“An Exact Description of the Growth, Quality, and Vertues of the Leaf TEA, by _Thomas Garway_ in _Exchange Alley_, near the _Royal Exchange_ in _London_, and Seller and Retailer of TEA and COFFEE. “TEA is generally brought from _China_, and groweth there upon little Shrubs or Bushes, the Branches whereof are well garnished with white Flowers that are yellow within, of the bigness and fashion of sweet Brier, but smell unlike, bearing thin green leaves about the bigness of _Scordium_, _Mirtle_, or _Sumack_, and is judged to be a kind of _Sumack_: This Plant hath been reported to grow wild only, but doth not, for they plant it in their Gardens about four foot distance, and it groweth about four foot high, and of the Seeds they maintain and increase their Stock. Of all places in _China_ this Plant groweth in greatest plenty in the Province of _Xemsi_, Latitude 36 degrees, bordering upon the West of the Province of _Honam_, and in the Province of _Namking_, near the City of _Lucheu_; there is likewise of the growth of _Sinam_, _Cochin China_, the Island _de Ladrones_ and _Japan_, and is called _Cha_. Of this famous Leaf there are divers sorts (though all of one shape) some much better than the other, the upper Leaves excelling the other in fineness, a property almost in all Plants, which Leaves they gather every day, and drying them in the shade, or in Iron pans over a gentle fire till the humidity be exhausted, then put up close in Leaden pots, preserve them for their Drink _Tea_, which is used at Meals, and upon all Visits and Entertainments in private Families, and in the Palaces of Grandees. And it is averred by a Padre of _Macao_, native of _Japan_, that the best _Tea_ ought not to be gathered but by Virgins who are destined to this work, and such _Quæ non dum Menstrua patiuntur; gemmæ quæ nascuntur in summitatæ arbuscula, servantur Imperitorie̅, ac præcipuis ejus Dynastis: quæ autem infra nascuntur, ad latera, populo conceduntur_. The said Leaf is of such known vertues, that those very Nations so famous for Antiquity, Knowledge, and Wisdom, do frequently sell it amongst themselves for twice its weight in Silver, and the high estimation of the Drink made therewith, hath occasioned an inquiry into the nature thereof among the most intelligent persons of all Nations that have travelled in those parts, who, after exact Tryal and Experience by all Wayes imaginable, have commended it to the use of their several Countries, for its Vertues and Operations, particularly as followeth, _viz._:— “_The Quality is moderately hot, proper for Winter or Summer._ “_The Drink is declared to be most wholesome, preserving in perfect health untill extreme Old Age._ “_The particular Vertues are these_:— “It maketh the Body clean and lusty. “It helpeth the Head-ach, giddiness and heaviness thereof. “It removeth the Obstructions of the Spleen.