Hildegard's Complete Stone Medicine: All 26 Precious Stones & Their Healing Powers

Hildegard's Complete Stone Medicine: All 26 Precious Stones & Their Healing Powers

A Medieval Medical Encyclopedia of Gems

Walk into any modern wellness center and you'll hear about crystal energy, chakra balancing, and vibrational healing.

But here's what Hildegard ACTUALLY wrote:

A systematic, pre-scientific medical encyclopedia documenting 26 stones/gems with specific ailments, detailed preparation methods, prayers to say while using them, and exact instructions for application.

This is medieval MEDICINE, not modern mysticism.

Let's explore every single stone Hildegard documented in her Physica, Book 4, exactly as she described them - with direct quotes, specific uses, and honest assessments of what medieval science got right and wrong.

HILDEGARD'S THEORY OF STONES: Where Do They Come From?

The Lucifer Origin Story

Before we dive into the 26 stones, you need to understand Hildegard's theological foundation:

"God had decorated the first angel as if with precious stones. Lucifer, upon seeing them shine in the mirror of the Divinity, took knowledge from them and recognized that God wished to do many wondrous things. His mind was exalted with pride, since the beauty of the stones which covered him shone in God. He thought that he could do deeds both equal to and greater than God's. And so his splendor was extinguished. But, just as God restored Adam to a better part, He sent neither the beauty nor the powers of those precious stones to perdition, but willed that they would be held in honor and blessing on earth AND USED FOR MEDICINE."

Translation: Stones came from Lucifer's angelic decoration. When he fell, God didn't destroy the stones' power - He gave them to humans as medicine.

When Stones Form (According to Hildegard)

Hildegard believed each stone formed at a specific time of day based on the sun's position:

• Morning (sunrise): Emerald

• First hour of day: Jacinth

• Third hour (mid-morning): Onyx

• 9am-noon: Beryl

• After 6th hour (afternoon): Sardonyx

• After noon: Sapphire, Chrysolite

• Before 9th hour: Topaz

• After 9th hour (sunset): Jasper

• Eventide: Prasine, Chalcedony

• After sunset: Chrysoprase

• Lunar eclipse: Carbuncle (rarest!)

• Sun's corona: Amethyst

Why this mattered to her: The TIME of formation determined the stone's properties (heat, moisture, which elements dominated).

The Devil's Relationship with Stones

"Every stone contains fire and moisture. The devil abhors, detests, and disdains precious stones."

Why? Because they reminded him of what he lost. This is why many remedies include prayers while using stones - combining physical medicine with spiritual protection.

THE COMPLETE LIST: ALL 26 STONES WITH MEDICINAL USES

I. EMERALD (Smaragdus)

Formation Time: Morning at sunrise
Properties: Hot, from vitality of air
Color: Green

What Hildegard Said:

"The emerald grows in the wee hours of morning at sunrise, when the sun is powerfully placed in its orbit, traversing its route. Then the natural vigor of the earth and grasses is especially lively, the air still cold, the sun hot. Therefore, the emerald is powerful against all human weakness and sickness."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR HEART, STOMACH, OR SIDE PAIN:

• Carry emerald with you

• It will heat up your flesh, making you better

FOR EPILEPSY (9-Day Treatment):

1. When person falls, put emerald in mouth while lying prostrate

2. After getting up, look at stone intently

3. Say: "Just as the breath of the Lord filled the whole earth, so may his grace fill the house of my body, so that it can never be moved"

4. Do this every morning for 9 days

5. Always carry stone and say prayer each morning = CURED

FOR SUDDEN PESTILENTIAL ATTACKS:

• Place emerald in mouth until wet with saliva

• Saliva heats up from stone

• Repeatedly place on and remove from body

• Attacks will cease

FOR HEADACHE:

• Hold near mouth and warm with breath until damp

• Rub on temples and forehead

• Put in mouth for a little while = BETTER

FOR EXCESS PHLEGM & SALIVA:

1. Heat good wine

2. Put linen cloth over metallic vessel

3. Rest emerald on cloth

4. Pour warm wine over stone so it passes through cloth

5. Repeat "as if preparing lye"

6. Eat wine mixed with ground broad beans

7. Drink wine itself = purges head, diminishes phlegm

FOR WORMS EATING FLESH:

1. Place linen cloth with emerald on top over wound

2. Tie other small cloths over it so stone grows warm

3. Do for 3 days = worms will die

II. JACINTH (Jacinctus)

Formation Time: First hour of day, born from fire
Properties: More airy than fiery, but fiery because engendered by fire
Color: Red-orange/hyacinth

What Hildegard Said:

"Jacinth is born from fire at the first hour of the day, when the air holds a gentle heat. More airy than fiery, it senses the air and its heat, in proportion to the air it holds. Nevertheless, it is fiery because it is engendered by fire."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR FOGGY/AGITATED/SUPPURATIVE EYES:

1. Hold jacinth in sun

2. "It immediately remembers that it was born from fire and quickly heats up"

3. Dampen with saliva

4. Quickly place on eyes to warm them

5. Do often = eyes become clear and healthy

FOR BEWITCHMENT/MADNESS FROM DELUSIONS OR MAGIC WORDS:

The Ritual (Elaborate Exorcism with Bread):

1. Take warm rye bread

2. Cut shape of cross in top crust (don't break through completely)

3. Draw jacinth down through the cut

4. Say: "May God, who threw off every precious stone from the devil when the devil contravened his command, now throw off from you, N., every delusion and all magic words; and may he free you from the pain of this madness"

