Introduction - Uppsala Monitoring Centre

1652 Culpeper, Nicholas, (1616–1654). ‘The English physitian: or an
astrologo-physical discourse of the vulgar herbs of this nation.’
London: Peter Cole, 1652. It acknowledges the work of 43 previous
authors. Each herb is dealt with under: description, place, vertues
and use.
Briony: ‘The Roots of the briony purge the belly with great
violence, troubling the stomach, and hurting the liver, and therefore
not rashly to be taken, but being corrected is very profitable for the
diseases of the head, as falling-sickness 113 , giddiness, and
swimmings, by drawing away much phlegm and rheumatic humours
that oppress the head, as also the joints and sinews, and is therefore
good.’
Wild Poppy: ‘Galen said the seed (wild poppy) is dangerous to be
used inwardly.’
Common Nightshade:‘This common nightshade is wholly used to
cool all hot inflammations either inwardly or outwardly, being no way
dangerous to any that shall use it, as most of the rest of the
nightshades are; yet it must be used moderately.’
Henbane (Hyoscyamus): ‘This herb must never be taken inwardly,
outwardly, as oil, ointment or plaster of is most admirable’. The
poisonful qualities of hemlock, Henbane, nightshade, mandrake, or
other such like herbs that stupify or dull the senses, as also the
lethargy, especially to use it outwardly to rub the forehead and
temples in the lethargy, and the places bitten or stung with beasts,
with a little salt.’
Poppy (White) or opium Papaverus somniverum: ’An over dose
causes immodesty, mirth or stupidity, redness of the face, swelling of
the eyes, relaxation of the joints, giddiness of the head, deep sleep,
accompanied with turbulent dreams and convulsive starting, cold
sweats and frequently death.’
Foxglove is mentioned but only for external application. Other than
these type of statements there is little about the adverse effects of the
plants. He includes flowers, vegetables, trees and fruits.
The hellebore is not mentioned, but he does mention it in his
‘School of Physick or the experimental practice of the whole art’ in
1659: black hellebore: ‘that black hellebore rightly used is a hurtless
media and may safely be given to a child; have a care of women with
child and other weak bodies.’
113 Falling-sickness = epilepsy