Culpeper's Colour Herbal

by Nicholas Culpeper, Bob Press (Contributor), E.J. Shellard (Contributor)

hardbook is the essence of Culpeper's work on herbal medicine. describes how plants can be both useful and harmful

Genres: Gardening, Reference, Nonfiction, Herbs, Health

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Nicholas Culpeper was an English botanist, herbalist, physician, and astrologer. His published books include The English Physician (1652) and the Complete Herbal (1653), which contain a rich store of pharmaceutical and herbal knowledge, and Astrological Judgement of Diseases from the Decumbiture of the Sick (1655), which is one of the most detailed documents we have on the practice of medical astrology in Early Modern Europe.

Culpeper spent the greater part of his life in the English outdoors cataloging hundreds of medicinal herbs. He criticized what he considered the unnatural methods of his contemporaries, writing: "This not being pleasing, and less profitable to me, 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 came from a long line of notable people including Thomas Culpeper, the lover of Catherine Howard (also a distant relative) who was sentenced to death by Catherine's husband, King Henry VIII.

Reviews

[Cicadinae · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is an abridged version of Culpeper's original, it's very helpful to have large illustrations and updated information on each plant. However, for the full effect of the herbal lore, you'd probably want to go to the original source (many free versions available online). There is also not much information in here for practical use, though there are lists at the end that could be a good starting point for research. I am glad to see that Potterton recommends that the reader seek help from professional herbalists instead of experimenting on their own.

[Rose English · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly remarkable book I have a PDF copy of 'Culpeper's Complete Herbal' from 1800 with its old fashioned English. No illustrations but a fascinating book none the less. One which encouraged me to seek out a modern day version and I was lucky enough to find this hardback copy from 1983 with it's beautiful illustrations.

It contains some of the original text of Nicholas Culpeper along with his ideas of astrology being of great influence in herbal medicine. The illustrations by Michael Stringer are pretty and David Potterton has done a great job of editing and adding in the use of the plant in today's culture.

I've been using it as a research book but makes for fantastic reading. Well worth checking out if you have an interest in plants and a history of their use in early medicine.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-have for any herbalist.

While some of the medical information is outdated or in some cases proven to be incorrect by modern science, the botanical info on the plants is very useful. The images are not as detailed as they might be in some other herbals as they are not full-page, but given the amount of plants included in the book I think they serve their purpose just fine.

Definitely worth getting a copy.

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep this valuable resource with my cooking books. There's nothing like Thyme tea to open the bronchial passages or sooth the nerves at the end of a day. A 1/2 tsp. of dried thyme steeped in 2 cups boiling water for 20 minutes will yield 2 generous cups of calming tea. Culpeper studied the ancient Greeks well and was instrumental in preserving some of their incredible knowledge about the healing properties of plants.

[Marcel Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the name suggests this is a gorgeously illustrated Herbal. I bought this book more as an aid to plant identification in the UK though Culpeper’s observations and herbal practice makes interesting reading. However I would not recommend this book as a resource but it makes a beautiful companion to other more in depth herbal resources and for those interested in the great sixteenth century herbalist and the medicinal values he placed on his herbs.

[Silverose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful herbal that includes color illustrations of each plant as it grows wild and known medicinal values and uses.

[Avery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for herbal lore. This edition also has helpful illustrations. Full review here.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful to those serious about learning about the wide-world of herbs. Love the colorful drawings. Tells where /when they can be found & past /present uses.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful botanical illustrations, humorous to see the “old fashioned” uses. Not beneficial as a modern/North American guide, but entertaining nonetheless.

[Patricia Morgunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every self respecting Witch/Healer/ Herbalist should have this book.