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St. Hildegard’s Garden by Paul Ferris. Sophia Institute Press (Manchester, NH, 2025). 240 pp., hardcover. $29.95. Available from the publisher.
Mothers often look for ways to treat their children’s ailments. What if they had a collection of home remedies at their fingertips? Readers can find that and much more in the new book St. Hildegard’s Garden by French journalist Paul Ferris. Ferris specializes in health and natural therapies. He is the author of numerous natural health guides and regularly appears on television and radio programs.
As a pioneer of European phytotherapy, St. Hildegard of Bingen described and cataloged hundreds of ingredients from plant, mineral, and animal origins. Her holistic view of the human being is as valued and appreciated today as when she developed them nearly a thousand years ago and is now accessible in these keepsake pages.
Popular author and blogger Leila Lawler wrote the introduction to this book. She explained in a recent interview with Aleteia, “It's a really interesting resource. I think it is very important today for us to realize that there are healing remedies in the natural world. And something that most people don't realize is that a lot of the pharmaceutical products that we use are themselves based on chemical analogs to herbs and even spices."
Readers will learn about “Hildegard’s elixir” for curing common ailments and effective treatments for nervous, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, and hormonal illnesses. Moreover, they will find recipes for preparing everything from their own breakfast dishes and soups to medicinal wines, teas, poultices, ointments, oils, plasters, and eye drops.
Hildegard, said Lawler, "was scientific in her own way, and the observations she made are legitimate and are helpful."
Additionally, Ferris lays out the most favorable environment for growing the plants most heartily recommended by Hildegard, and step-by-step instructions on how to develop your own spiritually organized and fruitful garden plan, along with the fascinating spiritual symbolism behind its organization.
"Even if we just narrowly look at the herbal idea, not only are they available and effective, a lot of them are things that we consider to be weeds," Lawler explained. "So you don't even necessarily have to spend any money to get them, you just have to be observant."
Hildegard built up an immense store of knowledge of diverse creatures and used it to serve others. Our human illnesses, she observed, are often caused by our disrespect for nature and our own bodies. So she researched, conducted experiments, prayed, and cataloged these ingredients to achieve spectacular results for healing both body and soul.
As a Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, my Mom has a lot of children to tend to. I know that I will be ordering her a copy of this gem of a book that she will cherish for Mother’s Day.
Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of St. Hildegard’s Garden and/or to schedule an interview with their spokesperson Leila Lawler.
Mary Beth Bracy is a writer who is blessed to research, publish, and speak extensively on various aspects of Catholic spirituality. Her books include Behold the Lamb, Bread of Life and The Little Way of Healing Love Through the Passion of Jesus: The Stations of the Cross with St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and she is co-author of the book Stories of the Eucharist. She has written articles for numerous Catholic publications and recorded some Catholic talks. Mary Beth is also a professional teacher, dual certified in English and Special Education, and the owner of a Catholic book and gift shop online. A proud member of the St. John Paul II generation, and lover of all things St. Thérèse, Mary Beth enjoys spending time in Eucharistic Adoration daily, keeping in touch with her family and friends, as well as, sharing her faith with others.
