eat much were generally Thieves, and Soldiers; and such as eat Flesh
were Sycophants and Tale-Bearers. Hence the _Quadragesimal_ Fast,
in _Concil. Laodicen. Canon. 50._ is ordered to be kept with Bread,
Salt, and Water, as _Christoph. Justellus_ explains the Word Ξηροφαγία
from _Epiphanius_:" Hence the eating little Flesh, but somewhat more
Broth, is conducive to the Preservation of Health: So that the slender,
spare Diet of the _Asiatics_ protracts their Lives to extreme old Age;
whereas, the full and luxurious Regimen of the _Europeans_, cuts them
off, before the natural Period of their Life is expired: So happy a
Tendency have a clement Air, and a proper Regimen, if not to protract
Life, yet, at least, to preserve Health, and prevent Diseases. Not
only _Tea_, which we have from the _East_, but also _Chocolate_, which
is imported from the _West Indies_, begins to be famous: With respect
to this latter Commodity, the Reader may consult _Antonius Colmerus
de Ledesma_, whose Work is translated from _Spanish_ into _Latin_,
by _Marcus Aurelius Severinus_. But I proceed in the History of
_Tea_, which is possessed of admirable Qualities; since, according to
_Rhodius_, "It relieves the Head, prevents Vapours, and is a Specific
against the _Hemicrania_; since, when he was afflicted with this, or
any other Disorder of the Head, he was, by drinking _Tea_, immediately
relieved. It also prevents Sleep, corroborates the Stomach, purges
the Kidnies from Stones and Gravel; and, according to _Varenius_, is
of singular Efficacy in removing the Uneasiness arising from previous
Surfeits, and all pituitous Disorders." _Olearius_ also affirms,
that it is possessed of constrictive and astringent Quality, and is
highly salutary to the Stomach, Lungs, Liver, Blood, and all the human
_Viscera_, which it deterges and corroborates; that it expels the
Stone, removes Head-achs, and dries up all superfluous and redundant
Homours, which occasion Laziness and Drowsiness. _Johannes Albertus von
Mandelslo_ informs us, that the Water impregnated with _Tea_, is not
only much admired by the _Indians_, but also highly esteemed by the
_Dutch_, who frequently use it for evacuating Phlegm, corroborating
the Stomach, heating and strengthening all the _Viscera_; and that he
was convinced, that by drinking three Times a-day, large Quantities
of _Tea_, which is of an astringent Quality, he was freed from a
violent Uneasiness and _Diarrhœa_ at _Surat_. _Gulielmus Leyl_ asserts,
that it corroborates the Stomach, and assists its concoctive Powers,
heats the Members, and removes all excrementitious Humours, which it
expels by Urine, or in some other Manner; that it removes the Gravel
and Gout, as he experienced in himself, when Governor of the Camp
of _Danisburg_, in the Island of _Cormandel_, in the _East Indies_;
that he was racked with the Gout upon his Return into _Europe_;
that _Tea_ removes Intoxication, renders Men active in transacting
Business, and prevents Sleep. Though I do not in the least doubt
of the Truth of these Assertions, yet I shall prove, that the true
_Myrtle_, is possessed of the same, and other excellent Qualities;
since it not only seems to be, but really is, a Species of _Tea_. If,
therefore, the Leaves of the _Danish_ and _German_ Myrtle, called
_Chamelæagnus_, vary much among themselves, and greatly resemble _Tea_,
may we not conclude, that the Leaves of _Tea_, the _Myrtle_, and the
_Chamelæagnus_, also agree in Virtues and Qualities. This is what I
now intend to evince. _Hippocrates_, therefore, in order to shew the
Efficacy of the _Myrtle_ in curing and removing Diseases, in _Lib. de
Superfætat, Sect. 3._ tells us, that when the Mouth of the _Uterus_ is
præternaturally constricted, it is opened by a Suffumigation, for which
Purpose, among other Things, he orders green _Myrtle_ Leaves contused.
