CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL,

AND

ENGLISH PHYSICIAN;

The Postscript

I NOW enjoy the heartfelt satisfaction of laying before you a new and elegant improvement of CULPEPER's HERBAL. You have herein a Complete Family Physician, together with the best remedies for every disease incident to the Human Body; for seeing that our frail mortal bodies are subject to a vast multitude of diseases, both internal and external, it hath most graciously pleases Almighty God, of his infinite mercy, goodness and compassion to sinful man, to plant remedies in our gardens, before our doors, and even on every side of our paths, in order that we might (with our hearts full of gratitude and thanksgivings) put forth our hands, and duly receive the healing balm, in the day of pain nad most grievous affliction. We must really stand astonished, and be even lost in admiration, when we find that all these plants are impregnated with, and do possess, such an healing property as is found to overcome and vanquish every disease incident to the human body; and the plain reason thereof is this, because they are governed, made rich, preserved, and are every way made proper and fit to heal the body of man, under all his various diseases, sickness, and infirmities, by the celestial ministers of Heaven, acting under the great power and authority of the most glorious Creator of the Universe, in order that those who were wise enough, might duly receive the benefit and advantage of the same, in the day of need and necessity.

How to make the most Profitable Use of this book:

The herbs, plants, &c. are here arranged under their proper planets; therefore. First consider the symptoms and progress of the disease.

Secondly. What part of the body is afflicted, and whether it doth lay in the flesh, or blood, or bones, or ventricles.

Thirdly. You have likewise in this book, the various herbs for the cure appropriated to the several diseases, and the said diseases are all set down under each part, whereby you may strengthen and comfort the afflicted part of the body by its like; as the brain by herbs of Mercury; the breast and liver by herbs of Jupiter; the heart and vitals by herbs of the Sun. &c.

Hereby you see what reason may be given for medicines, and also what great necessity there is for every physician to be an astrologian. Nothing now remains but that you daily labour to glorify God, and see that you also duly answer the great end of your creation, in your several stations and situations in life, and to do good to yourselves first, by daily increasing your knowledge; and afterwards by healing the sickness and bodily infirmities of your neighbours.