Culpeper's Complete Herbal: from democratising medicine to a seminal historical text on herb-lore. This edition is both a restoration and a love letter; with plant identification, updated language, and hand-restored botanical prints for each entry.
Culpeper's Complete Herbal began as a way to democratise medicine: even its original printing was in English rather than Latin (the language of medicine and the learned at the time). Originally published as The Complete Herbal and English Physician Enlarged, its use over time has shifted from a household book of cures into a seminal historical text on medical (and magical) herbalism, remaining in continuous print since it was first published in 1653 (a record only exceeded by the Bible).
This edition preserves the classic in its original form, but brings additions that make it accessible to the modern reader, and the first edition to combine meticulously researched plant identifications, stunning illustrations (hand-restored from antique botanical prints) that correctly match the plants described, along with minor language updates to improve readability. These changes aim to counter nearly 400 years of linguistic and taxonomic drift so the reader of today can understand it from the perspective of a reader centuries ago; keeping alive Culpeper’s unique writing style and sense of humour.
Beyond that, Nyx has designed and curated a number of appendices for quick reference, including identification of plants and materials mentioned in the text, glossaries, and complete referencing of the other authors and works cited by Culpeper.
Whether your interest is in herb-lore, medical history, or magical herbalism, this edition of Culpeper's Complete Herbal provides the entire original text in two volumes: The Herbal (containing plant profiles and preparations), and The Dispensatory (including his translation of the Pharmacopoeia Londinensis, as well as a summary of 17th-century humoral medicine).
This publication is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be regarded as a medical text, nor medical advice.
Please, please, please do not take anything in this book as actual medical advice! While many of these plants are still used in modern medical herbalism, we're much more aware of safety, impacts, and interactions now, so if this is what you're looking for, there are other books on this topic, written by modern experts, who have an understanding of how to use herbs safely - and please consult with a suitably-qualified expert before starting any new medical treatments or regimens.
However...
Are you interested in plants and botanical history?
Culpeper's Herbal is a marvellous reference of plants common in the London area in the 17th century, their names, and the beliefs surrounding them (plus you'll love the illustrations)!
Are you interested in the history of medicine or medical herbalism?
This book was used as a genuine medical resource until the advent of modern medicine almost 200 years later!
Are you interested in herb-lore or magical herbalism?
Culpeper was one of the leading medical astrologers (to the extent that he was actually accused of witchcraft in an attempt to discredit him), with each herb profile including astrological associations, temperaments, their actions within Hippocrates' humoural medical system, and a bunch of other beliefs and folklore mixed in. A huge portion of modern magical associations of plants derive directly from their histories of medical uses.
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