5. Draw same stone across warm bread again

6. Say: "Just as the splendor which the devil had in him was taken from him because of his transgression, so also let this madness which torments you, N., by various delusions and magic words, be taken from you, and disappear"

7. Give bread from area through which jacinth passed to afflicted person to eat

8. If can't eat rye bread: Use jacinth and same words to bless warm unleavened bread

9. In addition: Draw same cross shape through ALL foods patient will eat - meats, vegetable purees, everything

10. Frequently make crosses on food and bless with those words = CURED

FOR HEART PAIN:

• Make sign of cross over heart with jacinth

• Say same prayers

• Will be better

III. ONYX (Onychinus)

Formation Time: Around 3rd hour of day, in thick cloud
Properties: Hot, heat of air (not great fire heat)
Color: Black/white layers

What Hildegard Said:

"Onyx is hot. It is formed around the third hour of the day, in a thick cloud, when the sun is very hot but when various clouds rise over the sun, so that it does not show through the abundance of water. Therefore, onyx does not have the great heat of fire, yet it holds the heat of air. It originates from a ray of the sun, is congealed by various clouds, and has great power against infirmities that arise from the air."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR FOGGY EYES OR OTHER EYE AILMENTS:

1. Pour good pure wine into bronze, copper, or steel vessel

2. Place onyx in wine, soak for 15-30 days

3. Remove stone, leave wine in vessel

4. Every night gently touch eyes with wine

5. Eyes will become clear and healthy

FOR HEART OR SIDE AILMENTS:

1. Warm onyx in hands or against skin

2. Heat wine on fire in metallic vessel

3. After removing from fire, hold stone over steaming wine

4. Sweat from stone mixes with wine

5. Put onyx in wine, drink right away

6. Pain of heart and side will disappear

FOR STOMACH PAIN:

1. Prepare wine with onyx (as above)

2. Make broth with that wine, hens' eggs, and flour

3. Eat often = purges stomach, heals

FOR SPLEEN AILMENTS:

1. Cook goat meat or young sheep

2. Eat cooked meat dipping in onyx-wine (like dipping in vinegar)

3. Do often = spleen better, swells up fully

FOR STRONG FEVERS:

1. Place onyx in vinegar for 5 days

2. Remove onyx

3. Prepare and season ALL foods with that vinegar

4. Eat them = fever cease and vanish swiftly

5. Why works: "Good heat of onyx, mixed with heat of vinegar, chases away noxious humors which give rise to fevers"

FOR SADNESS/DEPRESSION:

• Look at onyx intently

• Place in mouth

• Oppression of mind will cease

FOR LIVESTOCK PESTILENCE:

1. Heat water in vessel over fire

2. Hold onyx over steaming water so sweat mixes with water

3. Place onyx in water 3 days

4. Give water to cows to drink frequently

5. Sprinkle on their fodder

6. Mix with bran for them to eat

7. Do often = cattle will be better

IV. BERYL (Beryllus)

Formation Time: Daily between 9am and noon
Properties: Hot, from air/water more than fire
Color: Green/aquamarine

What Hildegard Said:

"Beryl is hot and develops every day, between the third hour and midday, from foam of water, which the sun inflames mightily."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR POISON (Eaten or Drunk):

1. Grate moderate amount of beryl into spring water (or any water)

2. Drink immediately

3. Repeat once daily on empty stomach for 5 days

4. Poison will either foam out through nausea OR pass through posterior

FOR PEACE/TRANQUILITY:

• Always have beryl with you

• Hold in hand frequently

• Look at it often

• Result: Won't argue with others, won't dispute, will remain tranquil

V. SARDONYX (Sardonix)

Formation Time: Daily after 6th hour (past noon)
Properties: Hot, fiery, formed in sun's purity
Color: Red/white/black layers

What Hildegard Said:

"Sardonyx is hot and develops every day when the sixth hour has already passed, (until) just past one line of the ninth hour of the day. Then it is warmed by the sun, which is shining in its purity. It holds strong powers in its nature and furnishes strength to a person's five senses."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR STRENGTHENING ALL 5 SENSES:

• Place against bare skin

• Frequently place to mouth so breath touches it while breathing in/out

• Strengthens understanding, knowledge, all bodily senses

• Removes great wrath, stupidity, illiterateness

• Devil flees this purity

FOR EXCESSIVE LUST:

• Men: Place sardonyx on loins

• Women: Place on umbilicus

• Relief from burning lust

FOR PREVENTING RELAPSE AFTER ILLNESS:

• After sweating from acute disease

• When feeling better, place sardonyx on finger as ring

• Will NOT fall into same sickness again

VI. SAPPHIRE (Sapphirus)

Formation Time: After noon when sun burns ardently
Properties: Hot, more fiery than airy/watery
Symbolism: Complete love of wisdom
Color: Blue

What Hildegard Said:

"Sapphire is hot and develops after noontime, when the sun burns ardently and the air is a bit obstructed by its heat. It symbolizes a complete love of wisdom."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR EYE STYES:

1. Hold sapphire in hand and warm (in closed hand or near fire)

2. Touch sty with damp stone morning and night

3. Do for 3 days

4. Sty will shrink and disappear

FOR RED/INFLAMED EYES OR OBSCURED VISION:

1. Place sapphire in mouth before breakfast until damp with saliva

2. Take saliva from stone onto finger

3. Smear around eyes, touching inside of eyes

4. Eyes will heal and become clear

FOR COMPLETE PARALYSIS (Virgichtiget):

• Place sapphire in mouth

• Gicht will stop

FOR UNDERSTANDING & KNOWLEDGE:

