What nationality was the Benedicte mystic who recommended the use of Bear’s grease?
Bear's grease Bear's grease was a popular treatment for men with hair loss from at least as early as 1653 until about the First World War. The myth of its effectiveness is based on a belief that as bears are very hairy, their fat would assist hair growth in others. Nicholas Culpeper, the English botanist and herbalist wrote in 1653, in his "The Physician's Library", "Bears Grease staies [stops] the falling off of the hair." Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), Benedictine mystic, composer and woman of letters, also recommended the use of the substance in her "Physica" (repeated in her "Causae et Curae"). A number of cosmetics companies sold bear's grease, and it was a trademark of Atkinsons of London, who sold "Bears Grease Pomade".
Zwarte Piet Zwarte Piet (] ; English: Black Pete or Black Peter, Luxembourgish: "Schwaarze Péiter", Indonesian: "Pit Hitam" ) is the companion of Saint Nicholas (Dutch: "Sinterklaas" , Luxembourgish: "Kleeschen" , Indonesian: "Sinterklas" ) in the folklore of the Low Countries. The character first appeared in an 1850 book by Amsterdam schoolteacher Jan Schenkman, and is commonly depicted as a blackamoor. Traditionally, Zwarte Piet is said to be black because he is a Moor from Spain. Those portraying Zwarte Piet typically put on make-up and colourful Renaissance attire, in addition to curly wigs, red lipstick, and earrings. In recent years, the character has become the subject of controversy, especially in the Netherlands.