Some plants approach us quite quietly – yet they carry great power within them. Geranium , which Hildegard of Bingen recommended especially for heart failure and emotional distress , is one such hidden medicinal herb. In this article, we explore what the great healer wrote about this so-called "herb of divine grace" – and how it can still provide comfort today. 🌿
What is stork's bill?
Cranesbill—botanically known as Geranium pratense aut rob. Meadow cranesbill or Rupert's herb —is a delicate, wild-growing plant often found at the edge of forests, in gardens, or between old walls. It has small, crimson flowers and delicate, palmate leaves that emit a somewhat distinctive scent when crushed. Many call it "stinking cranesbill" because of this odor. But behind this inconspicuous herb lies a powerful medicinal plant with a long tradition—especially in monastic medicine.
Hildegard von Bingen on the stork's beak
Hildegard of Bingen was not only a gifted abbess, but also a wise healer. In her writings, she describes geranium as more cold than warm—a plant that brings balance. She particularly emphasizes its effect on the heart and soul:
"If someone has heart troubles and is always sad, take some geranium and a little... and crush it. He should eat this powder often with bread, and his heart will be strengthened and happy..."
Hildegard was clear: When the body's vital fluids—that is, heat and cold—are out of balance, the heart also suffers. Cranesbill helps balance these inner contradictions. And with the right herbal blend, it brings comfort when the heart is heavy.
Cranesbill and the sad heart
Sadness can take root deep within the body. Some feel it as a heaviness in the chest, others as constant tiredness or a lump in the throat. Hildegard saw such feelings as having not only emotional but also physical causes—often a weak heart or an imbalance of bodily fluids.
It's precisely in moments like these that geranium is said to help. Its cooling power soothes without stifling. Combined with warming herbs and bread as a "carrier," it strengthens the heart—not only physically but also emotionally. So that sadness slowly fades and makes room for a little more happiness.
Application of stork's beak according to Hildegard
Hildegard recommended mixing dried and crushed geranium with other herbs and sprinkling it on bread. She recommended eating it two to three times a day. This application is simple but effective—and entirely in the spirit of Hildegard's healing: natural, gentle, and suitable for everyday use.
You can also use the herb in tea blends or as a tincture, although the original use on bread was specifically intended for spiritual strengthening.
The herb of grace in folk medicine
Long before and even after Hildegard, geranium was known in folk medicine. It was also called "herb of divine grace" because it was believed to be a gift from heaven. It has been used for kidney diseases, inflammation, nosebleeds, gout, and skin problems.
The plant contains tannins, an unknown bitter compound, and a small amount of essential oil—which also explains its characteristic scent. Although it's rarely recognized in modern conventional medicine, it remains a staple of many ancient herbal books.
Why we need ancient herbal wisdom today
In a time when everything is fast, loud, and technological, it's good to reflect on simplicity. On plants that don't shout loudly, but have a quiet effect. The geranium is one such plant: inconspicuous, yet full of inner strength.
Perhaps it's especially important today to rediscover herbs like these—not just as remedies, but as companions in times when the heart feels heavy. Hildegard's words invite us not only to treat, but to understand. And who knows—perhaps your heart will also feel a little lighter with a small spoonful of geranium on bread. 🌿