1. Every morning upon waking (while fasting), place sapphire in mouth

2. Hold until absorbed with saliva/moistened

3. Remove from mouth

4. Warm wine in metal vessel over fire

5. Hold stone in vapor so it sweats and becomes damp

6. Lick moisture and saliva

7. Swallow it

8. Result: Pure understanding and knowledge + healed stomach

FOR FOOLISHNESS/LACK OF WISDOM:

• If person is not malicious but simply lacks wisdom

• Rub tongue with sapphire while fasting

• Heat and strength with moisture of saliva chase off noxious humors oppressing understanding

• Person will receive good understanding

FOR EXCESSIVE ANGER:

• Immediately place sapphire in mouth

• Wrath extinguished and gone

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:

• Sapphire must be set in PURE GOLD ring (no tin)

• Nothing but gold under stone

• Otherwise harmful - don't put in mouth

FOR DEMONIC POSSESSION:

1. Place sapphire on some earth

2. Sew earth into leather sack

3. Hang from person's neck

4. Say: "O you, most wicked spirit, quickly go from this person, just as, in your first fall, the glory of your splendor very quickly fell from you"

5. Evil spirit will be tortured and depart (unless very cruel spirit)

FOR UNNATURAL LUST (Magical Obsession):

• If man is insanely in love with woman (annoys her)

• Woman pours wine over sapphire 3 times

• Each time says: "I pour this wine, in its ardent powers, over you; just as God drew off your splendor, wayward angel, so may you draw away from me the lust of this ardent man"

• Give wine to man for 3+ days

• Burning passion will vanish

• (Works reverse for woman obsessed with man)

VII. SARD/SARDIUS (Sardius)

Formation Time: After midday in autumn when leaves fall
Properties: Well-balanced heat, from air/water
Color: Red/orange

What Hildegard Said:

"Sard develops after midday from an inundation of showers, when the leaves of deciduous trees fall in autumn. The sun is very hot, the air is cold, and the sun's redness warms the sard. It is well balanced in a good moderation of heat. It averts adverse pestilences with its power."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR MENTAL ILLNESS/HEAD AILMENTS:

1. Tie sard on top of head (in hat, cloth, or leather sack)

2. Say: "Just as God threw the first angel into the abyss, so may he cut this illness from you, N., and restore good knowledge"

3. Will be cured

FOR DEAFNESS FROM ILLNESS:

1. Dip sard in pure wine until dampened

2. Put in thin linen cloth

3. Fasten over deaf ear with thin string/material over cloth

4. Heat of sard will enter ear

5. Do often = hearing restored

FOR JAUNDICE:

• Do similar process using URINE and sard at night

• Say same prayer as above

• Do for 3 nights = CURED

FOR DIFFICULT CHILDBIRTH:

1. Rub sard around both thighs

2. Say: "Just as you, stone, by the order of God, shone on the first angel, so you, child, come forth a shining person, who dwells with God"

3. Hold stone at exit for child (female member)

4. Say: "Open you, roads and door, in that epiphany by which Christ appeared both human and God, and opened the gates of hell. Just so, child, may you also come out from this door without dying, and without the death of your mother"

5. Tie stone in belt and cinch around her = CURED

VIII. TOPAZ (Topazius)

Formation Time: Just before 9th hour of day
Properties: Hot with air/water, clear like water
Color: Golden yellow
Special Power: Resists heat and poison

What Hildegard Said:

"Topaz develops just before the ninth hour of the day, in the heat of the sun. It is hot and has a bit of air and water in it. It is clear, and that clarity is similar to water. Its color is more like gold than yellow. It resists heat and poison, and does not tolerate them, just as the sea is unable to bear any depravities in it."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR POISON DETECTION:

• When eating/drinking, hold finger with topaz ring next to food/drink

• Look at it frequently

• If ANY poison present, topaz will immediately SWEAT (like sea foams when filth enters)

FOR OBSCURED VISION:

1. Put topaz in pure wine for 3 days and nights

2. At night when going to bed, rub eyes with moistened topaz

3. Liquid should touch inside of eyes a little

4. Can keep same wine for 5 days

5. Repeat nightly, dipping stone in wine each time

6. Renew wine after 5 days

7. "Just as the best eye salve" = eyes will clarify

FOR FEVERS:

1. Make 3 moderately sized trenches in soft bread with topaz

2. Pour pure wine in trenches (add more if disappears)

3. Look at face in wine as if looking in mirror

4. Say: "I look at myself, just as the cherubim and seraphim look at God in a mirror, so that these fevers might be cast from me"

5. Do often = CURED

FOR LEPROSY:

1. Heat tile well, place oat chaff on it to smoke

2. Hold topaz over smoke until it sweats

3. Smear sweat over leprous place

4. Then take olive oil + 1/3 violet juice

5. Rub on place moistened with topaz sweat

6. Do often = lesions broken, person better (unless dies)

FOR SPLEEN AILMENTS OR INTERNAL ROT:

1. Place topaz in straight morach wine for 5 days

2. Remove topaz, boil wine to steam

3. Hold topaz over steam so it sweats and mixes with wine

4. Place stone in warm wine briefly

5. Remove and prepare broth/beverage from wine (no lard)

6. Do often and sip = spleen healed, interior rot diminished

DAILY SPIRITUAL PROTECTION:

• Every morning place topaz over heart

• Say: "May God, who is magnified above all things and in all ways, not reject me from his honor, but may he preserve, strengthen, and establish me with his blessing"

• As long as you do this, evil will abhor you

• Why it works: "Because it grows while the sun is sinking, it deflects assaults from a person"

