Drawing on the writings of Nicholas Culpeper, the 17th-century herbalist, apothecary and astrologer, this updated, accessible introduction celebrates the holistic medical traditions of the West. The book traces the development of Western holistic medicine from its origins in the natural philosophy of Ancient Greece to the work of Culpeper himself. It describes and explains the relationship between the four elements, the four humours and the four constitutional types - sanguine, choleric, melancholic and phlegmatic - as well as detailing the functional relationships of organs and body systems. The book explores the interconnectedness of psyche (mind) and soma (body) and includes a section on herbal medicine and therapeutics with a study of 20 common herbs, dietary suggestions and uses for culinary herbs. It also provides accessible information on astrology and the importance of the horoscope for successful diagnosis. The holistic approach of the book looks at the preservation of health and the prevention of disease, with explanations of the various disease states, their diagnosis and treatment. A fascinating insight into the expanding world of holistic medicine, this book is an indispensable resource for medical herbalists, students of herbal medicine and anyone interested in Western holistic medicine and its origins.