Wormwood is one of the most well-known herbs in Hildegard's teachings. The abbess Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179) described it as "the master over all states of exhaustion in man" – a formulation that shows the significance she attributed to this herb. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is rich in bitter compounds, essential oils, flavonoids, and coumarins. These constituents make it one of the most versatile herbs of the monastic tradition, one that continues to fascinate to this day.
In this article you will learn everything you need to know about wormwood: its significance in Hildegard's teachings, how to prepare wormwood tea yourself, what makes the plant so special, what the "Red Wormwood" is all about, and how to make the classic wormwood elixir according to Hildegard von Bingen.
Wormwood in Research
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) has always been an important plant in the herbal tradition. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recognises wormwood herb (Absinthii herba) as a traditional herbal medicine. (Source: EMA, EU Herbal Monograph)
Those interested in the constituents of wormwood will find a clearly understandable summary at Apotheken Umschau.
Wormwood in Hildegard's Teachings
Wormwood contains primarily bitter compounds – above all absinthin, which is responsible for its intensely bitter taste. In modern nutrition, bitter compounds have largely disappeared: through selective breeding they have been removed from vegetables and salads in order to make the flavour milder.
In Hildegard's writings, wormwood occupies a special place. She described it in various contexts and devoted particular attention to it. Some aspects from Hildegard's tradition:
Bitter compounds: Wormwood is particularly rich in bitter compounds. Hildegard wrote: "It warms the stomach and cleanses the intestines and promotes good digestion." This is one of the best-known passages from her writings.
Spring cure: In Hildegard's tradition, the wormwood drink is described as a spring cure – a conscious ritual in the course of the year that has been a tradition for centuries.
Versatile herb: Wormwood is one of the plants that Hildegard mentioned most frequently in her writings. It holds a firm place in her teachings.
Note: Wormwood should not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or in cases of known hypersensitivity to plants of the daisy family. Excessive intake can place a burden on the body.
Contraindications: gastric and duodenal ulcers, gallstones, kidney stones, liver disease. Interactions with other medications should be observed. Please seek medical advice if in doubt.
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Making Wormwood Tea Yourself According to Hildegard
Wormwood tea is the simplest way to incorporate wormwood into everyday life – especially for people who do not wish to consume alcohol or who want to include wormwood in a fasting cure according to Hildegard.
Ingredients for Wormwood Tea
1 teaspoon of dried wormwood herb (approx. 1–2 g) per 150–200 ml of hot water (not boiling, approx. 85–90 °C).
Preparation
Place the dried wormwood herb in a teapot or tea strainer. Pour hot water over it and leave to steep for 5–10 minutes. Then strain. The longer you leave the herb to steep, the more intense and bitter the tea will become.
Use and Dosage
A maximum of 2 cups per day is recommended, ideally 15–30 minutes before meals. In the herbal tradition, wormwood tea is drunk plain and without sugar, in order to consciously experience the bitter taste.
The cure should not be carried out for longer than 3–4 weeks at a stretch. A break is then advisable before the application is repeated.
The Wormwood Plant – Botany, Cultivation & Uses
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) belongs to the daisy family and is a perennial herbaceous plant. The plant grows to between 40 cm and one metre in height (in exceptional cases up to 1.5 m), has silvery-grey, felty-hairy leaves, and gives off an intensely aromatic scent. The small, spherical yellow flowers appear between July and September.
In nature, wormwood thrives on dry or sandy-loamy soil, along roadsides, on fallow land, and near streams. It is an extremely robust plant that grows even on very poor soil and occurs at altitudes of up to 3,500 metres. Wormwood originally comes from the warm regions of Eurasia, but is also found in India, Morocco, and Algeria.
Growing Wormwood in Your Own Garden
In your own garden, wormwood is a low-maintenance addition. It prefers sunny to partially shaded locations with well-drained, rather lean soil. The plant does not tolerate waterlogging. In spring it can easily be propagated from seed or by dividing older plants.
Harvesting and Storage
The leaves and shoot tips can be harvested from April to August. For the Hildegard cure, spring wormwood is traditionally preferred. The herb is dried in bundles and hung up in an airy place. Dried wormwood herb can be stored in airtight jars, in a dark and dry place, for up to one year.
Overview of Uses
Wormwood can be used in many ways: as a tea, as freshly pressed juice for the classic elixir, as an oil extract (wormwood oil), as an ingredient in creams and ointments, as a spice in small quantities, and as a bittering agent in spirits production (absinthe, vermouth). A botanically well-founded overview of the plant is also provided by the plant encyclopaedia of WALA Arzneimittel.
