Nicholas Culpeper

(1616-1654)

Nicholas Culpeper's 'A Physicall Directory' (1649) is a pseudoscientific pharmacopoeia. It relied upon astrology, alchemy, herbalism, and the use of plants to cure human illnesses based on anatomical resemblances.

In his own words describing 'A Physicall Directory': “being an astrologo-physical discourse of the common herbs of the nation; containing a complete Method or Practice of Physic, whereby a Man may preserve his Body in Health, or cure himself when sick, with such things only as grow in England, they being most fit for English Constitutions.”

It has a wealth of information on what herbs were being used for in England during the period before the 18th century. He includes culinary uses for many edible herbs and plants.