Part 7: Sundew
The Living History of Herbal Medicine

  • Dylan Warren-Davis
  • Open to All Levels
  • Live Tuesday 19th November
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Rediscover the lost metaphysical properties of plants.

Part 7: Sundew
of The Living History of Herbal Medicine

In this seminar we will explore the fascinating world of the sundew (Drosera) and its significance in the work of renowned 17th-century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper.
Join us for Part 7: Sundew of The Living History of Herbal Medicine.

Herbalist, astrologer and alchemist Dylan Warren-Davis will be your guide where he reveals the hidden meanings in history that link with healing and esoteric knowledge.  

Each seminar Dylan unlocks the secrets passed down through generations of herbalists. 

In Part 7 Dylan will be exploring how Nicholas Culpeper’s approach brought together astrological, alchemical, and herbal principles to make healing knowledge accessible to all.

Dylan will also focus on the sundew—a mysterious, insectivorous plant that Culpeper associated with the Moon and Cancer, imbuing it with unique healing qualities. Through his teachings, the sundew represents more than a remedy; it symbolizes the interplay of cosmic and natural forces that affect health and well-being.

Learn about the following:

The Story Behind the Herbs
Learn about sundew, an herb central to Culpeper’s philosophy, and discover the fascinating symbolism he attributed to plants as powerful allies for the common person.

Culpeper’s Radical Break from Tradition
Discover how Culpeper dropped out of Cambridge, turned away from religious study, and became an apothecary in London—fueled by his drive to challenge the Church’s control over education and medicine.

Translation that Changed Medicine
When Culpeper translated the Pharmacopeia Londonensis from Latin into English, he disrupted the Physicians’ monopoly, making medical knowledge available to all. We’ll examine this courageous act and the backlash he faced for his “drunken labour” that rattled the Royal College of Physicians.

Astrological Insights & Hidden Virtues
Culpeper’s herbal combines astrological perspectives with Hippocratic and Galenic traditions, providing insights that were once reserved for the elite. We’ll explore his “Astrologo-Physical Discourse,” where each herb is linked to its Planetary ruler, and discuss how this knowledge was previously concealed from the common public.

All of this and much much more, including  a deep dive into astrology, symbolism, and of course, herbal medicine!

Come, be a part of this extraordinary journey as we celebrate the timeless legacy of herbs and their enduring impact on holistic wellness. Secure your place now and embark on a fascinating voyage through herbal history with us. 

Don't hesitate

Connect with herbs and healing traditions.

What to expect:

Explore how Nicholas Culpeper’s astrological and herbal insights into the sundew plant reveal the interconnectedness of healing, nature, and cosmic symbolism.

The Living History of herbal medicine
Part 7: Sundew

This seminar is open to anyone!

The story of Nicholas Culpeper is a fascinating journey through the world of 17th-century herbalism, where he stood as a bridge between traditional, often mystic approaches to medicine and the accessible, anti-elitist dissemination of medical knowledge.

  • Discover all you need to know about Nicholas Culpeper and how he has shaped herbal medicine today.


  • Dive deep into Sundew and learn how its connection to both the Sun and Moon encapsulate Culpeper's astrological approach.


  • Learn how Culpeper’s work, influenced by astrologer William Lilly, blended astrology and medicine to create a system accessible to laypeople, focusing on commonly available British herbs, which impacts us all today.
WATCH THE RECORDING. study at your own pace.
receive a PErsonalised certificate of completion.
learn from a renowned expert on herbal medicine and alchemy
Lesson series

Part 7: Sundew

Join us for Part 7: Sundew in the penultimate part of this fascinating 8-part series connecting herbs to history.
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"As a qualified herbalist with a desire to really deepen my understanding of herbs I jumped at the chance to learn from Dylan Warren-Davis, and the course so far has not disappointed.

What Dylan is offering is decades of research distilled for the participants into sections which are easy to digest and comprehend.

We are looking at topics which are not always easy to research, dealing with abstract ideas that have often been left scattered throughout history and require a kind of piecing together like a jigsaw to understand in full.

Humoral medicine and herbal energetics in the western tradition can be difficult to grasp, but Dylan's personal experience in astrology, alchemy, cheiromancy and his extensive experience of herbal therapeutics as a second generation herbalist give a precious insight that forms a rich tapestry from all the loose threads, which he has carefully woven for his students.

I can honestly say that I have learned more in the last few sessions with Dylan about herbal energetics than I have in my own research since graduating as a herbalist 15 years ago. These lessons also stand alone regardless of your level of herbal knowledge however and I cannot recommend this course enough.