Red Wormwood: The Difference
The term "Red Wormwood" is frequently searched for – but most searchers mean Vermouth Rosso, i.e. the aromatised, red wormwood wine from the world of cocktails (known for example as Martini Rosso or Noilly Prat Rouge).
Vermouth Rosso – Red Wormwood as a Drink
Red wormwood in the culinary sense is a sweet white wine aromatised with wormwood herb and other herbs, to which caramel sugar or other ingredients give the reddish colour. It is a component of classic cocktails such as Negroni, Americano, or Manhattan. The alcohol content is usually between 15 and 18 percent.
Wormwood in Herbalism – No Colour Distinction
In Hildegard's teachings, the colour of wormwood plays no role – botanically there is only one main species, Artemisia absinthium, with silvery-green leaves. The special constituents come exclusively from the plant itself: bitter compounds, essential oils, flavonoids. Those searching for a red wormwood as an herbal product will find no separate plant – but they will find wormwood products with red wine or red fruit juices, which however have no official Hildegard tradition.
The Classic Wormwood Herb
The special constituents of wormwood are not linked to its colour, but to its bitter compounds and essential oils – these are present in the highest concentration in the fresh, grey-silvery plant. Hildegard described explicitly in her writings the freshly pressed juice from spring wormwood for her classic drink.
Wormwood Elixir According to Hildegard von Bingen – the May Cure
The wormwood elixir, also known as wormwood drink, May cure drink, or wormwood wine, is the best-known and most traditional recipe from Hildegard's teachings. Hildegard von Bingen described it in her Physica with the following words:
"Wormwood elixir removes in you the weakness of the kidneys and melancholy, clears the eyes and strengthens your heart and does not allow your lungs to become ill. It warms the stomach and intestines, cleanses the bowels and promotes good digestion."
(Original quote from Hildegard's Physica – historical tradition)
The Classic Hildegard Recipe for the Wormwood Elixir
| Ingredient | Quantity (for 1 litre) | Quantity (for a cure, approx. 3 litres) |
|---|---|---|
| White wine (dry) | 1 litre | 3 litres |
| Blossom honey | 150 g | 450 g |
| Fresh wormwood juice (spring wormwood) | 40 ml | 120 ml |
Preparation
First chop the fresh wormwood leaves and press them through a cloth until you obtain the required quantity of juice. Briefly bring the wine and honey to the boil. Turn off the heat, add the fresh wormwood juice to the still-hot honey wine, immediately strain through a fine sieve, and bottle hot into sterilised bottles. Store in a cool, dark place.
Intake and Cure Planning
In Hildegard's tradition, the elixir is described for use from May to October – taken every 2nd day in the morning on an empty stomach before breakfast. The traditional quantity is one liqueur glass (approx. 10–20 ml). As a cure over 6 weeks. Breaks of at least 2–3 months should be observed.
The one-day break between doses is important: wormwood is an intensive herb, and daily intake over a prolonged period should be avoided. Those undertaking the cure for the first time should pay particular attention to their body's response.
Why Wine and Honey?
Hildegard von Bingen chose wine as a carrier for good reason: wine dissolves the fat-soluble constituents of wormwood – above all the essential oils – and makes them more bioavailable. Honey has a balancing effect on the intense bitter taste. The combination of the three ingredients is considered particularly harmonious in Hildegard's teachings.
Ready-Made Products Instead of Making Your Own
Those who do not wish to make the elixir themselves can fall back on ready-bottled organic wormwood drinks. A high-quality organic wormwood drink ideally contains at least 3.5% organic spring wormwood juice, organic white wine, and organic honey – without chemical additives. In our shop you will find our Organic Wormwood Drink according to Hildegard von Bingen, produced according to the traditional recipe. For a spring cure we also recommend taking a look at our Hildegard cure packages.
Conclusion: Wormwood – a Classic from Hildegard's Teachings
Wormwood is far more than a bitter compound. The herb combines a fascinating array of constituents and occupies a unique position in Hildegard's teachings. It is no wonder that Hildegard von Bingen attributed such special significance to it.
Whether as a tea, as the classic elixir with wine and honey, or as an external application as an oil – wormwood fits into many life situations. The spring cure from May to October in particular is a tradition that has been passed down for centuries and continues to inspire many people today.
If you would like to learn more about wormwood and Hildegard's herbal teachings, or are looking for the right product for your personal cure, browse our herbal drinks range. We are happy to accompany you – with recipes according to Hildegard's teachings since 1984. Also discover our complete range.
