From St. Hildegard of Bingen's abbey to your blender, this smoothie recipe features a rich blend of medieval ingredients designed to give your immune system a boost. As a renowned mystic and healer, St. Hildegard advocated for the intake of specific grains, nuts, and herbs for wellness. This delicious smoothie attempts to bring some of her recommendations into the modern kitchen, making it easy for both adults and children to enjoy.
Note: This post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advise. Consult a physician before using any herbal product, particularly if you are pregnant or on medications.
Ingredients and Their Benefits
According to St. Hildegard
Spelt (Triticum spelta)
The cornerstone of this wellness smoothie is spelt, an ancient grain praised by St. Hildegard for its mildness and nutritional value. Spelt is rich in protein and healthy fats, providing a lower glycemic response than other grains. It invigorates the blood and is beneficial for both the healthy and the sick.
Almond Butter and Almond Milk
Almonds are lauded by St. Hildegard for their ability to strengthen the body against illness. Almonds support liver function, alleviate headaches, and promote lung health, she says. We use both almond butter and almond milk in this recipe to maximize these benefits.
Dates
Dates are known for their antioxidant properties, which help fight disease. St. Hildegard recommended cooking dates to fully extract their health benefits. Simmering the dates with a bit of water on the stove, covered, before adding them to your smoothie will enhance their effectiveness.
Spices
The spice blend in this smoothie is recommended by St. Hildegard for warding off illness. The blend includes cranesbill, pellitory, and nutmeg (we shared the recipe for this blend in another post here). Additionally, we're adding cinnamon. Cinnamon is praised by St. Hildegard for dispelling bad humors and supplying good humors (i.e., blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile). The correct balance of these four humors is essential for maintaining health.
Immune-Boosting Smoothie Recipe Inspired by St. Hildegard of Bingen
Ingredients
- 2 bananas, frozen
- 1/2 cup spelt flakes (available on Amazon here)
- 3 dates, cooked
- 2 tbsp almond butter
- 1 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (plus more if needed)
- 1/2 tsp cranesbill/pellitory/nutmeg blend (available here, or make it yourself using the recipe here)
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
Enjoy this nutritious smoothie, bringing the wisdom of St. Hildegard of Bingen into your regular routine!
Further reading
- Recipe: Joyful Spelt Pancakes à la St. Hildegard — another spelt-based recipe drawn from her recommendations, this time for breakfast
- St Hildegard's Cure for Coughs & Sore Throats — a companion remedy for cold and flu season
- Fact vs. Fiction: 7 Myths About St Hildegard von Bingen — historians separate the real St. Hildegard from the popular myths surrounding her
