2. Chives make an excellent pet plant
Growing chives near other plants can help keep pests at bay, facilitate pollination, improve soils and increase yields. Here are some plants that benefit from the proximity of chives.
Carrots
Tomatoes
Apples
Roses
Parsley
Strawberries
3. Chives attract useful insects
Chive flowers attract useful insects to your garden
Pollinators such as bees, butterflies and wasps are attracted to the vibrant purple flowers.
4. Chives keep bad insects away
Chives also prevent unwanted insects like aphids, Japanese beetles and carrot flies from your garden. This is mainly due to their onion smell. Plant the chives with other super insect deterrent herbs such as lavender, dill, mint, borage, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme, oregano and basil for an effective defense against pests for your garden.
5. Deer do not like chives
Depending on where you live, it may be difficult to find deer-resistant plants. Chives are one of those good old favorites that will add value to your garden without attracting deer.
6. Help Chives with Digestive Conditions
Chives contain compounds with health benefits similar to garlic. As such, they can help relieve digestive issues. They contain a natural antibacterial quality which eliminates a number of dangerous bacteria such as those of the salmonella family. Chives can also increase the efficiency with which your gut absorbs nutrients.
7. Chives can boost immunity
The high levels of vitamin C in chives promote the production of white blood cells, the engine of your immune system. Make sure you drink lots of chives during cold and flu season.
8. Chives can improve heart health
Allicin is an important organic compound in chives that has been shown to reduce LDL levels and improve heart health. Allicin has also been found to lower blood pressure. Chives also contain quercetin, a potent plaque inhibitor that also lowers cholesterol. This helps prevent atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
9. Chives can improve bone health
Chives contain vitamin K, which is essential for the density and integrity of bones. Vitamin K is not found in many common foods and it is very important to consume it because we lose bone mineral density with age. Loss of bone density is the leading cause of conditions such as osteoporosis and the exacerbation of inflammatory conditions, including arthritis.
10. Chives Can Prevent Cancer
Research has shown that quercetin, found in chives, can prevent certain types of cancer, including the prostate, colon, breast, lungs and ovaries. Vitamin C and vitamin K – also found in chives, can help fight free radicals that can help spread cancer cells. In addition, chives also contain zeaxanthin and lutein, two other antioxidants linked to the risk of oral cancer.
11. Chives are a powerful cleanser
Chives can help detoxify the body mainly because it has slightly diuretic properties. This, combined with their anti-free radical and antibacterial properties, helps to reinforce the detoxification capacity of chives. They stimulate urination which helps the body get rid of toxins, water, salt and even fats.
12. Chives contributes to eye health
With age, the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts increases. Chives reduce oxidative stress and promote eye health.
