A mystic since earliest childhood, Saint Hildegard gained renown as a Benedictine abbess who gathered many nuns around her. Her accomplishments are remarkable. Her volumes of mystical theology, a variety of liturgical music with poetic verse, her musical morality play, and more, earned her the title of Doctor of the Church, bestowed by Pope Benedict XVI.

ÒI spoke and wrote these things not by the invention of my heart or that of any other person, but as by the secret mysteries of God I heard and received them in the heavenly places. And again I heard a voice from Heaven saying to me, 'Cry out, therefore, and write thus!'Ó

Her medical and physiological writings spring from her experience helping in and then leading the monastery's herbal garden and infirmary, as well as the theoretical information she likely gained through her wide-ranging reading in the monastery's library. As she gained practical skills in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, she combined physical treatment of physical diseases with holistic methods centered on "spiritual healing". She became well known for her healing powers involving the practical application of tinctures, herbs, and precious stones.

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