February 5th
Photo: Lila la Loop Werdener Herb and medicinal plant garden at Baldeneysee The rose, botanically Rosa, is one of the oldest and most important cultivated plants in Europe. It played a prominent role in the Benedictine abbey Werden – not only as an ornamental plant, but also as a medicinal, fragrant, and symbolic plant. It still grows today in the Werdener herb and medicinal plant garden and is a reminder of the [...] Read More
February 5th
Photo: Lila la Loop Invigorating monastery herb from the abbey Werden Mint, botanically Mentha, was one of the most important medicinal plants of the Benedictines and could be found in almost every monastery garden. Its fresh aroma and invigorating effect made it an indispensable part of monastic medicine. In the monks' writings, it is frequently referred to as "herb [...] Read More
February 5th
Photo: Lila la Loop Traditional medicinal herb from Abbey Werden Horehound, botanically known as Marrubium vulgare, is one of the oldest and most effective herbs in European monastic medicine. Even in antiquity, healers described its special power in treating respiratory illnesses. The Benedictine monks of Abbey Werden adopted this knowledge, cultivated the plant systematically, and made it an integral part of their practice [...] Read More
February 5th
Photo: Lila la Loop Lovage, also known colloquially as "Maggi herb," was an indispensable medicinal herb in Benedictine abbeys. Early on, it was described in monastic herbals as a "warming and strengthening herb" that invigorates the body and aids digestion. The Benedictines of Abbey Werden in what is now southern Essen, near Baldeneysee, valued lovage [...] Read More
February 5th
Photo: Lila la Loop A herb of Benedictine monastic medicine Lady's mint, also known as balsam herb, was an important medicinal herb in Benedictine abbeys, used primarily in women's health. Its name refers to its special role in treating ailments known as "women's diseases." In monastic medicine, it was considered warming, strengthening, and balancing. Many herbal manuscripts praise it as [...] Read More
31 January
Photo: Lila la Loop A traditional bitter herb in monastic medicine. Southernwood, also known as "cola herb" or "staff herb," was an important bitter and tonic herb in Benedictine abbeys, such as Abbey Werden at present-day Baldeneysee. Even in antiquity, it was described as a plant that "strengthens the stomach and clarifies the mind." The monks adopted this knowledge and used the [...] Read More
31 January
Photo: Lila la Loop Introduction to Monastic Medicine The honeydew melon was a particular delicacy in medieval Europe. It arrived via trade routes from the Mediterranean to monastery gardens north of the Alps, including at Abbey Werden in the Ruhr Valley, where it was cultivated with great care. The Benedictines valued it as a cooling, strengthening, and moisturizing fruit, [...] Read More
31 January
Photo: Lila la Loop Knowledge from Werdener Monastic Medicine Wormwood was one of the strongest bitter herbs in monastic medicine. Its name comes from the Middle High German *wermuote*, meaning "good courage". Even in antiquity, it was considered a plant that "strengthens the stomach and clarifies the mind." The Benedictines of the abbey Werden in the Ruhr Valley near present-day Baldeneysee [...] Read More
31 January
Photo: Lila la Loop Medicinal plant in medieval monastic medicine Betony, also known as woundwort, was a highly valued herb in medieval monastic medicine. Ancient authors like Pliny described it as a plant that "heals more wounds than a doctor." The Benedictines, including those from Abbey Werden at present-day Baldeneysee, adopted this knowledge and cultivated betony in [...] Read More
31 January
Photo: Lila la Loop Lavender, the fragrant and medicinal herb of the Benedictines, was one of the most important fragrant and medicinal herbs in Benedictine abbeys, such as Abbey Werden at present-day Baldeneysee. Its name derives from the Latin lavare – „to wash“ – and refers to its purifying and calming effect. In monastic medicine, lavender was considered an herb that nourished the „heart and [...] Read More