IX. CHRYSOLITE (Chrysolithus)

Formation Time: After noon at 9th hour
Properties: Hot from sun + humidity of air
Special Quality: "Almost as if it contains living strength"
Color: Golden green

What Hildegard Said:

"Chrysolite develops from the heat of the sun and the humidity of the air, after noon, at the ninth hour of the day. It is almost as if it contains living strength."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR LIVESTOCK BIRTHS:

• If chrysolite is near when sheep or beast gives birth

• Its strength fortifies animal to move sooner than usual

FOR FEVER:

1. Heat wine

2. Hold chrysolite over vapor of wine so sweat mixes with wine

3. Drink warmed wine

4. Place chrysolite in mouth briefly

5. Do often = WELL

FOR HEART AILMENTS:

• Dip chrysolite in olive oil

• Smear over place that hurts = BETTER

FOR STRENGTHENING KNOWLEDGE:

• Always carry chrysolite with you

• If you have good knowledge/skill, place over heart

• As long as it lies there, knowledge and skill shall NOT fail

• Why: "Chrysolite has the powers which are in the day's seven hours"

• Airy spirits shrink back from this stone

X. JASPER (Jaspis)

Formation Time: After 9th hour when sun setting
Properties: More air than water/fire, varying heat
Color: Red, yellow, green varieties

What Hildegard Said:

"Jasper develops when the sun is beginning to set, after the ninth hour of the day, and it is warmed by the fire of the sun. It is more from air than from water or fire. It has a varying heat because, when the sun is setting, its heat is often in a cloud."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR DEAFNESS:

1. Hold jasper to mouth, breathe on it with warm breath until warm/moist

2. Put in ear, place thin fabric over stone to close ear

3. Keep until heat transfers to ear

4. Why it works: "This stone develops from fresh air, so it breaks up various illnesses of the humors"

5. Person recovers hearing

FOR THICK NASAL DISCHARGE:

1. Put jasper near mouth, breathe on it until warm/moist

2. Set in nostril

3. Press nose with hand

4. Heat enters head

5. Humors in head loosened more quickly and gently = BETTER

FOR GICHT (Gout/Arthritis) - Any Body Part:

• Place jasper on affected area (heart, kidneys, any part)

• Press until area warms up

• Torment will cease

• Why: "Good heat and strength of jasper heals and calms humors which are too hot or too cold"

FOR NIGHTMARES:

• When thunder/lightning appear in dreams

• Good to have jasper with you

• Phantasms and menaces dispersed and disappear

FOR PROTECTING MOTHER & NEWBORN:

• From time of birth through all days of infancy

• Mother should keep jasper on her hand

• Malign spirits of air much less able to harm her or child

• Why: "The tongue of the ancient serpent stretches out toward the sweat of the infant as it emerges from its mother's vulva. At that time he is trying to ensnare the child as well as the mother."

FOR SERPENT'S BREATH:

• If serpent sends out breath in any spot

• Place jasper there

• Breath will be weakened, less harmful

• Serpent will stop breathing in that place

XI. PRASINE (Prasius)

Formation Time: Eventide when sun withdraws
Properties: From sun heat, humidity, dew vigor
Color: Green

What Hildegard Said:

"Prasine develops around eventide, when the sun withdraws its rays from the upper parts of the earth, and when the dew is approaching. From the heat of the sun, the humidity of the air and water, and the vigor of the dew, the prasine is born."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR BURNING FEVER:

1. Roll prasine in bit of rye bread dough

2. Tie with cloth

3. Keep tied over umbilicus for 3 days and nights

4. Fever will go from person

FOR BRUISES (From Blow or Fall):

1. Take old fat

2. Mix with equal amounts sage and tansy

3. Press prasine into mixture

4. Heat in sun or near fire

5. Place all (with stone) heated over place that hurts = BETTER

XII. CHALCEDONY (Calcedonius)

Formation Time: Past eventide, sun almost gone
Properties: Heat more from air than sun, good powers
Color: Pale blue/gray

What Hildegard Said:

"Chalcedony develops when it is past eventide, when the sun is almost gone and the air is still a bit warm. It draws its heat more from the air than from the sun, and it has good powers."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR GENERAL HEALTH & TEMPERAMENT:

• Carry chalcedony always

• Keep touching skin, placed over a vein

• Vein and blood receive heat and strength

• Carry to other veins and rest of blood

• Stone turns infirmities away

• Gives mind very strong against wrath

• Person so tranquil almost no one can provoke justified wrath or harm unjustly

FOR CONSISTENT, WISE SPEAKING:

1. Hold chalcedony in hand

2. Warm with breath until moist

3. Lick with tongue

4. Will be able to speak more firmly to people

XIII. CHRYSOPRASE (Chrysoprasus)

Formation Time: Hour when sun totally withdrawn
Properties: Nocturnal power, temperate balanced heat
Color: Apple green

What Hildegard Said:

"Chrysoprase develops at the hour when the sun is totally withdrawn. Then the air and water are very turbid and colored green. When the moon receives the strongest power from the sun—that is when it is not yet full, but middle-sized, this stone has nocturnal power. Its great strengths have temperate and balanced heat, so that it is not too hot."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR GICHT (Any Body Part):

• Place chrysoprase on bare skin where gicht afflicting

• Gicht will cease

FOR EXCESSIVE RAGE:

• Place chrysoprase near throat until warms up

• Person unable to bring forth wrathful words while ire quieted

FOR POISON NEUTRALIZATION:

• Wherever chrysoprase is

• Any death-bearing poison loses strength

• Becomes powerless, weak as water

• Loses heat, becomes less noxious

FOR EPILEPSY:

