Nicholas Culpeper (1616–1654) was an English botanist, herbalist, physician, and astrologer. He is perhaps most famous for his comprehensive work, "The Complete Herbal," first published in 1653, which was a detailed compilation of medicinal plants and their uses in herbal medicine. Culpeper's approach blended traditional methods with a scientific understanding of plants and their healing properties. He was also known for his criticism of the medical establishment, which he believed withheld medical knowledge from the poor. Culpeper's practice and writings made him one of the most influential herbalists in the 17th century, offering accessible healthcare information that empowered the general populace to tend to their own health using local plants and herbs. His work has had a lasting impact on the field of herbal medicine and is still referenced today.