Did you know this fun fact about your favorite pumpkin spice treat?
Saint Hildegard of Bingen is one of only four female Doctors of the Catholic Church. She is known for her gifts in art, medicine, music, herbology, cooking, and writing.
Among the broad legacy she left behind was her interesting introduction of the pumpkin spice flavor we know and love.
Spice that Brings Joy
Before it became the overwhelmingly popular ingredient of all things Fall, a Catholic nun was sharing the healing properties of the combination of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Today, we refer to this delectable combination as pumpkin spice!
Of course, she didn’t refer to this spice combination as “Pumpkin Spice” herself, per se. Instead, Saint Hildegard indicated that this blend of spices brings joy.
Personally, I receive a lot of joy from this seasonal spice! She was right!
In Saint Hildegard Von Bingen’s classic work on health and healing (titled Physica), she talks about the ability of cinnamon to brighten a bad mood, and praises the ingredients of nutmeg and cloves for their warmth.
“Take some nutmeg and an equal weight of cinnamon and a bit of cloves, and pulverize them. Then make small cakes with this and fine whole wheat flour, and water. Eat them often. It will calm all bitterness of the heart and mind, open your heart and impaired senses, and make your mind cheerful. It purifies your senses and diminishes all harmful humors in you. It gives good liquid to your blood, and makes you strong.“ - From Physica, St Hildegard von Bingen, (1151-1158)
The actual combination of spices began to be sold as a mix for those making homemade pumpkin-flavored treats. Instead of buying all the spices separately, they were given the convenience of buying one.
So, while Saint Hildegard isn’t officially recognized as the muse behind the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, we can now see her influence in this fall favorite!
As an added bonus, her feast day is a sort of Fall opener on September 17.
You can find more information on this incredible saint here.
Here is a prayer for Saint Hildegard’s Intercession:
Father, Source of Life, you have bestowed on St. Hildegard of Bingen many excellent graces. Help us to follow her example of meditating on your ineffable Majesty and to follow you so that we, amidst the darkness of this world, recognise the Light of your clarity to cling to you without fail. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.