Part 6

I could heartily wish, that all the practical Physicians in _Europe_ would concur to giving a Sanction to this Doctrine by their Practice; for, besides the Testimonies of _Trigautius_ and _Rhodius_, I am certain from Experience, that the _Cha_ is the _Rhus Coriaria_, or a certain Species of it, whose Qualities and Marks are known from what has been already said. I do not, in the least, doubt, but the _Cha_ of the _Tartars_, or the _Thee_ of the _Chinese_, is our _Chamelæagnus_, or _Pliny_'s Herb _Rhus_; especially since _Clusius_, in _Auctar. Exoticor. Libror_. expresly asserts, that from the Cuts of some _Chinese_ Books, which _Pavius_ and _Joseph Scaliger_ received in a Present from some _East India_ Merchants, though coarsely engraved, he perceived that many _Chinese_ Plants are exactly similar to some of those produced in _Europe_. This Circumstance renders it highly probable, that _China_ which borders upon _Tartary_, produces our _Chamelæagnus_. I am heartily sorry, however, that I have not had an Opportunity of conversing with _Martinius_ on this Subject, since, according to _Galen_, in _Lib. de Compos. Med. Cap. 3._ reading an Author's Works, is not so satisfactory, as a personal Conversation with him. However, as I have only followed Reason, and the Course of my own Thoughts, I hope I shall have no Cause to repent my Labour; since, according to _Cornelius Tacitus_, in _Annal. 15._ many Things are obtained by Experiments and Efforts, which, to the lazy and sluggish Part of Mankind, seemed highly difficult, if not impossible. Thus the _Romans_, by Bravery and Activity, raised their originally petty State, to a most extensive and powerful Empire. _Columbus_ discovered _America_ by Reading and making Efforts for that Purpose. _Copernicus_, and _Ticho Brahe_, by their extensive Acquaintance with Mathematics, discovered and demonstrated many important Things, unknown to our Forefathers. The illustrious _Hoffman_, in _Paralcip. Officinal_, when giving a noble Scope to his Imagination, in the Investigation of Mineral Waters, tells us, that the advancing probable Things, is an Advantage to the Cause of Truth, and was always looked upon as such by _Plato_, _Aristotle_, _Galen_, and all other Philosophers. Notwithstanding the incomparable Learning and Industry of _Martinius_, I cannot comprehend some Things in his Description of _Tea_; for I cannot conceive why he asserts, that the _Rhus Coriaria_ is not wild, but cultivated among the _Chinese_; since _Matthiolus_, _Bauhine_, and _Hoffman_, do not, with _Galen_, make a Distinction between the _Rhus Coriaria_, and _Culinaria_, which, by _Trigautius_ and _Rhodius_, is called the _Cha_, or _Thee_; but if _Martinius_ had mentioned the _Myrtle_, I should have conjectured, that he followed other Botanists, who exclude the _Myrtus Sylvestris Dioscoridis_, in the Shops known by the Name _Ruscus_, or _Bruscus_, from the Species of true _Myrtles_. Thus _Marcellus Virgilius_, in _Comment. in Dioscorid. Lib. 1. Cap. 132._ makes a great Difference between them in the following Passage: "The _Myrtus Sativa_ of _Pliny_, which I describe in this Chapter, is not like other Plants, sown in continued Tracts of Ground; and though it thrives better in Gardens, than in uncultivated Soils, this is not the only Difference between it and the _Myrtus Agrestis_, which is a Plant of an intirely different Kind, which the _Greeks_ call _Oxymyrsene_, and the _Latins_, _Ruscus_; for, upon Comparison, the _Myrtle_ is milder than the _Ruscus_, whose cuspidated Leaves are pricking and sharp. It is, however, certain, that the _Ruscus_ was, by some of the Antients, called _Myrtus Sylvestris_." I do not remember, that any Botanist has brought such a Charge against our _Chamelæagnus_, since it is universally enumerated among the Species of true _Myrtle_, though of the wild Kind. The Reason why _Martinius_ calls the _Chamelæagnus_ a cultivated Plant, as I suppose, is, because the _Chinese_, seeing us so fond of _Tea_, have begun to cultivate it, in order to draw the Profits arising from it, just as the _Europeans_ do the Vine, for the Sake of the Grapes, the _Persians_ the _Mulberry-Tree_, for the Silk; the Inhabitants of _Narbon_ and _Provence_, the _Ilex Coceigera_, for the Sake of the _Cochineal_; or the _Americans_ the _Tobacco_, on account of the large Quantities of it imported into _Europe_. As _Trigautius_ thinks it not impossible for _Tea_ to grow in some Parts of _Europe_, and as _Rhodius_ affirms, that the _Chinese_ are as busy in the Time of gathering their _Tea_, as the _Europeans_ are in their Harvest; so, it is probable, that some Tracts of Land may be sown with _Tea_ in _China_; notwithstanding which, it is more agreeable to the usual Way of speaking, to call _Tea_ rather a wild, than cultivated Shrub. The _Chinese_ also, according to _Rhodius_, do not gather all the Leaves produced by the Shrub, but only such as appear first in the _Spring_, and are soft and tender, which they also gather, one after another. Hence I infer, that the Leaves in the _Summer_, are very unlike those in the _Spring_, which is also observed in those of our _Chamelæagnus_, with respect to Softness, Smoothness, and Colour; so that it is not to be wondered at, if the _Chinese Chamelæagnus_ appears milder than our own; since they collect, prepare, and dry theirs in a quite different Manner from us: "For, first, they put it in an Iron Pan, and warm it gently over a slow Fire; then, they wrap it up in a smooth, thin Cloth, and again expose it to the Fire, till it is corrugated, and shrivelled up." Hence it is, that our _Chamelæagnus_, when macerated in warm Water, is of a different Colour, Taste, and Smell from the _Chinese Tea_, though their Effects are the same, only those of the former are stronger and more considerable than those of the latter. If, therefore, in our Country, the _Chamelæagnus_ was gathered with the same Circumstances, Pains, and Precautions observed by the _Chinese_, I doubt not but it would be equal to, their _Tea_; for if the same Measures are not taken in the Preparation of the same Herb, how is it possible, that it should produce similar and uniform Effects, especially if the one is gathered in the _Spring_, and the other in the End of the _Summer_: The one artificially dried in the House, and the other dried in the open Air by the Heat of the Sun; the one collected when it begins to appear, and other when the Plant is full of a roscid, sulphureous Dew, and bears Flowers, and Seeds. For this Reason, _Scherbius_ justly observes, "That when many Things concur to the Production of the same Effect; all these Things ought to be exactly the same." _Hoffman_, in _Comment. Lib. 7._ represents this Doctrine in the following accurate and beautiful Manner: "Individual Objects often appear to our Senses to have no Difference; whereas, a very considerable one is observed in their Effects. This Circumstance constitutes that Individuality, which cannot be described, and which, I remember, _Scherbius_, my old Master, used to illustrate by the following _Simile_: If a Bell-Founder should make twenty small Bells, of the same Metal, in the same Mould, at the same Time, and in the same Place; yet the Sound of no one of them will be perfectly similar to that of another. What can be the Cause of this Variation? The Artist, the Mould, the Metal, and the Fire, concur to produce the same Effects, which, however, is not obtained. Besides, if we were carefully to examine these Bells by the Sight, the Touch, the Weight and other Circumstances, we can discover no Difference; which, however, is sufficiently evinced by the Sound. Some Things, said my Matter, can neither be described, nor expressed, and of this Kind are these Differences. Perhaps, in this Case, there is not an equable Thickness of the Metal, because the Fire has not equably pervaded all its Particles. Perhaps the Surface is not every where smooth because the fused Metal might have been in some Parts more refrigerated than in others: and perhaps, there maybe other Variations; for, unless all Circumstances exactly concur, the same Sound cannot be produced in all the Bells." I have quoted this Passage from _Hoffman_, lest any Person, observing some Differences between our _Chamelæagnus_, and the _Chinese_, or _Tartars Tea_, should forthwith doubt,--whether they are Shrubs of the same Species, as I have already proved them to be. The _Chinese Tea_, therefore, and our _Chamelæagnus_, are Shrubs of the same Species; though, for the former, we go beyond the _Cape of Good Hope_, into _China_, cross the _Equator_ four Times in every Voyage, and expose ourselves to uncommon Hardships and Dangers, in order to bring Home the Leaves of an unknown Shrub, which has not the same Virtues and Qualities for which the _Chinese Tea_ is celebrated in _China_, and to which our _European Betony_ is preferable. Since, therefore, the _Chamelæagnus_ is now sufficiently known, we have no more Occasion for _Tea_ from _China_, than we have for _Arum_ from _Asia_, _Wormwood_ from _Pontus_, or _Scordium_ from _Crete_.

