This perennial plant is a member of the Allium genus and is related to garlic and onion. It has a mild garlic-onion flavor. The green stalk is the edible portion, but the flower is also edible and is often used as a garnish. Chives contain high levels of iron, calcium, and several antioxidants so let’s check out the many benefits of this herb.
Benefits
Chives have been used medicinally for many centuries.
- In traditional Chinese medicine it has been used to promote sweating and male fertility.
- Digestive issues such as salmonella and other bacterial infections can be helped with chives. It can also ease upset stomachs and increase nutrient uptake from the food you eat.
- Heart health can be improved because chives contain allicin which has been linked to reduced levels of LDL, and its ability to lower blood pressure levels.
- Improve vision because of the carotenes lutein and zeaxanthin contained in chives. They can be responsible for reducing oxidative stress in the ocular systems and delaying the appearance of cataracts in the eye. It can also slow or prevent macular degeneration.
- Bone health can be improved with vitamin K which is found in chives. Vitamin K is important for the maintenance of bone mineral density and bone integrity.
- Immune system is strengthened with vitamin C found in chives which can boost the production of white blood cells to fight off infections.
Adding this health promoting herb to your diet can be easy and productive for improving your overall health. There are not any real precautions to consuming chives unless you eat a high amount and then you may get an upset stomach. If you are allergic to onions, you would want to consult your health-care provider before adding chives to your regular diet.
Harvest and Storage
As previously noted, chives are pretty easy to grow in your home garden. They are great for pollinators and actually repel some unwanted garden pests such as Japanese beetles. When harvesting from your garden, cut off a small handful at the base of the stem. They can be stored in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, they can be dry frozen or dehydrated. When dehydrating you will lose some of the flavor.
Chives pair well with fish and potatoes, but can be added to soups, sauces, fresh salads, cream cheese, butter, and egg dishes. Chives are prevalent in Mexican, Swedish, and French cuisines. It is one of the herbs in the French “fines herbes” seasoning blend along with tarragon, chervil, and parsley. It is important to note that chives have a delicate flavor, so it is best to add them to your dishes near the very end of cooking or sprinkle on top before serving.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Heather