History of Herbs: Culpeper's Complete Herbal & English Physician

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around "Culpeper’s Complete Herbal and English Physician," exploring its historical context, beliefs about the properties of herbs, and the potential inclusion of illustrations in the original text. Participants share their impressions and resources related to the book.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • One participant highlights the beliefs about the properties of herbs as described in Culpeper's work, specifically mentioning the herb "Adder/serpent's tongue" and its astrological associations.
  • Another participant provides a link to access Culpeper's book, noting its authorship and historical significance.
  • A participant expresses their enjoyment of the book after reading about specific herbs, indicating a positive personal experience with the text.
  • One participant questions whether the original edition of the book included illustrations, suggesting curiosity about its presentation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express appreciation for Culpeper's work and share resources, but there is no consensus on the presence of illustrations in the original text, leaving that question unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference astrological influences on herbal properties, which may depend on specific interpretations and definitions that are not fully elaborated in the discussion.

Evo
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This site is a treasure trove of some of the then common beliefs about the properties of herbs.

One of my favorites is "Culpeper’s Complete Herbal and English Physician, published in 1814"

Adder/serpent's tongue

Government and virtues. It is an herb under the dominion of the Moon and Cancer, and therefore if the weakness of the retentive faculty be caused by an evil influence of Saturn in any part of the body governed by the Moon, or under the dominion of Cancer, this herb cures it by sympathy; It cures these diseases after specified, in any part of the body under the influence of Saturn, by antipathy.

What parts of the body are under each planet and sign, and also what disease may be found in my astrological judgment of diseases; <snip> under the dominion of what planets they are, may be found in my Ephemeris for the year 1651. In both which you shall find the chaff of authors blown away by the fame of Dr. Reason, and nothing but rational truths left for the ingenious to feed upon.

http://www.bookofherbs.com/index.htm
 
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If you want to read the book by Culpeper, it's here

http://www.med.yale.edu/library/historical/culpeper/culpeper.htm

Culpeper, Nicholas, 1616-1654.
The English physitian: or an astrologo-physical discourse of the vulgar herbs of this nation.
 
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I have now read Culpepper on both Sweet Basil and Good Henry, and am ready to swear that this is an uncommonly charming book.
 
I'm wondering if the original would have had drawings.
 

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