I now proceed to consider the peculiar Virtues commonly supposed to reside in _Tea_, but which I assert are equally to be found in _European_ Plants; for the _Chinese_ are guilty of a fulsome Exaggeration, when they assert that it has a Tendency to prolong Life. The Virtues, then, of the _Tea_, seem to be most accurately described by _Rhodius_ and _Martinius_, who seem to have reduced them to three Heads; the first of which, according to _Rhodius_, is, that it alleviates Pains of the Head, and represses Vapours: The second, that it corroborates the Stomach: And, the third, that it expels the Stone and Gravel from the Kidneys. These Virtues are, by _Martinius_, recited in the following Order: To the drinking of this warm Liquor, it is said to be owing, that the _Chinese_ are Strangers to the Gout and Stone. When drank after Meals, it removes Crudities and Indigestion. When exhibited to drunken Persons, it affords them Relief, and prevents the bad Consequences of Surfeits; for it is of a drying Nature, carries off superfluous Humours, expels somniferous Vapours, and removes the languid State of Students, who are oppressed by long Application. These Virtues are, at present, to be carefully examined. I shall not here speak of those Qualities, which are the Result of its Temperature; since I before evinced, that the whole Substance of the _Tea_ was grateful to the Brain; but at the same time shewed, from a singular Observation, that _Betony_ was possessed of the same Virtues and Qualities.

