"A Curious Herbal", Plate 133. The tomato, or love apple, was also brought to Europe from the Americas. It was "considered cooling and moistening, good for inflammations" The tomato is an edible, often red fruit from the plant Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as a tomato plant. Lycopene has been shown to protect against oxidative damage in many epidemiological and experimental studies. The richest source of lycopene in the diet is tomato and tomato derived products. Tomato consumption has been associated with decreased risk of breast cancer, head and neck cancers and might be strongly protective against neurodegenerative diseases. Tomatoes, tomato sauces and puree are said to help lower urinary tract symptoms (BPH) and may have anticancer properties. Tomato consumption might be beneficial for reducing cardiovascular risk associated with type 2 diabetes. Elizabeth Blackwell (1707-1758) was a famed Scottish illustrator and author who was best known as both the artist and engraver for the plates of "A Curious Herbal" (1737).