Maria Treben

Maria Treben, born in Bohemia in 1907, became a renowned Austrian writer and herbalist, gaining significant fame in the 1980s for her publications on natural healing.

After facing displacement following World War II, she and her husband found refuge in Austria, settling in Grieskirchen. Treben's literary success stemmed from her books, most notably 'Health Through God's Pharmacy,' which achieved widespread international readership, translated into 24 languages and selling millions of copies. She actively shared her knowledge through seminars and natural health conferences across Europe, contributing to a resurgence of interest in traditional medicine and herbalism by the end of the 20th century. Treben passed away in 1991.

Her approach involved utilizing traditional German and Eastern European herbal remedies, often incorporating local plants and emphasizing dietary advice alongside her treatments. She addressed a variety of ailments, from chronic conditions like diabetes to everyday issues such as insomnia and constipation, sometimes employing well-known remedies like Swedish bitters. While her work was influential, some of her methods and ingredients were considered controversial. Nevertheless, she remains a significant reference for those interested in European medicinal herbs.

Born Maria Günzel in 1907 in Žatec, Bohemia (then part of Austria-Hungary), Maria Treben was the middle of three daughters. Her father, a printing shop owner, passed away when she was ten. Following World War I, her homeland became part of Czechoslovakia. A significant upheaval occurred at the end of World War II in 1945 when Maria and her husband, Ernst Gottfried Treben, were among those expelled from Czechoslovakia. They spent several years in refugee camps before finding a permanent home in Austria, settling in Grieskirchen in 1951.

Maria Treben achieved widespread recognition for her books on herbal remedies, particularly 'Health Through God's Pharmacy' and 'Maria Treben's Cures.' 'Health Through God's Pharmacy' became an international bestseller, translated into 24 languages and selling over eight million copies. She actively promoted her methods by giving seminars and speaking at natural health conferences throughout Germany, Austria, and other parts of Europe, drawing large audiences. Treben is widely credited with pioneering the renewed interest in natural remedies and traditional healing practices that emerged towards the close of the 20th century.

Treben's healing practices were rooted in traditional German and Eastern European remedies passed down through generations. She exclusively used local herbs and consistently paired her herbal treatments with recommendations for dietary changes. Among the herbs she frequently utilized were Thyme, Greater Celandine, Ramsons, Speedwell, Calamus, Camomile, Nettle, and Lady's Mantle. She applied these remedies to a wide spectrum of health issues, including psoriasis, constipation, diabetes, and insomnia. Her personal recipes and established traditional cures, such as Swedish bitters which she viewed as a universal remedy, were central to her practice. Some of her recommendations, particularly concerning less common ingredients in recipes like the greater Swedish bitters, generated controversy, yet her expertise in European medicinal herbs continues to be a widely consulted resource.