He prescribes them green, and not dry, because the former most abound
with Sulphur and volatile Parts; whereas the latter contain little
of these; but, on account of their terrestrial, and somewhat hot
Parts, are violently drying; for which Crasis and Diversity of Parts,
as _Myrtle_ is but gently, or hardly, hot at all, _Galen_ calls it
cold. This Effect, therefore, mentioned by _Hippocrates_, evinces,
that _Myrtle_ consists of very subtle Parts, and is of a highly drying
Quality. I am surprized, that the Writers of the _Chinese_ History,
have not determined, whether _Tea_ was beneficial for both Sexes. The
same _Hippocrates_, in _Lib. 1. de Morb. Mulieb. Sect. 5. Ver. 6._
among other Things proper for expelling a corrupted _Fœtus_, prescribes
_Myrtle-Berries_, _Sweet Flag_, and _Lentiles_, boiled in Wine, and, a
little after, he recommends _Pessary_ of the Leaves of _Myrtle_ for the
same Purpose: And in _Lib. de Natur. Muliebr. Sect. 5._ he orders the
Fruit of the _Black Myrtle_ macerated in Water, and mixed up with fine
Flower, to be exhibited as a Medicine for rendering the Body soluble,
and opening the _Uterus_. _Galen_ also, in _Lib. 7. Med. Simpl._
informs us, "That _Myrtle_ consists of contrary and heterogeneous
Substances, that a cold and terrestrial Principle, however,
predominates in it, notwithstanding which, it has a certain subtile
Heat, in consequence of which, it is of an highly drying Nature: That
the Leaves, the Buds, the Fruit, and the Juice, have different Degrees
of Astringency; that the dried Leaves are more exsiccant than such
as are green; and that all Parts of the Plant are of an astringent
Quality, whether used internally or externally." The same Author, in
_Lib. 2. de Aliment. Facultat. Cap. 18._ affirms, that, like the Fruit
of the _Juniper_, it nourishes little, though it is possessed of a
contrary Quality: "For, _says he_, it is highly astringent; and, for
that Reason, stops Fluxes; but its Coldness does not bear a Proportion
to the Degree of its Astringency." (Circumstances which ought to be
carefully adverted to in investigating the Virtues of _Tea_, the
_Myrtle_, and the _Chamelæagnus_) "because it is not only astringent,
but also possessed of a certain Acrimony. Besides, it is peculiar to
all Aliments, possessed of a strong medicinal Quality, to lose that
Quality," (which Words I would have the Reader carefully observe) "by
boiling, roasting, or Maceration; after which they afford but little
Nourishment, and before none at all: This holds true in Onions and
Leeks." _Diascorides_, in _Lib. 1. Cap. 156_, tells us, "That the
_Myrtle_ and its Seeds are of an astringent Quality; and, that the
Juice expressed from the green Berries, produces the same Effects, is
beneficial to the Stomach, creates a Discharge of Urine, and cures the
Bites of venomous Spiders and Scorpions, if drank in Wine." He also
informs us, that there are two Kinds of _Myrtles_, in like Manner as
there are two Kinds of _Tea_, sent into _Europe_, by the _Chinese_.
_Athenæus_, in _Deipnosophist. Lib. 15._ tells us, "That such of the
_Greeks_ as were afflicted with Head-achs by drinking too much Wine at
their Feasts, stood in need of a Remedy for their Disorder, which, by a
certain Instinct of Nature, they knew to be most expeditiously removed
by Bundles of Flowers, and especially by Garlands wore on the Head;
for, according to _Andreas_, when any one was seized with an Head-ach,
his Pain was forthwith alleviated by tying it tight up:" (This may
be accounted for from _Harvey's_ late Discovery of the _Circulation
of the Blood_) "For this Reason they swathed the Heads of those who
had drank to Excess, with a Crown wove of an hederaceous Plant, which
is plentifully produced without any Culture, which is sufficiently
beautiful, and throws a grateful Shade over Forehead and Eyes. For this
Reason such Crowns seem to have been dedicated to _Bacchus_, who both
invented Wine, and was supposed to remove the Disorders produced by
it: But, in process of Time, Mankind became so voluptuous, that they
were not content to have the Effects of Drunkenness removed by this
Disorder; but also sought to gratify their Smell and Eyes. Then they
began to use a Crown of _Myrtle_, which is astringent, and dispels the
Exhalations of Wine, or a Garland of Roses, which, in some measure,
alleviates the Pain of the Head, and cools those who are overheated by
excessive Drinking: But over their Cups, they never used the Laurel,
which is heating, and of a disagreeable Smell: They also rejected
Violets, which by their Smell offend the Head, and every other Thing,
which could either create Uneasiness, or produce Obstructions." And
afterwards, he declares himself of _Philonis'_s Opinion, in the
following Words: "But I am intirely of the Sentiments of _Philonis_,
who affirmed, that a Crown of _Myrtle_ dispelled the Vapours of Wine,
and a Garland of _Roses_ refrigerated and alleviated the Pain of
the Head." _Bodæus, a Stapelen._ in _Comment. Lib. 4. Hist. Plant.
