Classic Herbal Text from 1653

I wanted to share with you a website: www.bibliomania.com. This site has over 2,000 free texts for your reading/studying pleasure.

One historic textbook on herbs—Culpeper's Complete Herbal (1653 edition)—can be found on the site. Culpeper's Complete Herbal is an amazing source of information on all things herbal and was written by an English physician, Nicholas Culpeper.

In his Epistle to the Reader, Culpeper relates how he wrote this book:

“I consulted with my two brothers, DR. REASON and DR. EXPERIENCE, and took a voyage to visit my mother NATURE, by whose advice, together with the help of DR. DILIGENCE, I at last obtained my desire; and, being warned by MR. HONESTY, a stranger in our days, to publish it to the world, I have done it.”

Culpeper's Complete Herbal is a very straightforward book. Written over 350 years ago, it includes:

• Detailed uses of over 300 herbs commonly used medicinally in that time
• Directions for making syrups, juices, pills, etc.
• Culpeper's lists of what should be included in the pharmacy (“dispensatory”) of English physicians or families

I often go back and read up on the herbs I suggest to clients to get the historical perspective. I think you'll also enjoy this herbal classic.