How did Monkeys Influence the Spread of Tea?

For thousands of years monkeys have had a symbiotic relationship with the Camellia Sinensis (Tea) plant. It is a fact that over 40% of the tea plant is comprised of phenolics in the leaf.

Phenolics are ranked among the most powerful anti bacteria substances known to man and it is a fact that monkeys have the ability to consume plants that they perceive to be beneficial to their health.

When the tea leaves were consumed by monkeys, the phenolics cleansed their mouths and digestive tracts as well as wounds and sores on their skin. And tea had an evolutionary effect on monkeys as the healthier ones who fed on the tea plant thrived and travelled throughout Southeast Asia.

Many scientists have concluded that the existence of healthy, well travelled monkeys spread the existence of the tea plant into southern China and merchants and farmers soon noticed the beneficial effects of the tea plant.