Chives

Allium schoenoprasum;

AKA: rush leeks, swivet, sweth

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Historically Used to Treat: urinary tract problems, infections, anemia, bleeding, sunburn, sore throat, low blood pressure

Other Uses: Thought to ward off evil spirits and disease, considered an aphrodisiac.

Chives are best known now, as in the past, as a cooking herb, related to onions and leeks. 17^th-century herbalist Nicolas Culpeper was not particularly fond of chives: “If they be eaten raw. . . they send up very hurtful vapours to the brain, causing troublesome sleep, and spoiling the eye-sight, yet of them, prepared by the art of the alchymist, may be made an excellent remedy for the stoppage of the urine.” (There is, however, no modern evidence of any harmful vapors from chives.)

“He who bears chives on the breath

Is safe from being kissed to death.”

-Marcus Valerius Martialus, circa 100 CE