Tea has been popular for thousands of years. The origin of the wild tea plant, Camellia sinensis, has been traced to Assam, and also to China. As far back as 1906, tea was believed to be an antibacterial substance, which could help to protect soldiers from typhoid fever. In the 1800s, soaking a cloth in tea and applying it to the eye to cure styes was also advised. In more recent times, tea’s antibacterial effects have been proven using modern science, with studies showing it to be effective against Helicobacter (a nasty bug linked to stomach ulcers), food poisoning bacteria (such as E. coli and Salmonella), and mouth bacteria that help to cause dental decay. Modern research confirms that drinking three or more cups of the ancient remedy a day reduces your risk of heart disease.