Magical Functions of Tea

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When tea was first introduced to Europe，it was warmly accepted and even acclaimed as a　”blessing from God，”and people went so far as to congratulate themselves on being alive at such a time when tea leaves were found.In China，love for tea is just as，if not more，ardent.

Seal carving，by Huang Yi（1744-1802），Qing Dynastby:inscribed with a line of verse expressing the relaxed mind while drinking tea.

Liu Zhenliang，a tea master of the late Tang Dynasty，whose birth and death years are unknown，once put forward the theory of the”ten virtues”of tea:tea is tasty；tea can maintain health；tea can drive away stinking odors；tea can prevent the attack of diseases；tea can cultivate energy in the human body；tea can relieve depression；tea can improve manners；teacan convey respect；tea can soothe the mind；and tea can uphold justice.This was not merely the personal view of Liu Zhenliang，but ideas shared by a majority of the Chinese people.

Drinking tea is to satisfy the needs of the body as well as the mind.A cup of refreshing tea is able to naturally relieve a person of thirst while giving comfort and pleasure.Accordingtotraditional Chinese medicine，drinking tea can cure a variety of diseases，because the slightly bitter and astringent tea contains elements salutary for the body.This has been proven by modern medicine.Chinese people are fond of tea because it helps to satisfy their physicaland，more，spiritual needs.The Chinese also use tea to express respect，to purify the mind，and to better perceive the meaning of life.

To tea drinkers，the first and foremost pleasure derived from drinking tea is”cleansing.”

Tea prefers to grow in clean places.The cleaner a place，the better the quality of the tea it nurtures.Fine teas usually grow on high mountains，enveloped in clouds and mists and in a clear atmosphere.In such an environment，transparent new tea leaves grow and are picked with the dew still clinging to them，hence the tea leaves carry the refreshing air of nature.A cup of fine tea is crystal clear and refreshingly fragrant，so that it can help the body become cleansed and balanced.