It's exactly what is needed- someone who can bring the Living History of Herbal Medicine to life."

Claire Mackay, Herbalist - Enrolled in the Living History of Herbal Medicine

About Your Teacher:
Dylan Warren-Davis

The knowledge that Dylan brings to these “Living History of Western Herbal Medicine” webinars is drawn from a variety of different sources and experiences and has been involved with yoga and meditation for more than 40 years.

From the time he first qualified as a medical herbalist with the National Institute of Medical Herbalists in 1982; having seen the serious limitations of the pharmacological explanation of the way herbs work, Dylan has sought out the metaphysical knowledge upon which the Western Herbal tradition has been based. It was a lengthy journey, spanning several decades of research, through Hermetic, Cabalistic, Alchemical and Astrological knowledge.

Having practiced herbal medicine for over 35 years he is now ready to present the principles of this long forgotten and much needed foundation of the Western Herbal Tradition. 
Patrick Jones - Course author

Learn more about Dylan:

I am however soaking up and diving in to all the many aspects of ancient wisdom that you have helped open up for me, that are still as so obviously hugely relevant and applicable today as they were then - particularly as some form of opposition to the current seemingly unchecked paradigm of 'reductionism' that appears to dominate our current day worlds of science and medicine.
I was looking for some inspiration to help support the learning and remembering not only of the many medicinal herbs and their healing virtues, without having to slog through endless monographs, but also how these healing virtues can be associated to our individual constitutions and the disturbances with in them that give us our various forms of dis-ease.
In this respect your approach and teachings are really refreshing and hugely enlightening and I am looking forward to continuing on with learning more on these ancient wisdoms as I feel I am just at the start with plenty more 'wow moments' to come!
Carsten sober
or anyone interested in natural health using herbs or “weeds” that grow all around us, then I heartily recommend you subscribe to the brilliant 3-part series on The Alchemy of Herbs by the Medical Herbalist, Dylan Warren Davis. Dylan comes from a long line of herbalists and trained the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. He was taught the virtues of herbs by his mother when a young boy and then combined the use of herbs with astrology following in the footsteps of the illustrious Nicholas Culpeper.
You do not need a knowledge of astrology to follow the information Dylan conveys, but if you do know some astrology, you will look afresh at the common plants growing around you and have some deeper understanding as to how you can safely and easily use them to maintain optimum health. The section on Comfrey or “Knitbone” as it is also known and how it can help with teeth and bone issues was especially interesting. I immediately rushed out to see how my Comfrey plants were doing! A great series and one to tell your friends and family about.
sharon knight
I first met Dylan when I invited him to teach at the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine's first ever Canvas Conference in the early 1990's and I am still learning from him nearly 30 years later!
His recent webinar on The Alchemy of Herbs and the Art of Physic was such a helpful overview of Culpeper's Medicine and all the extensive signatures and archetypal qualities of medicinal plants that come to life when taking astrological and planetary observations into consideration. It gives such a holistic and holographic viewpoint of people and plants that makes so much sense and brings a significant degree of satisfaction to comprehending the Cosmic influences on us and our plants, as well as the planet!
Medical Astrology and Planetary Archetypes of Herbs is a welcome adjunct to the evolution of my herbal practice, and I am grateful to have more time to focus on this incredibly enlightening subject area in the last few years. It has significantly enhanced my constitutional assessment of patients and plants and Dylan's continued teaching support has been so important in my attempt to understand more deeply the astrological influences of the plants in Portugal I am encountering now, many of which are not found listed under Culpeper's Medical Writings
MAUREEN ROBERTSON
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WHY JOIN?

Connect with the living history of herbal medicine.

Understanding our “living herbal history” should inspire a new, more compassionate understanding of medicine, in sympathy and harmony with Nature.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get access straightaway?

You can join us for a live airing of Dylan's seminar on 19th November at 7pm GMT. Dylan will be joining us to answer your questions.

What is the investment?

You can sign up for this seminar for £35 or if you want access to more then the whole series of A Living History of Herbal Medicine is available for only £199 (saving 20%)

How long is the seminar?

It will be about an hour and you can watch at your leisure!

What can I expect?

Dylan has a unique approach to herbal medicine combining astrology, alchemy, hermeticism with up-to-date science of plants. This seminar starts with the crusades and ventures through history including the Salerno School of Medicine and the astrological influence on the development of famous botanical gardens so you can understand the value and influence of our history in healing today.

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