VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 85 



of preparation, or the condition of the substance is important 

 in determining its efficacy in the treatment of disease. Without 

 doubt, in some instances the difference in the species of the 

 plant from which the leaf is obtained, will explain the apparent 

 difference in physiological action, but often the distinction 

 made by the native doctor is merely empirical or imaginary. 

 Some of the more important of these " medicinal teas " are 

 here given. 



^ i'5 ^ (P'n-erh-ch'a), 1052, comes from P'uerhfu in 

 Yunnan. The genuine article is in the form of a ball, about 

 the size of a man's head, containing approximately five catties. 

 On account of its shape and size, it is also known as "man 

 head tea" (A Bl ^)- I'he commonest kind of so called P'u- 

 erh tea, however, is in the form of a cake about the size of a 

 breakfast plate, and comes from Southern Szechuan near the 

 borders of Yunnan. There is little difference in the quality 

 of these, although that in the ball form is the more highly 

 esteemed by the Chinese. This tea is regarded as an excellent 

 digestive, assisting in dissolving fats, neutralizing poisons in 

 the digestive tract, besides being deobstruent and promoting 

 secretion. Marvelous stories are told in regard to the solvent 

 action of this article ; it being said to dissolve even metals, like 

 gold and iron. If to a pot in which a fowl or piece of meat 

 is being cooked, is added a portion of this tea, flesh, bones, and 

 stock are converted into a most nourishing broth. It is pre- 

 sumed that the pot must be of earthenware, else an undue 

 proportion of iron would be added to the mixture. 



11 ^ ^ (Lung-chi-ch'a) comes from the province of 

 Kwangsi, and is sometimes made into brick tea. It is reputed 

 to be good for the treatment of malaria and all forms of toxae- 

 mia. It is also used in dysentery and diarrhoea. 



^ fij ;^ (An-hua-ch'a) is from Hunan. The leaves pro- 

 duce a tea rather dark in color, and of a sweetish bitter taste. 

 Its use is that of ordinary tea, but as its tonic and strengthen- 

 ing properties are considered to exceed those of the common 

 article, it is held in high esteem in sickness, fatigue, or bodily 

 weakness. One brand of this tea, known as ffg ^^ i^ 

 (Hsiang-tan-ch'a) is all sent to the imperial capital for the use 

 of the emperor, princes, and high officials. 



