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Culpeper Herbal Therapeutics
Culpeper Herbal Therapeutics
dle of the 19th century with the his herbal therapeutics, I will Lancashire, a herbal st with
emergence of Virchow's cel- concenhate here on two key
12 years' experience n pri-
lular pathology. This. how- writings, which, read
ever, was the moment of {'i alongside his herbal, pro- vate pract ce, including
*Center Photo: Perm jssion of Lloyd Library and Museum, Cincinnati, OH lournal of the American Herbalists Guild 19
ried in the blood and spirits, and consequently the fre
in the betly' and the ability of the organism to com-
plete digestion and assimilation of nutriments' Less
than optimal digestion allows undigested or crude
humours to enter the body and to provide a focus
where they settle for pathological processes to begin
(Tobyn 1997, part 2, section 2).
20 Spring/Summer 2QQ2
Hrstory and Phrlosephy
cold and moist other has few discharges and needs cooling, soothing
soft pulse; body movement slow; fearful mind; has no and moistening medicines appropriate to the head. The
anger or fight various herbs listed above are not interchangeable but
require selection according to the totality of signs and
Rx. Ruta graveolens (rue), rosemary, Crocus sativus the overall presentation of the patient, and with the
(saffron), lemon balm, marigold angelica, knowledge of the operations of each herb listed in the
C inn am o mum v er um (cinnamon) table below
Rx. bleeding
phlegm (cold and moist) However, Culpeper also added to this publication some
Hyssopus fficinalis (hyssop), Cytisus scoparius astrological material, namely the As trologo -Phy sicall
(broom), Sambucus canadensis (elder flowers). Discourse. ln its Premonitory Epistle to the Reader
Culpeper relates the seven planets to bodily organs and
water
functions, and gives a basic outline of the three worlds
elder flowers, bark or leaves, broom.
of hermetic philosophy- the elemental (sublunary), the
black bile celestial and the intellectual - by which the reader may
Senna alexandrina (senna), Fumaria officinalis understand something ofthe place ofastrology in the
(fumitory), Cuscuta europaea (dodder), whey. work of healing. Culpeper's view was that physick (i.e.
medicine) without astrology is "like a lamp without
Gentle purges for thick phlegm or black bile should be
oll" (Culpeper (1656)). The way to prescribe medi-
prescribed writes Culpeper, with pungent, cutting
cines is according to their planetary rulers, and both
medicines to break up the humour for easier evacua-
the timing of and manner of 'potentizing' remedies
tion, while astringent herbs should be avoided.
astrologically is mentioned in several places in his
Generally, herbs which strengthen the heart and stom-
herbal, iilustrated by use ofa horoscope at the back of
ach, and carminatives for the bowels, should be added.
the herbal. This section has been excised from all edi-
The mixture can be taken before bed.
22 Spring/Summer 2002
Hnstory en@! Fhf,flosophy
tions I have seen dated after the 1670's. Although the were due to excess cold in the body and coldness was
occult or hidden qualities ofherbs are briefly discussed said to induce moisture, as the cold of night brings the
below, space does not allow here to explore the astro- wet dew with it. Naturally, however, the potential of
logical approach, and I must refer you to my book herbal remedies was not rigidly reduced to a straight-
(Tobyn, 1997, section 4 and appendices). jacket of degrees of the four qualities, but each had
their unique identity and healing action. For instance,
The Manifest Qualities of Herbs marigold is considered a herb hot in the 2nd degree yet
Galen had classified herbs by the action of bringing also brings moisture to the body.
heat, cold, dryness or moisture in one of four degrees
Herbs inducing cold in the body are fewer in number,
to the body, or a particular organ ofthe body. Heat and
and were needed less often. Many are classified as
cold are the active qualities that alter dryness and
cold and dry in the lst or 2nd degree, such as coltsfoot,
moisture, the passive qualities. The principle of med-
ical treatment is one of allopathy, that is, treating with
yarrow and dandelion, while others were notably cold
and moist, like sweet violet, chickweed and white pond
opposites. Thus, for a cold and moist condition, hea!
