Nicholas Culpepper or Culpeper (1616-1654), was the son of a clergyman, the Reverend Nicholas Culpeper, Sr. His father died 13 days before his birth. His childhood was spent in Isfield, Sussex, where he was brought up by his mother at her family home. His maternal grandfather, the Reverend William Attersole, then minister of St Margaret’s Church, Isfield, and author of many theological treatises, had a powerful influence on Culpeper’s early development. He taught Nicholas Latin and Greek, whilst instilling a strong puritanical influence and a healthy disrespect for the Crown. Attersole’s writings show that he had a great respect for astrology and was conversant with Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos. By contrast, his maternal grandmother first exposed Nicholas to the use of medicinal plants. These influenced his lifetime interests in astrology and medicinal plants.
Quotes of Nicholas Culpeper :
1. The Herbs ought to be distilled when they are in their greatest vigor, and so ought the Flowers also.
3. In all Diseases strengthen the part of the Body afflicted.
4. All Juleps are made for present use, and therefore it is in vain to speak of their duration.
5. Let your Medicine be something of the Nature of the Sign ascending.
6. For God’s sake build not your faith upon Tradition, ’tis as rotten as a rotten Post.
7. Such Roots as are soft, your best way is to dry in the Sun, or else hang them up in the Chimney corner upon a string; as for such as are hard you may dry them any where.
8. Thus have you the way of making Conserves, the way of keeping of them is in Earthen pots.
9. Gather all Leaves in the hour of that Planet that governs them.
10.The Barks of Trees are best gathered in the Spring, if it be of great Trees, as Oaks or the like, because then they come easiest off, and so you may dry them if you please, but indeed your best way is to gather all Barks only for present use.
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