The Natural History of the Tea-Tree, with Observations on the Medical Qualities of Tea, and on the Effects of Tea-Drinking

"The Natural History of the Tea-Tree, with Observations on the Medical Qualities of Tea" by John Coakley Lettsom is a scientific publication written in the late 18th century. The work explores the botanical aspects of the tea plant and its cultural and economic significance, particularly as it gained popularity in Europe. The text likely discusses the cultivation, preparation, and health effects of tea, contributing to its understanding as both a beverage and a medicinal herb. At the start of the text, Lettsom provides a background on the tea plant, indicating that it was cultivated in Asia, specifically China and Japan. He mentions the introduction of the tea plant to Europe and discusses its growing popularity among the public during that period. The opening also highlights various historical references and contributes to an understanding of tea's historical context, as well as detailing its cultivation processes and the challenges faced in bringing the plant to European gardens. Lettsom outlines the need for a more concise understanding of tea’s properties, given the diverse opinions on its effects and benefits. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Coakley Lettsom FRS was an English physician and philanthropist born on Little Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands into an early Quaker settlement. The son of a West Indian planter and an Irish mother, he grew up to be an abolitionist. He founded the Medical Society of London in 1773, convinced that a combined membership of physicians, surgeons and apothecaries would prove productive. As the oldest such in the United Kingdom, it is housed in London's medical community at Lettsome House, Chandos Street, near Cavendish Square. Lettsom was its mainstay, as founder, president and benefactor.