• Always have chrysoprase with you

• Nocturnal disease will harm less

• Airy spirits unable to prepare mockery

• Sufferer will expel foam from mouth

FOR DEMONIC POSSESSION (5-Day Exorcism):

1. Pour water over chrysoprase

2. Say: "O water, I pour you over this stone in that power by which God made the sun as well as the hastening moon"

3. Give water as drink to possessed (in whatever way able - they'll resist)

4. For whole day devil tortured, becomes weaker, can't manifest powers as before

5. Do for 5 days

6. On 5th day prepare bread with same water

7. Give to eat in whatever way possible

8. If demon not fierce, will depart

TYPES OF DEMONS (Diagnostic Guide):

• GENTLE DEMON: Person laughs readily, looks at people kindly while gnashing teeth

• BITTER/FIERCE DEMON: Speaks unwillingly, willfully mute, doesn't laugh, strongly arches hands, spits foam

Note: Chrysoprase not much use for bitter demons, but will torture them, make weak, eventually expelled when God wishes

XIV. CARBUNCLE (Carbunculus)

Formation Time: During lunar eclipse (RAREST!)
Properties: Splendor from sun's heat, shines more at night
Color: Fiery red, glowing

What Hildegard Said:

"Carbuncle develops during an eclipse of the moon. Then the moon is weary and wishes to fade...At that time, the sun sinks all its powers into the firmament. It places its tongue in the other's mouth, so that it may resuscitate that which had died. Carbuncle is born at this time. Since an eclipse of the moon is rare, this stone is rare. Its strength is unusual, and it should be feared and used with much reverence and concern."

⚠️ EXTREME CAUTION - MOST POWERFUL STONE:

FOR ANY ILLNESS THAT CHANGED HUMORS:

1. Place carbuncle on sick person's umbilicus at MIDNIGHT (when strength particularly vigorous)

2. AS SOON as person feels warmed OR slightest motion in body = IMMEDIATELY REMOVE

3. DANGER: If left longer, power penetrates whole body, DRIES IT UP

4. Heat penetrates more than any unguent, reaches all internal organs

5. If used correctly: Checks and dispels ANY disease

FOR HEAD AILMENTS:

1. Place carbuncle on top of head for SHORT TIME only

2. When flesh heats up = IMMEDIATELY REMOVE

3. Strength penetrates head better/quicker than most precious ointment or balsam = BETTER

FOR PRESERVING CLOTHING:

• Place carbuncle in clothing or any thing

• Will last longer, decay with difficulty

FOR SPIRITUAL PROTECTION:

• Wherever carbuncle is

• Airy spirits unable to bring phantasms to completion

• They flee and turn away from it

XV. AMETHYST (Amethystus)

Formation Time: When sun shows circle (corona) - rare
Properties: Hot, fiery, bit airy
Formation: Grows as gum (many of them)
Color: Purple

What Hildegard Said:

"Amethyst develops when the sun shows its circle, as though it were crowned, which it does when it prefigures some change in the vestment of the Lord, in the Church. It is hot and fiery and a bit airy, since the air is a bit cool when the sun shows its circle."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR FACIAL SPOTS:

• Dampen amethyst with saliva

• Rub over spots

FOR BEAUTIFUL SKIN:

1. Heat water over fire

2. Hold stone over water so sweat mixes with water

3. Place stone in water

4. Wash face with water

5. Do often = smooth skin, beautiful color

FOR FRESH TUMORS/SWELLINGS:

• Dampen amethyst with saliva

• Touch tumor all over with it

• Tumor will shrink and disappear

FOR SPIDER BITES:

• Pass stone over place where spider pierced flesh = CURED

REPELS SERPENTS:

• Serpent and adder FLEE this stone

• Avoid place where they know amethysts to be

XVI. AGATE (Achates)

Formation Time: When water abates, sun heats sand
Properties: Hot/fiery, power from air/water more than fire
Color: Banded/striped various colors

What Hildegard Said:

"Agate is born from certain sand of water which extends from the east to the south. It is hot and fiery, but has greater power from the air and water than from fire."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR SPIDER/VERMIN POISON:

1. Make agate very hot (in sun or on hot tile)

2. Place on painful spot = poison taken away

3. Heat again same way

4. Hold over steam of hot water so sweat mixes with water

5. Place stone in water briefly

6. Dip linen cloth in water

7. Cover place where spider bit or poison poured = HEALED

FOR MENTAL CLARITY:

• Carry agate, place next to bare skin to warm it

• Its nature makes person capable, judicious, prudent in speech

• Why: "Born from fire and air and water"

• Like herbs affecting skin: "Some bad herb, placed on person's skin, sometimes makes pustule or ulcer rise up; some precious stones, placed on skin, make healthy and sensible by their virtue"

FOR EPILEPSY:

• Always have agate next to skin = BETTER

• Why people get epilepsy: "Often born with these infirmities; even attract them from superfluity of bad humors and pestilence"

FOR EPILEPSY (10-Month Treatment with Moon Phases):

1. When moon is full, place agate in water for 3 days

2. On 4th day remove, heat water gently (don't boil)

3. Use this water to cook ALL food eaten while moon waning

4. Place agate in ALL drinks (wine or water) during this time

5. Do for 10 months = CURED (unless God unwilling)

FOR LUNACY/MENTAL ILLNESS (5-Month Treatment):

