small, insulated, air-tight winter wigwams, as well as modern elevators. "An excellent
remedy for flatulence and colicky pains in the abdomen" as a modern herbalist says.
Anti-fart medicine, no one ever talks about it!RECIPE
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MENUCREDITS: All 3 mints were scanned from a paprback recent release of Culpepper's Color Herbal,
first published in 1649, edited with "modern" alleged medical uses added (by David Potterton)
below Culpepper's amusing, often irascible, remarks on each plant, and illustrated with color
drawings/paintings. Reissued many times over 3 centuries, the latest is edition by Foulsham
(London, 1983) and this paperback ($17.95, U.S. ) by Sterling Publishing of Toronto ($24.95 Can.).
A beautiful and interesting book, though the herbs are English (a few found on both continents).
Culpepper is a fascinating character. A rich clergyman's son, he studied medicine (such as it was
in the early 17th century) but instead of making his fortune doctoring the rich, as most did, tried
to serve the poor who flocked into miserable London slums under the Land Enclosures (takings)
that were going on, evicting country people from their farm villages and lands. Most were used to
self-doctoring with country herbs, and were preyed upon in the city by charlatan herbalists.
Culpepper's Colour Herbal uses everyday (not latinate, scientific or esoteric) plant names, and
especially clear, colored pictures, so the country people could find the herbs themselves in parks
or occasional country excursions, and be aware of their curative properties (as Culpepper's
studies -- he's big on astrology in relation to plants, too -- best outlined those then).
This book has nothing to do with Native American plants or methods but it's still a beautiful
school library book, a great gift (for the right person) and a great read.
Copyright 1995, Paula Giese
Last Updated: Thursday, December 28, 1995 - 1:47:32 PMNative Foods -- Mints, naturalized
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