Observations placeholder
Bingen, Hildegard of - Rye
Identifier
022681
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Hildegard's scabies meant a skin condition like eczema or scurf, or dandruff
A description of the experience
Hildegard von Bingen’s Physica – translated by Priscilla Throop from the Latin
Rye (siligo) is hot, but colder than wheat. It has many powers. Bread made from rye is good for healthy people, and makes them strong.
Rye is good for fat people, since it diminishes their flesh, and makes them strong. But it is the opposite for those who have a cold stomach, and they are much weakened by it. Their debility cannot weather digesting it, and so, for them, it induces great disturbance.
Anyone who has a protuberance of any sort on his body should cover the lump with a piece of rye bread, either warmed on the fire or broken from a piece taken from the oven. He should repeat this until the lump disappears. The warmth will destroy the lump and make it vanish.
If one has scabies on his head, he should pulverize a crust of rye bread and apply the powder, which removes this malady. After three days, rub the area with olive oil. It is warm and will heal it. He should continue this until he is cured.
If crabs, that is very tiny larvae, eat the flesh of a person, a warm crumb of this bread should be applied. One should do this frequently, and the larvae will die from the heat.