1. When person knows illness impending, 3 days before place agate in water

2. On 4th day remove, gently heat water

3. Cook in it all foods eaten during senseless state

4. Put stone in all beverages

5. Do for 5 months = recover sense and good health (unless God forbids)

6. Why works: "Resuscitated by virtue of stone in gently heated water. Lest injured by heat of stone, foods prepared with water and drinks prepared same way. By moderation and power of God, humors which brought insanity will be sedated"

FOR THEFT PROTECTION:

• Every night before bed

• Carry clearly visible agate through length and width of house in pattern of cross

• Thieves less able to exercise wills, profit less in thievery

XVII. DIAMOND (Adamas)

Formation Time: From mountains of southern shores
Properties: Hot, extreme hardness
Special Quality: Hardest substance, scratches iron
Color: Clear/white

What Hildegard Said:

"Diamond is hot. It is born from mountains of southern shores, which are like glue and glassy as crystal. Like a heart of great strength, a lump arises from the viscous matter. It is so strong and hard that, before it becomes large, it splits from the mountain's viscous matter and falls into water."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR MALICIOUS/EVIL TEMPERAMENT:

• Certain people malicious by nature or devil

• Express nothing willingly, harsh look

• Nearly go out of mind as if mad, then return

• Should OFTEN or ALWAYS place diamond in mouth

• "Of such virtue and great strength that it extinguishes malice and evil in them"

FOR SPECIFIC CHARACTER FLAWS:

• Frenetic: Always keep diamond in mouth

• Liar: Always keep diamond in mouth

• Wrathful: Always keep diamond in mouth

• By its power these evils dispelled

FOR FASTING:

• If unable to fast, place stone in mouth

• Will diminish hunger, enable fasting for longer period

FOR PALSY OR APOPLEXY:

• Place diamond in wine or water for full day

• Drink it

• Gicht will cease (even if so strong limbs threaten to break)

• Apoplexy will diminish

FOR JAUNDICE:

• Put stone in wine or water

• Drink it = CURED

SPECIAL PROPERTY:

"Diamond is of such great hardness that no other hardness is able to overcome it. It scratches and bores through iron. Neither iron nor steel is able to cut into its hardness. Because this stone withstands his power, the devil is hostile to diamond, and so, at night as well as during the day, the devil disdains it."

XVIII. MAGNESIAN STONE / MAGNET (Magnes)

Formation Time: From spume of poisonous worms
Properties: Hot, color of iron, pulls iron
Origin: Toxic worm secretions hardened into stone
Color: Iron gray/black

What Hildegard Said:

"Magnesian stone is hot. It is born from the spume of certain poisonous worms that inhabit particular sand and water...When another venomous worm sees it, he runs eagerly to that spume. He pours out his poison, which is black, on the other worm's spume. The poison forcefully penetrates it, hardening it into stone. And so, Magnesian stone has the color of iron and naturally pulls iron after it."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR MADNESS OR PHANTASMS:

1. Smear Magnesian stone with patient's saliva

2. Rub top of head and forehead with stone

3. Say: "You, raging evil, cede to that virtue by which God changed the strength of the devil who fell from heaven to human goodness"

4. Person will recover senses

WHY IT WORKS:

"The fire of this stone is both useful and harmful: the fire it has from the iron-bearing earth is useful; the fire it has from the poison of the worms is harmful. When stirred up by warm, salubrious human saliva, it overthrows the noxious humors that disturb human understanding."

XIX. LIGURE (Ligurius)

Formation Time: When sun very hot, breeze gentle
Properties: Hot
Origin: FROM LYNX URINE! (Yes, really)
Color: Yellow/orange

What Hildegard Said (Prepare Yourself):

"Ligure is hot. It is born from particular, but not all, urine of the lynx. The lynx is not a lascivious, libidinous, or unclean animal, but is even-tempered. Ligure is not always born from its urine, but only when the sun is very hot and the breeze is light, gentle, and well moderated. This animal sometimes rejoices because of the heat and purity of the sun and the gentleness of the beautiful breeze. When it then emits urine, it digs up the earth with its foot and releases its urine into the hole. The ligure coagulates and develops in the sun's heat."

Medicinal Uses:

⚠️ FOR SEVERE STOMACH PAIN ONLY - DANGEROUS:

1. Put ligure in wine, beer, or water briefly

2. Remove (liquid now suffused with stone's powers)

3. Do for 15 days

4. Give to drink in moderation AFTER person has eaten (NOT fasting)

5. No fever or disease shall be powerful in stomach

6. Stomach will be purged, purified, healed (unless death present)

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING:

"No one else should drink this potion for any reason except stomach pain. He would not be able to live, since its power is so great as to damage his heart and split his head."

FOR DIFFICULT URINATION (Blockage):

1. Place ligure in milk for 1 day (cow or sheep milk, NOT goat)

2. On 2nd day remove, warm milk

3. Sip it

4. Repeat for 5 days

5. Urine will loosen

XX. CRYSTAL (Crystallus)

Formation Time: From cold, nearly black waters
Properties: Cold congealed, cannot be dissolved by heat
Formation Process: "Heart of water" that becomes pure
Color: Clear

What Hildegard Said:

"Crystal is born from certain cold waters, which are nearly black. Cold congeals it into a lump, when air has touched that water in some place. It coagulates into a solid, as if it were the heart of water. The cold again comes over the mass and makes it coagulate even more, and it becomes purer. It is of such great strength that heat cannot dissolve it."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR BLURRY EYES:

• Heat crystal in sun

• Place often, so heated, over eyes

• Why works: "Because it is of a watery nature, it draws bad humors from the eyes"

• Vision improves

FOR NECK SWELLINGS/SCROFULA:

• Heat crystal in sun

• Tie over place for day or night

• Do often = will vanish

FOR ENLARGED/SWOLLEN UVULA:

