TRiViA - Sage

Sage (Salvia officinalis) 

Considering the use of Sage by Benjamin Franklin to deter counterfeiting of Colonial money, perhaps we could nominate it to be the Pennsylvania State Herb.

In 1737 Benjamin Franklin used the art of nature printing to transfer a Sage leaf image onto the back of paper money bills.  The distinctive contours of leaf spines, stems and veins were meant to thwart counterfeiters and Franklin’s workers managed to keep the printing technique a secret that has puzzled modern scholars.

In the Language of Flowers Sage means domestic virtue. It was said that a Sage plant will be healthy when all is well and will wilt when things go badly. 

White Sage (Salvia apiana) is not typically used for cooking but is well known as an incense to burn for spiritual purposes. Leaves are picked and then rolled into a 'smudge stick'. This stick is then burned in an attempt to purify one’s body or home, reminiscent of how it was used by California settlers. We will need several fields of White Sage for 2020.

Sage was used as meat preservative in ancient Greece and Rome.  A University of Arizona study found this herb does have anti-bacterial effects. Sage extracts have a long history of use as food antioxidants, where they help delay the onset of rancidity and preserve color, flavor, and nutrients. #sage #smudging #money

Are you interested herbs? Check out the Herb Sampler at this Blog  POST : [  gardenandlifenotes.blogspot.com/2021/01/herb-sampler-my-book.html  ]

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is available through Amazon at this LINK. [ https://www.amazon.com/Herb-Sampler-Second-Carol-Kagan/dp/1482067463  ]