Culpeper's Complete Herbal (Vol 1: The Herbal): Over 300 English Herbs and their Medicinal & Occult Qualities

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 humoural medicine).

This publication is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be regarded as a medical text, nor medical advice.