Holyland Sage

(Menorah plant; Judean sage) This beautiful native of the Holy land, with its flowering branches divided into seven, is the inspiration for the biblical menorah. Its importance as a spiritual symbol, however, predates the Jewish bible because dried flowers were found lining a grave more than 13,000 years old in Israel. It has long symbolized wisdom. Since ancient times it was used as a poultice to treat "foul lesions" according to one account. Surprisingly there has been little research work on this plant, but initial reports are showing that it has potent antioxidant properties much like those reported in other sages.