Culpeper’s English Physician; and Complete Herbal

When seeking inspiration for naming her herbs and potions, J.K. Rowling used the herbal compiled by Nicholas Culpeper. Originally published in 1652 as The English Physitian, ‘Culpeper’s Herbal’ provides a comprehensive list of native medicinal herbs, prescribing the most effective forms of treatment and when to take them. Culpeper was an unlicensed apothecary and disliked by the medical profession, who jealously guarded their monopoly to practise medicine in London. In 1642, he was apparently tried, but acquitted, for practising witchcraft. Shown here: title-page