Chives

Name: Chives

Other Names: Allium schoenoprasum, chive, civa, schnittlauch, cebolleta, ciboulette, erba cipollina

Description: Botanical Name: Allium schoenoprasum, from the Greek meaning reed-like leek.
Common and Other Names: chives, chive, civa, cepa, schnittlauch, cebolleta, ciboulette, erba cipollina.

Chives are the smallest species of the onion family Alliaceae, native to Europe, Asia and North America.Culinary uses for chives involve shredding its leaves for use as condiment for fish, potatoes and soups. Because of this, it is a common household herb, frequent in gardens as well as in grocery stores.The medical properties of chives are similar to those of garlic, but weaker; the faint effects in comparison with garlic are probably the main reason for its limited use as a medicinal herb. Containing numerous organisulplide compounds such as allyl sulfides and alkyl sulfoxides, chives have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system, acting upon it by lowering the blood pressure. As chives are usually served in small amounts and never as the main dish, negative effects are rarely encountered.