Medicinal Herbs from Your Own Garden: From Hildegard von Bingen to Modern Phytotherapy

The Renaissance of Herbal Medicine

At a time when more and more people are looking for natural alternatives, phytotherapy - herbal medicine - is experiencing a remarkable renaissance. According to a Forsa survey, over 70% of Germans use herbal remedies, and the trend is rising.

What is special: many of these medicinal plants thrive wonderfully in your own garden or grow as wild herbs right on our doorstep.

Hildegard von Bingen: Wisdom from the 12th Century

The Benedictine nun Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) is considered one of the most important naturopaths of the Middle Ages. Her works "Physica" and "Causae et Curae" describe over 200 medicinal plants and their applications.

Hildegard's Most Important Garden Herbs

🌿 Pellitory (Anacyclus pyrethrum) Hildegard's "universal remedy" - promotes digestion and strengthens the immune system. Today, research confirms its anti-inflammatory properties.

🌿 Galangal (Alpinia officinarum) The "spice of life" - for gastrointestinal complaints and general strengthening. Recognised in modern phytotherapy as digestive-promoting.

🌿 Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) For Hildegard a remedy for a "cheerful mood" - today we know about its antispasmodic and carminative properties.

🌿 Marigold (Calendula officinalis) The wound-healing plant par excellence - Hildegard's recommendation is still valued in dermatology today.

Your Herb Garden: Setup and Care

Choosing a Location

Most medicinal herbs prefer:

• Full sun to partial shade
• Well-drained, rather poor soil
• Sheltered from wind (essential oils evaporate in the wind)

The Top 10 Medicinal Herbs for Beginners

Plant	Effect	Harvest	Use
Peppermint	Digestion, headache	May-Sept	Tea, tincture
Chamomile	Anti-inflammatory	June-Aug	Tea, steam bath
Sage	Antibacterial, sore throat	May-Sept	Tea, gargle solution
Thyme	Cough, bronchitis	June-Aug	Tea, syrup
Lavender	Calming, sleep	July-Aug	Tea, pillow, oil
St. John's wort	Mood-lifting	June-Aug	Oil, tincture
Lemon balm	Calming, antiviral	May-Sept	Tea, tincture
Yarrow	Digestion, wound healing	June-Sept	Tea, tincture
Ribwort plantain	Cough, insect bites	Apr-Oct	Syrup, compress
Marigold	Wound healing, skin	June-Oct	Ointment, tea

Making Tinctures Yourself

Tinctures are concentrated plant extracts in alcohol - they preserve the active ingredients and make them easy to dose.

Basic Herbal Tincture Recipe

1. Plant material fresh or dried, fill into a screw-top jar (⅓ to ½ full)
2. 40-60% alcohol (spirit or vodka), top up until everything is covered
3. Leave to stand in a dark, cool place for 4-6 weeks, shaking daily
4. Strain through a fine cloth and fill into dropper bottles

Dosage: As a rule 20-30 drops in a little water 3 times a day. If in doubt, always consult a doctor or naturopath.

Wild Herbs: The Forgotten Superfoods

Right on our doorstep grow plants with an astonishing nutrient content:

• Stinging nettle: 7 times more vitamin C than oranges, rich in iron
• Dandelion: Liver-strengthening, bitter and digestion-promoting
• Ground elder: A vitamin C bomb, tastes like parsley
• Chickweed: A tender wild herb, rich in minerals

Identifying Safely

The correct identification of wild herbs is essential - mix-ups can be dangerous. Modern AI-supported plant recognition tools offer a helpful initial assessment, but do not replace the sound knowledge of experienced herbalists.

Moon Phases and Herb Harvesting

Traditionally, medicinal herbs are harvested at specific moon phases:

• 🌑 New moon: Harvest roots (energy is drawn into the earth)
• 🌓 Waxing moon: Leaves and stems (sap rises)
• 🌕 Full moon: Harvest flowers (highest active-ingredient content)
• 🌗 Waning moon: Fruits and seeds

Whether this tradition is scientifically founded is controversially debated - but many experienced gardeners swear by it.

Conclusion: Ancient Knowledge, New Possibilities

Combining traditional herbal knowledge with modern tools opens up fascinating possibilities. Whether you set up a small herb balcony or plan a complete monastery garden - the first step is always the same: start with one plant, get to know it and let yourself be inspired by its effect.

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Note: This article is for information purposes and does not replace medical advice. If you have health complaints, please consult a doctor or naturopath. All growing tips are optimised for Central Europe (the DACH region).