ing and drying remedies are employed while for a cold lily. Herbs cold in the 3rd and 4th degree are narcotic
and dry condition, a heating and moistening approach and, iftaken in excess could extinguish the natural heat
is taken. Hippocrates had objected that simply to spec- ofthe body entirely and kill the patient. In this group
ify a heating remedy was insufficient. It also had to be are opium poppy, deadly nightshade and henbane.
stated whether the medicine should be drying (astrin-
gent) or bland (moistening). The Hidden Qualities of Herbs
Culpeper paid parlicular attention to the occult or hid-
Physicians considered the human body in health to be den qualities of herbal medicines. This attention
hot in the first degree, and naturally moist. This is the reflected his interest in Hermetic philosophy, which
temperatue and temperament of healthy blood which was very much in vogue in the late 15th, 16th and the
carries the innate heat and vitality. (Humans are con- first half of the 17th centuries. He laid out the basic
stituted by around 80% water, the "radical moisture" tenets of the philosophy in his description of the three
ofthe body was thought essential to keep the flame of worlds: the elemental (sublunary), celestial and intel-
light alive). A focus on preserving "radical moisture" lectual (Culpepea 1651)
ensured the continuation of health and longevity.
Herbs hot in the first degree, mild enough in heat not The sublunary world encompassed all life on planet
to have a drying effect on the body, could be used to Earth. Everything in it is materially composed of the
maintain or restore the innate heat. Milk thistle is one four elements in varying proportions that determine
such herb, since it "cleanses the blood exceedingly: the manifest qualities which are perceived through the
and in Spring, if you please to boil the tender plant five human senses. It is at this level that the manifest
(but cut off the prickles unless you have a mind to qualities of herbal medicines are also discerned and,
choke yourselfl it will change your blood as the season when coupled with age-old empirical knowledge of
changes, and that is the way to be safe" (Culpeper, what effects a particular herb can have on the body,
1656, under Our Lady's Thistle). Many medicinal leads to a rational and empirical approach to the use of
herbs shared the qualities ofheat (and dryness) in the herbs as medicines.
2nd degree, the extra degree of heat implying that a
Above the sublunary world and influencing it, lay the
cold imbalance of the body needed medicinal correc-
celestial world ofthe planets and fixed stars. These are
tion. Herbs hot in the 3rd degree, such as juniper, rue
connected not by a causal relationship, but one of cor-
and angelica, and in the 4th degree such as mustard
respondence and mirroring, according to the Hermetic
and garlic, represented much stronger medicines
which must be prescribed in smaller doses or for a lim-
axiom "as above, so below". A set of occult corre-
spondences linked the seven traditional planets with all
ited period since just the right amount of heat was to
matter in the sublunary world as a part of the intercon-
be applied to correct a given degree ofcoldness in the
nectedness of all things in the cosmos. Since the
body. The application ofan excess ofheat was feared
human being (microcosm) was an epitome of the cos-
to create a new condition manifesting as excess heat
mos (macrocosm), Culpeper could argue for the pres-
(Tobyn, 1999).
ence of a microcosmic Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus,
Herbs which induced heat greater than the natural heat Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in the human body. Every
ofthe body necessarily induced an increase in the pas- herb in Culpeper's herbal is given a planetary 'ruler.'
sive quality ofdryness. This was considered beneficial The seat of the microcosmic Sun, for instance, lies in
since many illnesses, and certainly chronic conditions, the heart where the vital spirits ofthe body are created
24 Spring/Summer 2O02
Hrstory end Fhillosophy
the main actions or operations required in herbs to biting and pungent and help to open blood vessels
treat these organs. to bring more blood to the area or to disperse a stag-
nant blood humour in a part. Note that herbs must
The Operations or Actions of Herbs also be drying in order to open passages in the liver.
