Keeping an Indoor Herbal Garden: Inspired By Saint Hildegard
How fragile you are, Human. Made of dust and grime. Articulate what you see and hear. Write it all down. Because you’re frightened to speak out, and because your style is simple and unschooled, you must write down exactly what God shows and tells you, without relying on human rhetoric or intelligence. Let the will of Him who guides the universe guide you in this work. Get to it. Speak of these visions. ~Hildegard
This quote is from the Scivias, that Hildegard wrote, and it is from a vision she had. God finds it powerful when, in our weakness, we rely on Him to show his Power. Hildegard was a simple nun who wanted to do God’s will, and yet she became know for her writing, music compositions, art work, botany, medicine, poetry. And centuries later we are in awe of all that was accomplished in her life as a nun.
She stands high among some of my favorite holy people. I find a kindred soul in her through her works, as we have similar interests. She was genius beyond her education. And her interests were many, not just a few. Again, I can relate to that as my interests seem to be all over the place!
For this share, I just want to talk about her interest and love plants. She wrote a whole book on herbs and their healing power. The importance of health and healing is of such importance that the monks in medieval times grew specific gardens of healing plants. Monasteries and churches were often known as places of healing not just for their spiritual medicine, but also the healing of the body as well. It’s all connected, and there was a knowledge of this that was well known. And now, in our times, it is no less important.
In honor of Hildegard’s feast day, this gives us a wonderful opportunity to dive into planting, specifically, a medicinal herbal garden. It doesn’t have to be big, and you could even choose to do a couple of potted plants and arrange them in a certain area to be labeled as the Medicinal Herbal Garden. Even a few medicinal’s will add benefit to your diet, and add beauty to your garden. Some herbs can be grown together well like Thyme, Rosemary, and Sage. Herbs can often be started, and even kept inside, on a window sill or an area with good light. Especially in the winter months, this can be something lovely to have available. The presence of plants in your home is also beneficial to the air to help purify it.
Some herbs that are of great benefit are Oregano, Thyme, Yarrow, and Chamomile, and Sage. You can do a little bit of reading and discover the benefits of these herbs for your body and all the different ways that are possible to use them. Tinctures, glycerites, and teas are just a few ways, along with using them in your meals.
A view of the reconstructed garden of Hildegard.
In my own gardens, I’m planning to have one area that is dedicated to medicinal plants, and to arrange it somewhat in a beautiful pattern. I’d like to make it functional, and beautiful as well. And of course, one area in particular to be dedicated to Hildegard.