1. Heat crystal in sun

2. Pour wine over it

3. Drink frequently

4. Often put sun-warmed crystal to throat over uvula = grows smaller

FOR HEART, STOMACH, OR BELLY AILMENTS:

1. Heat crystal in sun

2. Pour water over it

3. Leave crystal in water briefly

4. Remove, frequently drink the water

5. Heart, stomach, or belly will be better

FOR NESSEDEN (Specific Medieval Illness):

• Heat crystal in sun

• Place warmed on place that hurts

• Nessia will be chased away

XXI. PEARLS (Margaritae)

Formation Time: From salty river waters
Properties: Pure, born from richness + saltiness
Color: White

What Hildegard Said:

"Pearls are born in certain salty river waters. The richness of these rivers falls, with saltiness, onto sand, so that the upper area of the water is purified. The richness congeals with the saltiness into pearls, and these pearls are pure."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR PURIFYING WATER:

• Take pearls, place in water

• All slime will gather around pearls

• Top of water will be purified and cleansed

FOR FEVER:

• Frequently drink top of pearl-purified water = BETTER

FOR HEAD AILMENTS:

1. Heat pearls in sun

2. Place around temples

3. Tie with cloth = CURED

XXII. MOTHER-OF-PEARL (Berlin)

Formation Time: From shell animals in rivers
Properties: Contains poison, clouded or lucid depending on source
Quality Levels: Bottom-dwelling (worst), mid-river (better but still poisonous), surface (worst again)
Color: Iridescent

What Hildegard Said:

"Mother-of-pearl comes from certain animals which lie in shells, and live in the sea and in certain large rivers. Some of these shell animals live at the bottom of these rivers and seek their food there. They draw into themselves some of the poisonous matter and the filth from the river bottom. When they spew this out, mother-of-pearl congeals from the poison."

Medicinal Uses:

⚠️ WARNING - NOT RECOMMENDED:

Bottom-dwelling mother-of-pearl:

• Clouded

• Has practically NO usefulness

Mid-river mother-of-pearl:

• More lucid

• Has SOME purity

• "Nevertheless, mother-of-pearl has no use in medicine, except for the more lucid ones, which have less poison than others"

Surface mother-of-pearl:

• From foam and filth

• Bit clouded

• NOT valuable as medicine

• "Brings people more illness than good health"

DANGERS:

• If placed in mouth: "Would attract such weakness to himself, and he would be as sick as if he had consumed poison"

• If placed on skin warming flesh: "Would draw its poison into himself. In this way, he would become weak and sick"

Translation: HILDEGARD SAYS DON'T USE MOTHER-OF-PEARL!

XXIII. CARNELIAN (Cornelion)

Formation Time: From hot air, found in sand
Properties: More hot air than cold
Color: Red/orange

What Hildegard Said:

"Carnelian is more from hot air than from cold and is found in the sand."

Medicinal Uses:

FOR NOSEBLEED:

1. Heat wine

2. Place carnelian in it

3. Give to person to drink

4. Blood will cease to flow

XXIV. ALABASTER (Alabastrum)

Formation: Natural mineral deposit
Properties: Neither correct heat nor cold, tepid in both
Color: White/translucent

What Hildegard Said:

"Alabaster has in it neither correct heat nor correct cold, but is tepid in both. Medicine is scarcely found in it."

Medicinal Uses:

NONE - Not useful for medicine

XXV. LIMESTONE / LIME (Calx)

Formation: Natural rock, becomes lime when burned
Properties: Hot
Color: White/gray

What Hildegard Said:

"Limestone is hot. When it is burned, lime, which is also hot, is made from it. When limestone is reduced to a powder by fire, it is strengthened, and with its fire it glues together earth and sand. But, if a person or animal should eat limestone, its powerful heat would weaken him and make him sick."

Medicinal Uses:

⚠️ DO NOT EAT - DANGEROUS

FOR WORMS EATING FLESH:

1. Take lime + twice as much chalk

2. With wine or water make thin cement

3. With feather, apply to place suffering from worm

4. Do every day until 5th day

5. Then take aloe + 1/3 as much myrrh, crush together

6. With this and fresh wax prepare plaster

7. Put on hempen cloth, tie on distressed place for 12 days

WHY WORKS:

"Lime is hot, and chalk is cold. So the heat of the lime and the cold of the chalk, tempered by the heat and sharpness of the wine, will kill the worms. The heat of the aloe augments the myrrh. It draws the rotten matter out of the wounds and heals the area."

XXVI. OTHER STONES (Ceteri Lapides)

Types: Marble, sandstone, tufaceous limestone, wacke
Formation: Various earth and regions, diverse natures/colors
Properties: Imbalanced (too much moisture or too much dryness)

What Hildegard Said:

"Other stones arise from a variety of earth and from various regions. From the lands in which they are born they draw into themselves diverse natures and varying colors. Among these are marble, sandstone, limestone, tufaceous limestone, and wacke. They are not very valuable as medicine, because they possess too much moisture, which is not balanced by correct dryness, or too much dryness, which is not moistened by correct humidity."