Theophr._ informs us, from _Clemens Alexandrinus_, "that the _Myrtle_
was efficacious for exciting Laughter, which is represented as the
Concomitant of _Venus:_" And he adds, that _Myrtle_ was supposed to be
so grateful to this Goddess, that all who celebrated her Festivals,
were adorned with Crowns of it. The same Author, from _Athenæus_
informs us, that the _Lesbians_ crowned themselves with Wreaths of
_Myrtle_ Twigs, which they called _Hypothymidæ_; because, as he tells
us, they refreshed and revived the Brain by their grateful Fragrance.
Those who desire to know more concerning the Virtues of the _Myrtle_,
may consult the _Histor. Plantar. Universal. Ebrodunens. Herbarior.
Lib. 5. Cap. 1._ where, what we have advanced, is farther confirmed,
or similar Qualities of the _Myrtle_ ascertained. But we proceed to
enquire into the Virtues and Qualities of the _Myrtus Brabantica_, or
_Chamelæagnus_. Though a great deal is not said of this Plant, which
_Bauhine_ calls the _Rhus Myrtifolia Belgica_, either by the antient
or modern Botanists; yet that it is possessed of singular Virtues,
is evinced from this, that _Pliny_, in _Lib. 24. Cap. 11._ informs
us, that the Herb called _Rhus_, which, according to _Clusius_ and
_Dodonæus_, is our _Chamelæagnus_, expels Poison, and cures scalled
Heads; a signal Proof, that whether green, or dry, it abounds with a
singular volatile Salt and Sulphur; which is also farther confirmed,
partly by its acrid, tho' not ungrateful Smell, and partly by the
Effects it produces. This is sufficiently confirmed by the Authority of
_Dodonæus_, who speaks of its Qualities and Virtues in the following
Manner: "Its Seeds, _says he_, are intensely hot and dry, almost in
the third Degree: Its Leaves are also hot and dry, though in a much
smaller Degree: Its Fruit, which is prejudicial to the Brain, when
used in preparing Ale, which is customary with many, renders the Ale
highly offensive to the Head, and soon productive of Intoxication or
Drunkenness. The whole Shrub, and its Fruit, when dried, and laid among
Clothes, preserve them from Moths and Worms." It also banishes Dormice,
as I have observed in my _Quadripartit. Botan._ Besides, a certain
Person of great Distinction in _Holstein_, and a Man of the strictest
Veracity, informs me, that the _Polanders_ use our _Chamelæagnus_ for
killing the Lice of their Hogs; for, if this Plant is strewed under
them in their Styes, the Lice which infest them will be destroyed in
a few Hours; nor will their Nits ever become alive. Besides, Serpents
are never found to have their Holes in those Forests, which produce the
_Chamelæagnus_, nor are they ever observed to come near it, much less
to creep through it, as I have been informed by Forest-Keepers of great
Veracity. It is not, therefore, to be denied, but the _Chamelæagnus_
is an Herb of singular and excellent Virtues, since it produces these,
and a great many other uncommon Effects. _Dalechampius_, Author of
the _Herbarum Lugdunense_, in _Cap. 1._ gives us the following Account
of it: "The _Rhus Sylvestris Dodonæi_, and the _Rhus Plinii_ seems
to be another Plant, which is by some called the _Myrtus_, by others
the _Pseudomyrsine_, and the _Myrtus Brabantica_. It is a low, woody,
hard Plant, with many Branches, which bear pretty long Leaves, not
unlike those of the _Box-Tree_. Between the Branches rise many Twigs,
bearing, as it were, a great Number of Ears, which are, at first,
loaded with many small Flowers, and afterwards with a Congeries of many
