma. In traditional folk medicine and historical herbal books, it regularly appears in connection with the desire for lightness and inner balance. In Hildegard medicine, lovage is used both as tea and as a spice in cooking – fully in line with Hildegard’s conviction that nutrition and herbs belong inseparably together.

Nutrition and life rhythm according to Hildegard: More than just herbs

Hildegard of Bingen’s approach was never reduced to individual herbs. On the contrary: the heart of her medicine was “Viriditas” – the divine life force nourished by a moderate, conscious lifestyle. Her dietary recommendations, detailed in “Causae et Curae,” include certain grains, vegetables, spices, and methods of food preparation. Spelt held a special place: Hildegard praised it as the most nutritious and digestible grain that strengthens people internally. From a modern perspective, a fiber-rich, whole-food diet can indeed help support overall well-being. Fasting products

Especially interesting in the context of water retention are Hildegard’s recommendations for certain diuretic vegetables and herbs in daily cooking. Onions, leeks, and garlic appear in her writings, as do recommendations for warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and the already mentioned galangal. The idea behind this: those who consume warming, invigorating foods daily support their inner balance – a concept also found in Ayurvedic medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This cross-cultural parallel shows that holistic nutritional wisdom belongs to universal human experiences.

Hildegard also emphasized the importance of moderation and rhythm: overeating, too little exercise, lack of sleep, or excessive stress – all of these disturbed the inner balance and promoted the buildup of “bad humors,” according to her belief. Modern lifestyle medicine would largely agree: regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and conscious nutrition are today considered pillars of well-being. Hildegard medicine formulated these insights in its own medieval-spiritual language – striking a chord that remains alive today. Sleep and relaxation products

Hildegard of Bingen never saw nutrition merely as a means of satiation but as daily care for the inner life force – a concept that finds its counterpart in modern nutritional medicine as a holistic approach.

Hildegard’s spelt kitchen and the principle of warmth:

In Hildegard medicine, the so-called “heat therapy” through food plays a central role. Warming spices like galangal, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are said to support the body’s internal warmth and thus accompany the organism’s natural regulatory processes. Combined with spelt as a base grain and plenty of fresh vegetables, this creates a diet considered particularly balanced in monastic medicine. This cuisine can easily be integrated into everyday life today – as a conscious complement, not a substitute for medical measures.

Practical rituals and applications from monastic medicine

Hildegard medicine is rich in concrete rituals that go far beyond simply taking herbs. Hildegard recommended regular healing fasting phases – the so-called “Hildegard cure” – as a way to renew the body internally and restore the balance of the humors. These multi-day fasting phases were traditionally combined with certain herbal teas, wine-herb infusions, and light physical activity. The idea behind this: through targeted food reduction and accompanying herbal use, the body should be given the opportunity to cleanse and regulate itself. Fasting products

A special element of Hildegard’s practice is the herbal teas and infusions tailored to the time of day and the complaint. For example, Hildegard recommended fennel tea in the morning for invigoration, lemon balm tea in the evening for calming, and juniper infusions to support internal warmth. This ritualization of tea drinking has its own value: it creates conscious pauses in everyday life, promotes mindfulness, and reminds us that natural medicine is always also an invitation to self-care. Many people report that simply incorporating such rituals into their daily routine positively influences their overall well-being. Hildegard von Bingen products

Furthermore, external applications played an important role in Hildegard medicine: herbal baths, moist compresses with herbal essences, and gentle massages with aromatic oils were considered complements to internal herbal use. In connection with feelings of heaviness and water retention, compresses with herbs known for their decongestant effects, such as arnica or horsetail, were traditionally used. Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a classic of European folk medicine, traditionally used for centuries and found in many monastery pharmacies. These external applications combine plant knowledge with body awareness and create a deep connection to one’s own physical experience. all Bitterkraft products

Traditional monastery rituals to support well-being:

• Morning tea according to Hildegard: A warming herbal tea made from fennel, galangal, and ginger is traditionally valued in the Hildegard tradition as an invigorating morning ritual that starts the day with inner warmth.
• Horsetail tea: Horsetail (shavegrass) has been known in European monastic medicine for centuries and is traditionally drunk as a mineral-rich herbal tea. It is one of the most frequently transmitted plants in medieval monastery pharmacies.
• Nettle infusion: Known as a spring ritual since ancient times – nettle tea is traditionally associated in folk medicine with the idea of inner renewal and freshness. Gut and digestion products
• Herbal baths: Hildegard recommended baths with aromatic herbs such as rosemary, juniper, or thyme as an external complement to internal herbal use – a sensual ritual that continues today in wellness baths.
• Hildegard fasting kitchen: Light spelt soups, steamed vegetables, and warming spices form the basis of the Hildegard fasting kitchen, which has been cultivated in monasteries since the Middle Ages and finds its counterpart today in modern fasting concepts.

“Horsetail is warm and somewhat dry. Whoever prepares and drinks it as tea, it takes away the moist ailments of the stomach and makes it light.” – Paraphrased from Hildegard of Bingen, Physica, 12th century (historical source, not a medical statement)

Rituals are the heart of Hildegard medicine: not the individual active ingredient, but the conscious, regular engagement with herbs, nutrition, and the body creates, according to Hildegard’s conviction, the foundation for lasting well-being – a concept rediscovered in modern health science as “lifestyle medicine.”

Hildegard medicine today: Between tradition and modern well-being

The knowledge of Hildegard of Bingen has experienced a remarkable renaissance since the 1980s. Naturopaths, doctors with a focus on natural medicine, and herbal educators have rediscovered her work and translated it into modern practice. Today, there are numerous Hildegard centers, fasting courses, and natural products that refer to her heritage – and rightly so, as long as they clearly communicate the boundaries between traditional experiential knowledge and modern medicine. Hildegard medicine does not claim to cure or treat diseases; it sees itself as a culturally grown system of lifestyle and conscious handling of plants and food. Hildegard von Bingen products

For people suffering from water retention, Hildegard medicine primarily offers a perspective: the view of the whole person and their lifestyle. The questions “What do I eat daily?”, “How much do I move?”, “Do I take time for rituals of self-care?” – these questions are at least as important in the Hildegard tradition as the question about the right herbal tea. In this sense, Hildegard medicine is an invitation to reflection and conscious life design. Of course, it always applies: anyone with persistent or pronounced complaints should not hesitate to seek medical examination. Natural medicine complements – it does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Immune system products

The products and herbs offered on Bitterkraft.com are understood entirely in this spirit: as a complement to a conscious, natural lifestyle, inspired by centuries-old herbal knowledge and driven by the desire to support general well-being naturally. Whether a tea made from fennel and lovage, a bitter tonic according to monastery recipe, or a Hildegard spice mix for daily cooking – all these products express the same idea: that nature offers us much if we listen to it and live in harmony with it. BitterKraft Original

Why Hildegard is still relevant today:

In a time when many people seek orientation in health matters, Hildegard medicine offers something rare: a coherent, holistic worldview that connects body, mind, and soul. Her plant recipes are not isolated individual measures but part of a larger lifestyle – with conscious nutrition, rhythm, movement, and spiritual mindfulness. This principle of integration makes Hildegard medicine a timeless companion for all who want to find their way to greater well-being naturally. Products from this wealth of experience can be found in our shop under the category Hildegard von Bingen products.