First, then, it is asserted of _Tea_, that it removes the bad Consequences of Surfeits, because it is of a drying Nature, and carries off superfluous Humours: The same Effects are also produced by _Betony_: But as for the Expulsion of somniferous Vapours, and removing the languid State of hard Students; these Properties are more frequently ascribed to the true _Myrtle_, than to _Betony_; which, however, as we shall afterwards shew, is also recommended against Intoxication.

The second Virtue of _Tea_ macerated in warm Water, is, that it corroborates the Stomach; which Effect is also remarkably produced by _Betony_.

The third Virtue it is said to be possessed of, is, that it frees the Kidneys from Stones and Gravel; for which Reason, according to _Martinius_, the _Chinese_ are Strangers to nephritic and arthritic Disorders. _Betony_ remarkably produces this Effect, and, at the same time, is a powerful Preservative against the Gout. The other Qualities of _Tea_, enumerated by other Authors: I shall not here mention, that I may, at more Length, compare it with _Betony_. The Reader may, however, consult my _Quadripartitium_, and _Antonius Musa_, who, in _Libell. de Betonica_, affirms, that _Betony_ is possessed of so excellent medicinal Virtues, that it cures no less than forty-seven Disorders; which none of the _Chinese_ have ever dared to assert, concerning their _Tea_: The _Asiatic Tea_ is, therefore, far inferior to the _European Betony_. The same Author affirms, "That _Betony_, previously taken, prevents Intoxication." By which Words, _Musa_ insinuates, that it guards against a Surfeit, and, consequently, frees us from Drowsiness; so that the whole Substance of it is equally grateful and refreshing to the Brain with _Tea_. It were to be wished, that this Physician had directed the Method of preparing _Betony_, in order to prevent Intoxication; by which Means the _Europeans_ would, in all Probability, have been encouraged to greater Care and Diligence in cultivating, drying, and separating the small from the large Leaves of our _Chamelæagnus_, a Decoction of whose Flowers would have been as grateful to them as that of the _Chinese Tea_ is to them. But if any should foolishly dread the Use of the _Chamelæagnus_, which, however, is much used, and greatly extolled in _Denmark_, and the Lower _Saxony_; such Persons may, I think, substitute _Betony_ in its Room. But, if a Physician should order an _European_ Cobler, or Day-Labourer, frequently to use a Decoction of _Betony_, they would sneeringly bid him use his insipid Water himself. But the Custom of drinking _Tea_ only prevails, because it is a new Thing, unknown to the Forefathers of the _Chinese_, and is imported from _Asia_ into _Europe_, whose Inhabitants of all Ranks are so excessively fond of it, on account of its grateful Bitter, and sub-astringent Taste: The same may be said of the _Indian Chocolate_, and the Water impregnated with the _Chavva_ of the _Persians_, since these three Liquors have generally no more grateful a Taste, than a Decoction of coarse _European_ Pears, or what the _Germans_ call a _Pear-souse_.