angular Seeds, full of a certain pingueous Humour, of the same bitter
Taste with the Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit, but of a pleasant grateful
Smell. The Inhabitants of _Roan_ in _Normandy_, whose dark and gloomy
Forests produce great Quantities of it, call it _Piment Royale_, as it
were _Melyssophyllum Regium_. The Country People in _Summer_ gather
the Branches loaded with the Leaves and Seeds, tie them up in small
Bundles, for no other Purpose, but to give Clothes an agreeable Scent,
and hinder them from being corroded by Worms and Moths. Its highly
bitter Taste evinces that it is remarkably drying and discutient, and
that it is in a peculiar Manner adapted to kill and expel Worms,
whether exhibited internally, or applied externally: It flowers in the
Months of _May_ and _June_, and bears Fruit in _July_ and _August_."
An anonymous Author, who makes some Additions to _Dodonæus_, speaks
of it in the following Manner: "The _Gagel_ has, in _English_, the
Appellation of Gold from the Gold-coloured Flowers, or the clammy
sulphureous Matter lodged between the Seeds and their Husks. _Gagel_
is, by some, esteemed a good Remedy, in all Cases, wherein the true
_Myrtus_ is used; but this Opinion is false: The Flowers and the clammy
sulphureous Substance lodged between the Seeds, and their Husks, are,
by some, accounted good in Consumptions and all other Disorders of the
Breast. These are also used in making Gold; others use the whole Plant
as an Antidote against Poison. Some put _Gagel_ into Beer instead of
Hops; whilst others put it into Must, affirming, that it gives the Wine
an agreeable Flavour, without injuring the Brain." These last Words
excellently describe those Virtues of the _Chamelæagnus_, in which it
agrees with the _Chinese Tea_, especially as the Author had before
informed us, that, in consequence of its abounding with a viscid,
yellowish Dew, or roscid Sulphur, it was of a drying Quality, and
that it has hitherto been despised, as an Herb possessed of no other
Virtues, than that of intoxicating, when Ale is prepared with it; and
certainly, this Effect is to be ascribed to no other Cause, than the
large Quantity of Sulphur contained in the _Chamelæagnus_: But I am
sensible, that I am entering upon chymical Principles, which I have
fully explained in another Work, when treating of malignant Fevers,
and especially the Nature, Genius, and Effects of volatile Salts and
Sulphurs. Now, as no one has hitherto contradicted any of my Opinions,
I hope this seeming Paradox, with respect to _Tea_, will meet with
the like favourable Reception; for, from the Comparison instituted
between the _Chinese Tea_, and the true _Myrtle_, it is evident, that
they agree, not only in Form, but also in Virtues and Faculties: And
as, not only _Tea_, but also the _Chamelæagnus_, is like the true
_Myrtle_, and may be used as a Succedaneum to it, we cannot doubt, but
the _Chamelæagnus_ is the genuine _Cha_ of the _Tartars_, or _Thee_ of
the _Chinese_; and as I have sufficiently demonstrated this, I hope
the _Europeans_ will not, for the future, be so foolish, as to despise
the _Tea_ produced in their own Climate, in comparison of that which
is brought from _China_: Besides, that _Tea_ is nothing else but our
_Chamelæagnus_, may be proved by the following Syllogism.
Whatever Things agree in Form and Virtues, are of the same Species:
The _Cha_ of the _Tartars_, the _Thee_ of the _Chinese_, and our
_Chamelæagnus_, agree in Form and Virtues:
Therefore, they are all of the same Species and Kind.