Every pioneer garden, plus many today, include herbs beside the vegetables. In a 21st century garden, the herbs are likely used for cooking — fresh basil and parsley come to mind.
In the 19th century, a wider variety of herbs were grown and used both in cooking and for medicine. They were used as a tea to calm stomach problems and treat fevers. Others were used as a poultice to ease pain or draw out an infection.
This sage plant, a beauty when blooming, has many uses in the kitchen. The leaves, dried and crushed add flavor to many meat dishes and poultry stuffing. I can also imagine sage combined with other herbs or dried flowers in a little sachet in the wardrobe among your finest clothes.
In the sweet historical romance, New Dreams, the owners of the bakery maintain a garden. Among the cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, I imagine sage, rosemary, and parsley. Check out the book for a look into immigrants adjusting to life in America. Here’s a link: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE
