Culpeper on Aquatic Plants
One of the most important early English language treatises about plants and their medicinal properties is Nicholas Culpeper’s:- – Culpeper’s Complete Herbal: consisting of a comprehensive description of nearly all herbs with their medicinal properties and directions for compounding the medicines extracted from them. Culpeper (1616-1654) was a famous astrologer-physician, who after a short apprenticeship as an apothecary in St.Helen's, Bishopgate, London, England, set up his own practice in Red Lion Street, Spitalfields, London in 1640. During his life he devoted much time to the study of astrology and medicine and published numerous papers.
The following texts are taken from a modern reprint of his treatise, and while making fascinating reading for the herbalist, historian, and indeed the water gardener, they should be regarded with great caution as to scientific accuracy. Indeed, with the scientific names there are some question marks that can lead the reader into realms of study beyond the scope of this web-site. Many of the botanical names alluded to in the text are attributable to the famous Swedish scientist and botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) who developed the binomial system of nomenclature. It is acknowledged that some of the names formalised by Linnaeus were attributed to plants in a similar manner before his revolutionary system was accepted by science, but all the plant names in the following text must be regarded with caution. Some are clearly incorrect and do not comply with the binomial system.
There is also a question over the waterlily featured in the text, for in the document that we are presenting it is referred to as Nymphaea Odorata, yet Nymphaea Odorata is a North American species not introduced to England – where Culpeper undertook his writing – until 1786. Despite these anomalies we feel that the herbal and astrological information imparted by Culpeper, and deemed to be by his hand is so fascinating and informative that it should be presented here. Please note; some plants appear twice, but with different texts. Apart from technical naming inaccuracies, there are others that the reader should be aware of e.g. Flag (Yellow) or Fleur-de-lys (Iris Pseudacorus) describes what we believe is Acorus calamus, Flag (Bastard Water) (Acorus Adulterinus) describes what we believe is Iris pseudacorus. As Culpeper’s original publications are not generally available to the public, as they are so rare, dependency upon reprints and compilations has to be made.
As the original publication was written in England, the dates refer to the opposite seasons to Australia. June is mid-summer and December mid-winter in England.
The Descriptions
Agrimony (Water) (Bidens Tripartita)
It is called in some countries Water Hemp, Bastard Hemp, and Bastard Agrimony; Eupatorium and Hipatorium, because it strengthens the liver.
Descrip. – The root continues a long time, having many long slender strings: the stalk grows up about two feet high sometimes higher; they are of a dark purple colour: the branches are many, growing at distances the one from the other, the one from the one side of the stalk, the other from the opposite point: the leaves are winged, and much indented at the edges: the flowers grow at the top of the branches, of a brown yellow colour, spotted with black spots, having a substance within the midst of them like that of a daisy; if you rub them between your fingers they smell like rosin or cedar when it is burnt: the seeds are long, and easily stick to any woollen thing they touch.
Place. – They delight not in heat, and therefore they are not so frequently found in the southern parts of England as in the northern, where they grow frequently. You may look for them in cold grounds by the sides of ponds and ditches, as also by running waters; sometimes you shall find them grow in the midst of the waters.
Time. – They all flower in July or August, and the seed is ripe presently after.
Government and Virtues. – It is a plant of Jupiter, as well as the other agrimony, only this belongs to the celestial sign in Cancer. It healeth and drieth, cutteth and cleanseth thick and tough humours of the breast, and for this I hold it inferior to few herbs that grow; it helps the cachexia or evil disposition of the body, the dropsy, and yellow jaundice; it opens the obstructions of the liver, mollifies the hardness of the spleen, being applied outwardly: it breaks imposthumes, taken inwardly: it provokes urine and the terms: it kills worms, and cleanseth the body of sharp humours, which are the cause of itch and scabs; the herb being burnt, the smoke thereof drives away flies, wasps, &c,: It strengthens the lungs exceedingly. Country people give it to their cattle when they are troubled with the cough, or broken winded.
Arssmart (Polygonum)
The hot Arssmart is called also Water-pepper, (Polygonum Hydropiper). The mild Arssmart is called Dead Arssmart, (Persicaria Maculata). or Peachwort, because the leaves are so like the leaves of a peach-tree: it also called Plumbago.
Descrip. of the Mild. – This hath broad leaves at the great red joints of the stalks, with semi-circular blackish marks on them usually either blueish or whitish, with such like seed following. The root is long with many strings thereat, perishing yearly; this hath no sharp taste (as another sort hath, which is quick and biting) but rather sour like sorrel, or else a little drying, or without taste.
Place. – It groweth in watery places, ditches, and the like, which for the most part are dry in summer.
Time. – It flowereth in June, and the seed is ripe in August.
Government and Virtues. – As the virtue of both these is various, so is also their government; for that which is hot and biting is under the dominion of Mars, but Saturn challengeth the other, as appears by that leaden coloured spot he hath placed upon the leaf.
It is of a cooling and drying quality, and very effectual for putrid ulcers in man or beast, to kill worms and cleanse putrefied places. The juice thereof dropped in, or otherwise applied, consumeth all cold swellings, and dissolveth the congealed blood of bruises by strokes, falls, &c. A piece of the root, or some of the seeds bruised and held to an aching tooth, taketh away the pain:
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