The third part of Culpeper's method rn A Key to Galen A col4 dry quality would in theory belong to herbs
and Hypocrates, their Method of Physick covers the which close offvessels.
specific actions (properties or operations) ofherbs. In 5. Attenuating Herbs (cutting and thinning) -These
the list below I have not mentioned herbs used to treat herbs are usually heating but not always so, and
external wounds, nor those which increase fertility. taste sharp, sour or bitter, dilating rather than con-
Purgative medicines cleanse the body by carrying tracting the tongue. By their penetration they "cut
away the offending humour - differentiating them from up" thick humours so that the body can more easi-
dispersing diaphoretics- but not all cleansers are ly consume and expel them. They are used to open
purgatives. Some herbs fight against poison in the obstructions ofthe bowels due to tough and viscous
body although they are not, in Culpeper's sense, true humours, to expectorate phlegm from the lungs,
alexipharmics. and to bring on menstruation. Culpeper recom-
mends a gentle purge before using attenuating
1. Emollient llerbs - These correct hardness of a herbs, in case their heating effect scatters only a
part. Hardness may result either from thick portion of a humour and leaves a remainder in a
humours congealed by cold, or by distension and thickened and more obstructive state.
stretching of a part full of a humow. In the latter
case, since moisture may be the cause of distention,
6. Drawing and Repelling Herbs -These are used to
draw the innate heat and the spirits to an over-
the most appropriate emollient must be drying to
cooled part ofthe body, or in external applications
consume the moisture. Generally, however, an
to draw humours to a place safely away from anoth-
emollient should manifest qualities of heat and
er. They also draw poisons or corrupt humours out
moisture to counter the cold" dry impaction of a
of the body and may be used to help the crisis of a
humour. Emollient medicines may taste sweet or disease. Culpeper deems them hotter in quality than
oily (never sour, salry rough, sharp, astringent or attenuating herbs. Repelling medicines drive away
very hot) and may be prescribed with cutting med- an influx of a humour and are astringent, cooling
icines to aid penetration ofthe congealed humour. and thin. A good example is vinegar of roses
applied to the head in hot headaches. These can be
2. Loosening Herbs - These loosen or relax and are
used at the beginning of treatment to prevent an
similar in quality to emollients, but are used to treat
increase in offending humour, which will be dis-
moveable parts of the musculoskeletal system suf- persed by diaphoretics towards the end of treat-
fering stiffness, spasms and cramps. Most remedies ment.
for the brain (cephalics) have a loosening action.
They can be identified in Culpeper's herbal as treat- 7. Diaphoretic (odiscussing') Herbs These are used
ing'coruulsions'and cramps. There is some overlap to expel serous or thin humours and noxious
between these herbs and today's relaxant and spas- vapours from the body. Once again, for fear ofleav-
to swellings, they act much like emollient or loos- In quality, diaphoretic medicines are similar to
attenuating and drawing medicines, i.e., very hot
ening medicines. Thickening herbs are cooling and
and dry.
are used to 'pin down' a sharp, volatile humour so
that the body can work on expelling it. They can 8. Diuretic Herbs are either hot and pungent with the
also close the pores of the skin, making it more power to cut and thin the humours being excreted
resistant to cold and counteracting the debility of from thickened blood, or else cooling, which open
chronic sweats and dissolution ofthe vital spirits in and cleanse the urinary passages. Some of these
weak patients. herbs also have an anti-lithic action.
4. Vessel Opening llerbs -These are heating, sharp, 9. Emmenogogues - These herbs are hot and pungent,
Cinnamon ffoi A oty 2nd Thin Head, Heart, Lungs, Cleanses, Thins, Softens, Diuretic,
Stomach, Womb Emmenogogue, For Eyesight And Labour
Emmenogogue
i v.1e1tt9'
ifor.h*nO i.rn , Hot Zna, Ory 3rd Bitter f-ungsjiver, Spleen Cuts & Thins, Disperses Cleanses, Opens
Obtructions, Emmenogogue' For Labour
9a-,,",:.,=#:tt-*,"*"1*ir""r,
vrarsn*arrow n";afi:til & Bradder I cr..n,.,, Emorient
spearmint Leaf Hot & Dry 3rd, Thin Pungent Stomach & womb Styptic, Disperses
Mod. Astringent
Herb/Root Astringen
Thick, Kidneys & Bladder, Womb
purslane Herb CofO * Moist 2nd Stomach, Liver, Kidneys, & Hot Fluxes, Styptic
I I Renels Bilious
, Mod. Astringent I Bladdef Womb i __
Southernwood Hot & Dry 3rd, Thin, Heart Cuts & Thins, Disperses, Cleanses Anthelmintic
st.John,s wort Herb I Hot & Dry 3rd, Thin Joints ] D'rr.l.t Et.aosog!9
Valerian Root Hot 1st, Dry 2nd, Pungent,
'
Heart, Bowels Carminative, Diuretic, tmmenogogue
26 Spring/Summer 2002
Hrstory end Phnlosophy
with the power to open blood vessels and thin the more Jierce " (Parkinson, I 640).
