Herb of the Month: Chives – Tiny Herb with Impact

By Rose Swartz April 5, 2023 17 mins read 95 Views

Welcome to Belovedsaffron.com, where we embrace everything related to spices, herbs, nutritious food, and organic eating! We are not professional chefs but food enthusiasts who enjoy exploring the various flavors from across the globe. My passion for cooking with saffron sparked the launch of this website--but it is much more than just about saffron and recipes! Our mission is to promote organic farming and sustainable eating habits actively. Around the world, countless people dedicate their lives to preparing delicious meals in their home kitchens or five-star restaurants. If you would like to contribute a blog article or share family recipes with the rest of the world, please don't hesitate to reach out to [email protected]. Good food deserves a spotlight—and here at Belovedsaffron.com, we are shining that spotlight on YOU!

For now, love yourself and enjoy this one ...

by Maryann Readal

Allium schoenprasum (chives) is a member of the Amaryllidaceae Family. It's in the same family with shallots, Chinese chives and garlic. The hollow, grass-like stalks of the star-shaped purple flowers can be eaten. This perennial herb is easy to grow and thrives in sun or partial sun. It also likes well-drained soil. Chives flower in spring in warmer areas, while they bloom in summer in cooler regions. In cooler areas, plants will die but they will recover from tiny bulbs in spring. It is the only Allium native to North America, Europe and Asia. It's interesting to see that "chives" is often used in its plural form. It is possible that you can't eat one of these chives.

They have been used in gardens for years as an insect repellent due to their sulfur compounds. It is especially effective against Japanese beetles. Despite their sulfur scent, chive flower attracts bees and other insects to the garden. According to the UK Insect Pollinators Initiative, the Agriland Project, 2014 study, chives were ranked as one of the top ten most sugar-producing plant species for pollinators (Memmott 2014). The juice from chive leaves has also been shown to be effective in fighting some fungal infections. This is another reason to have it grow in your rose garden, as roses are vulnerable to fungal pathogens.

Rock gardens can also benefit from chives. Their roots keep dirt from slipping between rocks. With their purple flowers and green stalks, they would make a great addition to fairy gardens. For easy cooking, chive can be grown indoors in a sunny window sill. To encourage new growth, it is recommended that chives be harvested at the soil line. During the growing season, stems should be cut multiple times.

Chives are primarily used as a culinary herb. They can be used to flavor eggs, sour cream on potatoes, spreads and salads with a mild onion flavor. They are best used to garnish the food or at the end of cooking due to their delicate flavor. Some traditional Polish, German and Swedish dishes include chives. They are also included in French fines herbs along with chervil and tarragon. Vinegar can be enriched with flowers, which are delicious and vibrant. You can chop chives and freeze them for later use. The freshest leaves are the best.

Since 5,000 years, chives have been used medicinally. Marco Polo brought chives from China to the West after he visited China, where they had been used medicinally and as a culinary herb for over 2,000 years. They were used by the Romans to treat sunburn, sore throat, diuretic and to lower blood pressure. Pliny the Elder wrote in Natural History in 1977 A.D. that Nero gave chives "importance" and that he ate chives preserved with oil on certain days every month. Marcus Valerius Martialis, a Roman poet, warned that anyone who carries chives on their breath is safe from being rubbed to death. Romanian Gypsies used the chives to tell their fortunes. Some people believed that chives would repel evil spirits and sickness from their homes during the Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages, chives were also used in soups and stews. Chive seeds were brought to America by colonists. Farmers in Holland were known to give chives to their cows to make different tasting milk in the 19th century.

Researchers believe that chives and the other members of the chives family can be used in medicine. Varinder Singh and colleagues state that "scientific evaluation of chives validates their traditional claims and demonstrates varied pharmacological potential including an antioxidant, anticancer and antihypertensive." However, they also note that more research is needed to determine the bioactive components of chives. It would appear that significant health benefits would only be achieved if chives were consumed in large quantities.

The Herb Society of America's April Herb of the month is chives. Visit the website for more information, including a screensaver and recipes.

Medicinal Disclaimer. It is against the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. to recommend or advise herbs for medical or health purposes. This information should not be construed as a recommendation of or endorsement of any medical or health treatment. Before you try any herbal treatment, please consult your doctor.

Credits:1) Bee visiting chive blossoms. (Geert Hvit); 2. Chives growing on a rock garden. (Jinka DI). 3) Loaded potato with chives. (courtesy the author); 4. Pliny The Elder. (Public Domain); 5. A collection of chive stalks. (courtesy the author).

Refers

Coonse, Marian. 1995. The handbook for gardeners: Onions, leeks, and garlic Texas A&M University Press, College Station

Friends of the D.D. Collins House. n.d. Herbs. Accessed 02/12/23. Available from https://www.friendsoftheddcollinshouse.org/herbs

Kowalchik, Claire & William H. Hylton, eds. 1998. Rodale's illustrated herb encyclopedia. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.

