Culpeper's Complete Herbal

Rating:
Summary: A view on Medieval/Renaissance Herbalism and Medicine
Review: I first heard of this book as being an excellent primary source for herbs and herbalism from the 16/17th Centuries.

It is very comprehensive and aside from a listing of each herb and its properties, it has several sections teaching the fundiments of medicine of the time. It covers:

* how a herb is assigned to a planet
* how a degree of strength is determined and what it means
* what 'humours' it affects and what 'humours' (bodily fluid systems) are
* and much much more.

If you are looking for a source to use for alternate medicine then this is NOT the best starting place. There are better works of a modern nature out there for that. However, as a back-up resource or a way of learning about the time when medicine was still holistic and not too scentific then this is he book for you.

The Wordsworth edition is in paperback and easy on the pocket. This publisher takes certain classic works and keeps them in print in small runs from time to time by demand. This means that although the book may be not immediately available, it will beome available again in the near future.

I hope this helps you.

Rating:
Summary: Culpeper's Complete Herbal
Review: If you have an interest in Herbs and their culinary, mystic and medicinal usages, both modern and historical, then this IS the book for you. It is beautifully illustrated and text is written in both medieval English and modern English.

Each plant (it includes some fruits and trees as well) is pictured and the habitat is described. Along with each description is any affinity to a ruling planet as well.

My only critisism is that it contains a great deal of jargon, you will need to read up on herbalism per se to understand how to make tinctures etc. That said the book is a reference to the plants not the art.

I have had my (well thumbed copy)for over 10 years now and it is a constant companion to my interests in the natural power of the Earth and her fruits.