blood so as to facilitate menstruation. These reme-
The list oftarget organs for each herb are taken from
dies need to be given at the right time in a woman's
the Pharmacopoeia Londinen^sls which, including the
cycle. Ifthis is not known, Culpeper elsewhere sug-
Key to Galen and Hippocrates, can be found in a mod-
gests it is done in the few days before full moon
ern reprint (Culpeper 1995,307-393 and 554-583),
(Culpeper, 16'76,'78). He also advises that if the
although the section on purgatives is incomplete. In
woman's body is fulI of undigested humours, these
many cases herbs strengthen the organs they target,
need purging before administering hot
and those herbs strengthening target organs by hidden
enrmenogogues, for fear of scattering the crude
virtue are shown in bold. For the full range of uses of
humour into the blood vessels. A styptic action
a herb, this table should be read with the relevant
referred to in the table ofherbs includes the power
entries in Culpeper's herbal (Culpeper 1995), by which
to reduce or stop menstrual blood flow, and men-
any deficiencies of the table may be corrected.
tion is made where a herb is useful in labor, to facil-
itate birth or expel the afterbirth.
References
It should be clear from the foregoing that a sufficient Aschner 8.1943. The Utilitaristrc Approach to the History of
Medicine, Bulletin of the History of Medicme, Vol.X1 1'1
quantity ofan herb must be used to achieve the opera- No.3, March, 292.
tion or action on the body that is required. C hishti G. M. 1 988. The Traditional Healer, Thorsons.
Furthermore, there is a clear sequence of one action to Culpeper N.1652. Galen's Art of Physick, London.
be undertaken before a second and a third operation is Culpeper N.1 656 lhe English Physitian Enlarged, London.
Culpeper N.1669. Pharmacopoeia Londinensrs, reprint of
pursued. These strategies are fitting for an approach of 1651 edition. London: George Sawbridge.
using simples, one at a time, to achieve in order the Culpeper N.1676. Culpeper's Directory for Midwives.
different objectives, with each at a sufficient dosage. I London: George Sawbridge.
Culpeper N.1995. Culpeper's Complete Herbal, Wordsworth
believe that consideration of Culpeper's therapeutics
Library, Ware, Herts.
not only extends our knowledge of the herbal medi- Dantz J. 1543. Tables of Simple Medicines which are in the
cines we use (and of many which are no longer in use!) Works of Dioscorides, Galen and Pliny: Tabulae Simplicium
Medicamentorum, quae apud Dioscoridem, Galenum et
but also shows us a different approach to herbal treat- Plinium sunt.... Basileae, apud Henricum Petrum.
ment. This approach addresses the person who is i11, Gruner O. C.1930. A Treatise on the Canon of Medicine of
rather than simply the disease the person is suffering Avicenna, London, reprinted New York, 1 970.
Guthrie D.1945. A History of Medicine. London: Thomas
from, and in a way which meaningfully affects diagno- Nelson and Sons.
sis, prognosis and prescription to provide a complete Parkinson ). 1640. Theatrum Botanicum: or The Theatre of
alternative healing strategy. P/anfs. London: Thomas Cotes.
Shah M.H.1966. The General Principles of Avicenna's
Canon of Medicine. Karacht, Pakistan.
A Table of Herbs Tobyn G. 1997. Culpeper's Medicine: A Practice of Western
The table to the left lists herbs, their qualities, essence Holistic Medicine. Element: Shaftesbury, Dorset.