Memmott, Jane. 2014. The national scale of nectar resources can be quantified by comparing the flower's size to the national one. Accessible at http://www.agriland.leeds.ac.uk/news/documents/4_JaneMemmottnectarresources.pdf. Available from https://www.agriland.leeds.ac.uk/news/documents/4_JaneMemmottnectarresources.pdf

Mohr, Susan. n.d. Chives. Allium schoenoprasum. Accessed February 27, 23. Available from https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/chives-allium-schoenoprasum/

Pliny. 1938. Natural history. H. Rackham translator. Loeb Classical Library. Accessed on 3/3/23. Available from https://www.loebclassics.com/view/pliny_elder-natural_history/1938/pb_LCL371.491.xml?readMode=recto

Singh, Varinder, et al. 2017. Allium schoenoprasum: A review on phytochemistry, pharmacology, and future directions. Natural Product Research, Vol. 32, No. 18. Accessed 3/4/23. Available from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14786419.2017.1367783

Small, Ernest. 2013. North American cornucopia: Top 100 Indigenous food plants. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Maryann is The Herb Society of America's Secretary and a Texas Master Gardener. She is also a member in Huntsville, Texas of The Society's Texas Thyme Unit. Maryann is also certified Native Landscape Specialist. She lectures on herbs and plants, and she also does herb training for Master Gardener programs. She grows pines in East Texas' Piney Woods.

By: The Herb Society of America
Title: Herb of the Month: Chives – Tiny Herb with Impact
Sourced From: herbsocietyblog.wordpress.com/2023/04/03/herb-of-the-month-chives-tiny-herb-with-impact/
Published Date: Mon, 03 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

Is basil good for kidneys?

The answer is yes. Basil is an excellent food for kidney health. It contains potassium which helps reduce high blood pressure. It also contains vitamin K, which is essential for bone strength. As well as this, it is rich in antioxidants which help protect against heart disease.

Basil is great for digestion too. It contains digestive enzymes that break down protein and carbohydrates. This makes it easier to absorb nutrients from your meals.

Basil is a wonderful addition to any diet. Try sprinkling some over pasta dishes, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Or add little stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fish, meat, and tofu.

It's delicious in pesto sauce and fresh in salad dressings. You'll find many recipes online where you can learn how to cook with basil.

Try making basil oil by adding a few drops of pure olive oil to a jar filled with chopped basil leaves. Let it steep overnight, and then strain out the leaves. Use the oil as a massage oil or rub it onto your skin.

It will leave your skin soft and smooth.

What spice is good for inflammation?

Turmeric is one spice that can be beneficial for reducing inflammation. It contains the active ingredient curcumin, which has been studied extensively and shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. Other spices like ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, garlic, and cardamom may also reduce inflammation in the body. Adding these spices to your diet can help reduce inflammation and promote overall health.

Another spice that can be used to reduce inflammation is black pepper. The active ingredient in black pepper, piperine, has been studied and found to have anti-inflammatory properties. It may also help reduce pain associated with inflammation. Additionally, the spice contains antioxidants which are beneficial for overall health.

Adding black pepper to your diet may help reduce inflammation and promote overall health. Be sure to talk with your doctor before adding any spice to your diet, as some spices may interact with your medications or supplements. Eating various healthy foods, including spices with anti-inflammatory benefits, can help keep your body balanced and reduce the risk of chronic inflammation-related illnesses.

In summary, adding spices to your diet can be beneficial for reducing inflammation and promoting overall health. Spices like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, garlic, cardamom, and black pepper have all been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory effects.

Which plant has antibiotic and wound-healing properties?

People often ask about plants that have medicinal uses. Some of these include aloe vera, eucalyptus, chamomile, and lavender. If you're wondering why there aren't any plants used for cleaning and disinfecting purposes, it's because most plants have toxic qualities.

The reason why we use herbs for medicine is that they contain compounds that stimulate our immune system. This means that they help us fight infections and heal wounds.

Some plants also have anti-inflammatory properties. These include ginger, turmeric, and mint.

Herbs such as basil, fennel, marigold, and oregano are great for cleansing the body.

There are even some plants that help prevent cancer. Research shows that black raspberries may reduce the chances of developing breast cancer. The same goes for broccoli. It can help prevent colon cancer.

Statistics

Herbs are among the most popular and widely used medicinal remedies. According to a survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, herbs were used by over 38% of adults in the United States.
The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.

External Links

How To

What to look for in herbs?

Herbs contain natural compounds that may help treat various conditions. In addition, herbal remedies may provide relief when used along with conventional treatments.

Herbal remedies include teas, capsules, tablets, ointments, creams, lotions, oils, and topical applications. Some of these products are meant to be taken internally, while others are applied externally.

The most common uses of herbal remedies include relieving minor aches and pains, treating cold symptoms, reducing fever, controlling coughs and sore throats, easing digestion problems, soothing skin irritations, alleviating menstrual cramps, and providing general health benefits.

When buying herbs, look for the following:

Freshly picked plants. Avoid dried herbs unless they've been stored in a cool place. If possible, buy herbs directly from farmers' markets.
Pure extracts. These are made by extracting the active ingredients from herbs using alcohol or water. Look for 100% pure extractions.
Certified organic herbs. Organic herbs must meet strict standards set forth by the USDA.
Natural flavors. Many herbs have strong scents that can overwhelm other foods. Adding flavorings such as vanilla, almond, or orange helps mask their smell.
Potency. The amount of active ingredient per unit weight varies depending on the type of herb.
Packaging. When purchasing herbs, check the packaging to ensure that it's clean and free of chemicals.