There are a handful of foods that are readily identified with Hildegard including quince fruit. In her description of quince in Physica, she notes that it is healthy and not harmful for both sick and healthy individuals. In other words, it is a fruit that can be consumed regularly.

Dr. Wighard Strehlow, a contemporary Hildegard physician with a practice on Lake Constance, Germany, highly recommends quince juice as part of one’s regular diet. In 2017, Reverend Shanon (founder of the Hildegard Haus), had an opportunity to visit with Dr. Strehlow and stroll the Hildegardens surrounding his clinic which include, among many other herbs and plants, a beautiful quince tree. In his book, Hildegard of Bingen’s Medicine (1988), he wrote the following:

“Who would have ever thought that the fragrant golden quinces, which ripen every fall in gardens, can so thoroughly purge and decontaminate the body, so that the healthy person never gets arthritis and the arthritic person is healed? Eating quinces often is one of the best preventatives against all forms of rheumatism… Every Hildegard patient should enjoy a quince cure in the fall. Quince can be cooked for twenty minutes in water or wine, or baked like apples in a cake or pie. Quince marmalade, jelly and candy, in which almonds and glagant can be mixed, are tasty ways to enjoy this fruit” (106).

(please note, this is not intended to be offered as medical advice but a demonstration of how some doctors are applying her herbal remedies)

Here in the Hildegard Haus gardens, we have two types of quince growing. In 2017, we planted three quince bushes near the front steps of the church. The bushes were a gift from the board of directors at that time to celebrate the importance of quince in the charism of St. Hildegard. We were unaware that the bushes were ornamental and not fruit-bearing. However, they produce the most beautiful bright orange flowers in the spring and are a perfect border for the front sidewalk.

In 2023, the Community of St. Hildegard purchased a fruit-bearing quince tree. While quince trees grow well in Northeast Ohio, they are not common and hard to find. After locating one (with the help of a local horticulturist), the fruit-bearing tree was planted in the back lot of the church on the fence line near South St.  From this tree, we plan to harvest enough fruit in the future to make quince jam and jelly for the Hildegard community.

“Its fruit is hot and dry and has a good balance in it!” (109)