Thankfully, the drought is over. I'm thoroughly enjoying my time with Mafia: The Old Country and its beautiful landscapes, which are positively covered in plants. It's refreshing to explore a world that is alive with plants. Not only is it pretty, but it says alot about the artists and developers who worked to include.
I reckon I'm about halfway through the game, and I've already spotted a few plants that are perfect for my "Herbs in Games" series.
1. Mealy Sage (Salvia farinacea - in image above)
My best guess is that the game features Mealy Sage, a plant well-suited for a dry, Sicilian climate. While this particular species is more ornamental and may not have been growing wild in Sicily during the game's time period, it's a fitting nod to the common and widely used forms of sage that are native to Italy.
Sage is a powerful culinary herb, and I highly recommend incorporating it into your cooking. While Mealy Sage isn't known for its flavor, its flowers are a beautiful sight and a fantastic resource for pollinators. The game so far hasn't made any use of the plant beyond its aesthetic appeal, but its presence certainly helps immerse the gamer in the beautiful setting.
Here are some of the well-documented health benefits of common sage:
Cognitive Function: Sage is known to improve memory and thinking skills. Some studies suggest it can be beneficial for individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Menopausal Symptoms: Traditionally used to alleviate menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and excessive sweating, possibly due to its estrogen-like properties.
Oral and Throat Health: With antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, sage is a classic remedy for mouth and throat issues. It's often used in gargles, mouthwashes, and teas to treat sore throats, gum infections, and canker sores.
Digestive Aid: Sage has been used to help with various digestive issues, including indigestion, gas, bloating, and stomach pain, and may aid in the digestion of fatty foods.
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties: Rich in antioxidants, sage helps protect cells from damage, which may contribute to its potential for reducing inflammation and protecting against chronic diseases.
Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Control: Some studies suggest sage may help lower blood sugar and cholesterol.
This plant might also be called Italian Thistle. The thistles in the game look a bit different from the ones in my own yard - they're less leafy but produce a similar flower at the top. While this plant is often considered invasive or a "pest" in modern times, a look back at its history reveals a long tradition of medicinal use.
It's a common supplement found in many stores and is particularly well-known for its benefits to the liver. If you're a drinker, this might be a supplement to consider, though it's certainly not a bad idea for anyone to support their liver health. In addition to its medicinal uses for humans, it's also a great plant for livestock like cows and goats, as well as for pollinators and butterflies.
Here are some of the medicinal benefits:
Liver Health: The most famous use of milk thistle, it contains a powerful antioxidant complex called silymarin that is believed to protect the liver from toxins.
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant: Like many plants in the thistle family, it contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Antibacterial Properties: Research has identified compounds that exhibit antibacterial activity, supporting its traditional use for treating infections.
I've also spotted a beautiful field of lavender, a wonderfully versatile plant we've used in products at Nature's Common Scents. The game truly embraces wildflowers, and I love that. They attract all the right things - pollinators, beauty, and a sense of peacefulness. To me, that's, well, nice. And we need more of that in our games and in our lives.
Finally, a quick mention for what looks like yarrow, a great plant for cuts and scrapes. We even use it in our dog products to help soothe wounded paws and in our dog shampoo!
Thanks for reading. This will also be posted on my sister site that focuses on plants in games called The Open World Apothecary.
I'm enjoying my time with this game and will have a review soon.
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Questions, comments: ljbaby654@gmail.com