Culpeper's Color Herbal

by David Potterton (Editor), David Potterton (Editor), E.J. Shellard (Foreword)

As charming and elegant as the 17th-century original, this groundbreaking herbal guide combines Nicholas Culpeper’s fascinating text with up-to-date information and modern full-color illustrations. Culpeper—a famed astrologer, physician, and author—covered almost 400 herbs and plants from Aconite and Adder’s Tongue to Yew and Yucca. For each entry, he gave both the Latin and common names, details on where to find it, its flowering time, astrology, and medicinal virtues.  Following the alphabetical list of herbs comes the inventory of illnesses and their cures, as it appeared in 1649.  Many of these plants still occupy a prominent position in the dispensaries of today’s herbalists, so in addition to Culpeper’s entertaining and often caustic comments and descriptions, there are notes on contemporary usage by an established practitioner

Genres: Gardening, Reference, Nonfiction, Herbs, Health

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

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.