But, as _Antonius Colmeri de Lodesma_ has given a distinct Account of _Chocolate_, and the Method of preparing it, the Reader may expect that I should say something of the Use and Method of preparing the Water of _Chavva_; and this I shall the more willingly do, because no Physician, or Botanist, so far as I know, has expresly, but only accidentally, and imperfectly, given the History of the _Chavva_. But I would advise Physicians to order the Use, not only of _Chocolate_, but also of the _Chavva_, very sparingly; though both Liquors are highly commended by the high and learned, as well as the low and illiterate Part of Mankind: For _Hieronymus Benzo_, who, according to _Dalechampius, Lib. 18. Histor. General. Plant._ calls it, "A Wash rather fit for Hogs, than a Liquor proper for human Creatures." _Benzo_, after residing above an Year in the Province of _Nicariquan_, in _America_, had, all the while, a mortal Aversion to this Liquor; till, falling short of Wine, he learned to imitate the Natives, that he might not be under a Necessity of drinking Water perpetually. This Liquor, by its somewhat bitter Taste, refreshes and refrigerates the Body, without intoxicating those who use it. This is the principal and dearest Commodity of those Countries; nor do the _Indians_, who use it, esteem any thing more highly, according to _Clusius, Lib. 2. Exot. Cap. 29._ and _Anonym. Auctar._ in _Dodon_. I must own I should, with _Benzo_, have preferred pure Water to this unnatural Mixture, which, as well as _Coffee_, and _Tea_, the _Europeans_ may very well want, without any Loss of Health: And it were to be wished, that the excessive Demands for all these, did not excite People of sordid Tempers, to adulterate them, with Substances of heterogeneous Parts, and such as are unfriendly to Nature. This, as I have before mentioned, with respect to _Tobacco_, is the Reason why, in our Age, we are seized with Disorders, the Names of which are not so much as mentioned in the Writings of the Antients. Hence _Bartholin_ thinks, "That Aromatics and Spices, which are no less the Causes of Wars in _Europe_, than of Commotions in the Body, ought to be prohibited; since the Purposes of Life and Health will be far better answered, by cleansing the Blood now and then with the Leaves of the _Coluthea_, Water-Cresses, or _Fumitory_. We are also to chuse an Antidote for common Use; but not the _Theriaca_, of which the Emperor _Antoninus_ took the Bulk of a Bean every Morning, nor the _Mithridate_; for these are injurious by their Heat, and consequently improper for us. But we are to use _Conserve of Roses_, _Rob._ of _Elder_, Electuaries of _Marygolds_, the _Morus Norvegica_, and other indigenous Plants, whose Qualities are best suited to our Temperaments and Constitutions." But the Use of the Herb _Tea_, if it could be brought fresh and recent from _China_ into _Europe_, would be more tolerable than that of _Chocolate_, and _Coffee_, which is of all others the worst: Since a Decoction of the _Chavva_ surprizingly effeminates both the Minds and Bodies of the _Persians_; by imitating whom, we shall never arrive at that Vigour and Hardiness, which _Julius Cæsar_, and _Cornelius Tacitus_, so much admired in our Forefathers.

We have before observed, that _Amurath_, the fourth Emperor of the _Turks_, under Pain of Death, totally prohibited the Use of _Tobacco_, lest his Subjects should become barren. But we _Europeans_ heedlesly go on by the Abuse of _Coffee_, to emasculate ourselves like the _Persians_, who are fond of Sterility, and, according to _Olearius_, much more salacious than the _Europeans_; But of this Effect of _Coffee_ we shall afterwards treat.

As the Fruit of the _Cacao_, or _Cacarate_, which resemble _Almonds_, are the Basis of _Chocolate_, they are found engraved in _Tabernemontan. Lib. 3. Cap. 16_. So that I shall here give no Cuts of them, since I have done that in _Quadripartit. Botan. Class. 3. No. 11, 12._ when, describing the Seed _Bon_, or _Ban_, which is also called _Buna_, or _Buncho_, and _Bunea_, or the Seed from which is prepared the _Coava_, _Caova_, _Cavve_, _Choava_, and _Cahvve_, which, by a Corruption, is, no doubt, the _Coffee_ of the _Europeans_.

