PROPERTIES. 71 



maintained that bad properties exist, and that, in a highly concentrated 

 state, the decoction is very poisonous. The injurious effects of drink- 

 ing tea, however, if any, may be attributed, we apprehend, more to the 

 hot water in which it is drank than to the qualities of the tea. Tea is 

 a mild narcotic, and like all narcotics in small quantities, is exhilarat- 

 ing ; the green tea is more especially so. It acts as a diuretic and 

 diaphoretic; and it assists digestion. 



Most nutritive and valuable vegetables, when their properties are 

 obtained in a highly concentrated state, are deleterious to man and ani- 

 mals, are narcotic, acrid or poisonous, as with the potato, the ferment- 

 ed juice of the grains, &c. The most poisonous of vegetables are 

 among the most valuable of medicines, and immediate death follows 

 their use in some cases, while in others they restore health and nour- 

 ish the body. The astringency of tea has acted as an antidote to the ef- 

 fects of poisons from vegetable alkalies. Where the bowels are torpid 

 or costive, tea of much strength should be avoided. Its exhilarating 

 effects on the nervous system has recommended it to the studious, hypo- 

 condrical and dispeptic, though, like other excitants, it is followed by 

 more or less depression. It has been recommended in feverish and in- 

 flammatory diseases, though its effects should not interfere with the re- 

 quired sleep of the patient. To those affected with nervous complaints, 

 palpitation of the heart, or great functional disorders, it should be ab- 

 stained from, A knawing at the stomach, vertigo and sick headache 

 are said to be sometimes referable to its use ; but we apprehend these 

 l;ist are seldom. Plethora or morbid fullness and excessive excitement 

 of the brain are diminished by its use, and it is therefore better adapt- 

 ed to those of fleshy habits than to the thin and nervous. Green tea 

 in its effects is more stimulating and occasions ill effects where black 

 tea is devoid of this or any obvious effects, 



It seems in too many cases where the use of particular vegetable 

 food or drinks have been loudly condemned that the declaimer is dis- 

 posed rather to quarrel with the gifts of Providence than to condemn 

 the undue use of them. It is the abase of such and of other produc- 

 tions, laws and blessings of nature, we repeat, that is baneful, or which 

 constitutes crime. The argument is that if these are deleterious in 

 one state they must necessarily be more or less so in all others ; but the 

 falacy of this is shown in their medical use and in the application of 

 the principal to all vegetable products. The introduction of tea and 

 coffee may be said to have produced the greatest change that ever took 

 place in the diet of civilized nations. They afford stimulus without 

 producing intoxication, and the lovers of these beverages are rarely 

 excessive drinkers of ardent spirits. The use of tea has contributed 

 more to the sobriety of the Chinese than the severest laws of that na- 

 tion. The gout and stone are said to be unknown in China ; and this 

 lias been attributed to the use of this plant. 