Medicinal Uses:

NOT VERY VALUABLE - Imbalanced properties make them unsuitable

HILDEGARD'S STONE METHODOLOGY: How To Use Them

COMMON PREPARATION METHODS:

1. DIRECT CONTACT:

• Place on skin

• Wear on body

• Put in mouth

• Hold against affected area

2. WATER INFUSION:

• Place stone in water/wine for set days

• Drink the liquid

• Use liquid to cook food

• Bathe in it

3. HEAT + MOISTURE (Most Common):

• Warm stone with breath

• Let saliva dampen it

• Hold over steam

• Collect "sweat" from stone

• Mix sweat with water/wine

4. HEAT APPLICATION:

• Heat in sun

• Heat on hot tile

• Hold over fire

• Apply heated to body

5. COMBINATION WITH PRAYER:

• Specific prayers while applying

• Biblical references

• Invoking God's power

• Commanding demons/illness to leave

WHAT HILDEGARD GOT RIGHT

Validated by Modern Science:

HEAT THERAPY:

• Warm stones for pain relief = still used today

• Principle correct even if theory wrong

MINERAL ABSORPTION:

• Stones in water DO leach minerals

• Transdermal absorption IS possible

• Mineral springs are medicinal

MAGNET:

• Correctly identified magnetic properties of magnetite

• Linked to iron (iron oxide)

• Magnetic therapy still studied today

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS:

• Ritual and belief affect healing

• Placebo effect is real medicine

• Mindfulness practices have value

SOME ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES:

• Certain stones (copper-containing) have antimicrobial effects

• Silver has antibacterial properties

• Some truth in "purifying" water

SAFETY WARNINGS FOR MODERN READERS

🚨 DO NOT ATTEMPT:

1. NEVER PUT STONES IN YOUR MOUTH without:

• Knowing if stone is toxic (many are!)

• Professional guidance

• Understanding choking hazard

2. NEVER DRINK STONE-INFUSED WATER without:

• Knowing stone composition

• Testing for heavy metals

• Professional oversight

• Some stones are TOXIC (lead, arsenic, etc.)

3. NEVER USE STONES INSTEAD OF MODERN MEDICINE:

• Epilepsy requires medical treatment

• Bacterial infections need antibiotics

• Mental illness needs professional care

• Childbirth complications need hospital

4. NEVER EAT LIMESTONE/CHALK:

• Toxic as Hildegard warned

• Can cause serious internal damage

5. CARBUNCLE EXTREME CAUTION:

• Don't leave any hot stone on skin too long

• Risk of burns

• Hildegard's warnings were serious

THE REAL VALUE: What We Can Learn

Historical Medicine:

• Shows medieval understanding of disease

• Documents pre-scientific medical theory

• Reveals intersection of theology + medicine

Observation Skills:

• Hildegard was systematically observing

• Documented what seemed to work

• Created comprehensive encyclopedia

Holistic Approach:

• Combined physical + spiritual

• Recognized mind-body connection

• Integrated prayer with treatment

Ritual and Healing:

• Specific procedures created structure

• Prayers provided psychological comfort

• 9-day treatments allowed natural healing time

Some Practical Wisdom:

• Heat therapy for pain = valid

• Mineral water has benefits = valid

• Belief affects healing = valid

• System and routine helpful = valid

BOTTOM LINE: Using Hildegard's Stone Medicine Today

✅ SAFE TO TRY (With Common Sense):

• Wearing stones as jewelry

• Meditation while holding stones

• Hot stone massage (professional only)

• Collecting/appreciating beautiful gems

• Learning geological/historical facts

⚠️ PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION:

• Any internal use (drinking stone water)

• Putting stones in mouth

• Using instead of modern medicine

• Following medieval preparation methods

• Treating serious illness with stones

❌ NEVER DO:

• Use toxic stones internally

• Eat limestone or chalk

• Treat epilepsy with emerald ritual only

• Attempt exorcism instead of psychiatric care

• Put faith in medieval medical theory

HILDEGARD'S STONE WISDOM IN HER OWN WORDS

On the Purpose of Stones:

"God willed that they would be held in honor and blessing on earth and used for medicine."

On the Devil's Hatred:

"The devil abhors, detests, and disdains precious stones."

On Balance:

"The nature of these precious stones seeks honest and useful effects and rejects people's depraved and evil uses, in the same way virtues cast off vices and vices are unable to engage with virtues."

On Divine Source:

"Every stone contains fire and moisture."

On Proper Use:

"Its strength is unusual, and it should be feared and used with much reverence and concern." (About carbuncle)

FINAL THOUGHTS: Respecting the Real Hildegard

Hildegard's stone medicine was:

• Systematic medieval medical practice

• Based on humoral theory + theology

• Detailed, specific, practical instructions

• Combined natural observation + divine revelation

• PRE-SCIENTIFIC but thoughtful

Hildegard's stone medicine was NOT:

• Modern "crystal healing" energy work

• Chakra balancing (Indian concept unknown to her)

• Vibrational frequency medicine

• Quantum energy healing

• New Age spirituality

To honor Hildegard:

• Study what she ACTUALLY wrote

• Understand her medieval context

• Learn from observational insights

• Respect limits of medieval science

• Don't project modern concepts onto her

The Real Treasure: Not that medieval stone medicine cures modern diseases, but that a 12th-century woman systematically documented 26 stones with theological origin stories, formation theories, specific medical applications, detailed procedures, and spiritual dimensions - creating a comprehensive encyclopedia that reveals how medieval minds understood healing, nature, and God's design.

That's the legacy worth preserving. ✨

Sources:

• Hildegard von Bingen, Physica, Book 4 (Stones)

• All 26 stone entries documented from original Latin text

• Direct quotes from Priscilla Throop translation

Disclaimer: This is HISTORICAL and EDUCATIONAL content only. Do NOT use as medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare providers. Many medieval remedies are dangerous, ineffective, or based on incorrect theories. Modern medicine exists for good reason - use it. This blog documents what Hildegard wrote, not what actually works.