If it should be asked, to what Class of Simples, whether that of Herbs, or Trees, we are to refer the Plant which bears the Seed _Bon_, from which the Water of _Chavve_ is prepared, and which is also mentioned by _Olearius_, in _Itinerar. Persiæ, Cap. 17_. I answer, that some, ignorant of _Botany_, may take it for an Herb, whose Seeds resemble those of the _Turkish_ Corn, or the _Indian_ Corn, by _Bauhine_ called _Mays_, or for our Wheat: Whereas, it is no Herb, but a Tree, by _Olearius_, in the last quoted Passage, described in the following Manner: "The _Persians_, in smoaking _Tobacco_, have always the black Water of _Chavve_ present. The Fruit with which they prepare this Liquor is sent from _Egypt_; and, in the inner Side, resembles the _Turkish_, though on the outer Side, the _European_ Wheat. This Fruit is of the Bigness of a _Turkey Bean_, and the Shrub bears a white Flower. The Fruit, or Berries, they burn, or roast, in a dry Pan; after which they grind them, and boil them in Water, which they drink, and which has a Kind of hot, unpleasant Taste. It is esteemed a great Cooler; for which Reason it is drank by most; but if it is used to Excess, it extinguishes the Inclination to Venery, and induces Sterility." The Seed _Bon_, or _Ban_, is collected from a Tree bearing its own Name, if we may believe _Prosper Alpinus, Lib. de Plant. Egypt. Cap. 16_. This Author, after residing some Years in _Egypt_, saw the _Bhon-Tree_ in the Green-House of _Hali Bei_, the _Turk_. An intire Description and Cut of this Tree is also to be found in _Tom. 1. Lib. 4. Histor. Plantar. Univers. Cap. 5._ Since, therefore, _Alpinus_ compares this Tree to our _Euonymus_, and says, that the former resembles the latter: Hence _Caspar Bauhine_, in his _Pinax_, places it among the Species of _Euonymus_, and calls it the _Egyptian Bon, like the Euonymus, with a Fruit like Bay-Berries, from whose Seeds the Egyptians make their Liquor, called Coava._ Though this Fruit, with respect to Figure, Bark, and Colour, is highly similar to Bay-Berries, yet it is far less in Bulk. In my Opinion, it most resembles the Seeds of the admirable _Peruvian_ Tree, Decoctions of which, are used by the _Eastern_ Nations, the _Egyptians_, _Turks_, and _Persians_, for corroborating a cold Stomach, assisting Concoction, and removing Obstructions of the _Viscera_. They also, with Success, use this Decoction for many Days against old Obstructions, and cold Tumors of the Liver and Spleen. This Decoction, according to _Alpinus_, seems also appropriated to the _Uterus_, which it warms, and frees from Obstructions: Thus, the _Egyptian_ and _Arabian_ Women, for the due Evacuation of their _Menses_, use this Decoction for several Days after they commence. Hence, according to _Olearius_, the _Persians_ are not afraid, lest the Decoction of _Cavve_ render them cold; unless we should also say, that _Agnus Castus_ which induces Sterility, is also of a cold Temperature: But this Doubt will be cleared by-and-by. It were to be wished, that the celebrated _Johannes Weslingius_, who also travelled into _Egypt_, had had an Opportunity of seeing this Tree; since he would have given us a more accurate Description of it, than we have hitherto got; for, in _Commentar. in Prosper. Alpin._ he tells us, that the Fruit of this Tree is brought from _Jamin_, or _Arabia Felix_ into _Egypt_; and, that a Decoction of it is sold in some Thousands of Taverns at _Memphis_. _Prosper. Alpinus_ also, in _Lib. de Medicina Egyptor. Lib. 4. Cap. 3._ when treating of the Decoctions used by the _Egyptians_, whether sick, or in Health, tells us, that, in a particular Manner, they make use of the Decoction called _Choava_, prepared with the Coats or Husk of the Seeds called _Bon_. Then he describes the Preparation of _Bon_, by telling us, that it smells like Corn, Rye, Barley, or Pease, when thrown upon live Coals, and burned a little. _Alpinus_, however, endeavors to evince, that the Seeds of _Bon_ consist of two Substances, the one thick and earthy, by which they brace up and corroborate, and the other thin and subtile, by which they heat, absterge, and remove Obstructions. That they are highly drying is certain, but I cannot for this Reason comprehend why _Prosper Alpinus_ asserts, that Cold prevails moderately in them; for they act by their whole Substance, both by their Salt and both Kinds of Sulphur: So that it is highly probable they produce these Effects, on account of their ungrateful Taste and Smell. But it is said these Seeds are corrected with Sugar. Thus _Weslingius_ informs us, "that some correct the Bitterness of this Decoction with Sugar, and preserve the whole Kernel of the Fruit incrustated with Sugar. Nor is this only customary in _Egypt_, but also through all the Provinces of _Persia_. This renders the Seeds _Bon_ not only dear, but scarce, in _Europe_." Though _Weslingius_ thinks that these Seeds are useful to the _Europeans_, yet I am of a different Opinion; for, in like Manner, the _Europeans_ have resolved to sweeten, not only their _Coffee_, but also their _Chocolate_ and _Tea_, without having any View to prevent Disorders, or recover Health; but only to follow the Customs of the _Asiatics_, and indulge themselves in a Liquor, whose Taste is pleasant to them.