How can you use corn silk instead of throwing it away. What are the nutritional benefits of corn silk. How do you make corn silk tea. Can corn silk be used as a culinary ingredient. What are some traditional medicinal uses for corn silk.

The Hidden Potential of Corn Silk

As summer arrives, bringing with it the joys of outdoor gatherings and barbeques, corn becomes a staple on many tables. While most people focus on the juicy kernels, there’s a often-overlooked part of this versatile vegetable that deserves attention: corn silk. Instead of discarding these golden strands, let’s explore the numerous ways to utilize this nutrient-rich component of corn.

Nutritional Benefits of Corn Silk

Corn silk is more than just a nuisance to remove. It’s packed with valuable nutrients that can contribute to your overall health. What makes corn silk nutritionally beneficial?

• Rich in vitamin C
• Good source of potassium
• Contains important antioxidants
• Provides beneficial phytochemicals

A 2012 study published in the chemistry journal Molecules highlighted these nutritional aspects, emphasizing corn silk’s potential as a natural health supplement.

Brewing the Perfect Corn Silk Tea

One of the most popular ways to consume corn silk is in the form of a soothing tea. How do you make corn silk tea?

1. Chop 1 tablespoon of corn silk
2. Add to 1 cup of boiling water
3. Let steep for 10-15 minutes
4. Strain and sweeten to taste if desired

This simple brew not only offers a warm, comforting drink but also allows you to enjoy the health benefits of corn silk in an easily digestible form.

Culinary Uses for Corn Silk

Beyond its use in beverages, corn silk can be a unique addition to various dishes. Have you considered using corn silk as a culinary ingredient?

Dried and fried corn silk can transform into a crispy, golden garnish that adds both texture and visual appeal to your plates. Try sprinkling it over:

• Corn-based soups like vegan corn chowder
• Sweet corn ice cream for an unexpected crunch
• Soft-boiled eggs, creating an edible “nest”

These creative applications showcase how a typically discarded ingredient can elevate your culinary creations.

Traditional Medicinal Applications of Corn Silk

Corn silk has been used in various cultures as a natural remedy for centuries. What are some traditional medicinal uses for corn silk?

It has been employed to address various health concerns, including:

• Urinary tract infections
• Kidney stones
• Bedwetting
• Prostatitis
• Gout
• Hyperglycemia

While more research is needed to confirm these benefits, the long-standing use of corn silk in traditional medicine suggests potential health applications worth exploring.

Harvesting and Preserving Corn Silk

To make the most of corn silk, it’s important to know how to properly harvest and store it. What’s the best way to harvest corn silk?

1. Gently pull the silk strands from freshly shucked corn
2. Spread the strands on a clean plate or paper towel
3. Allow to air dry at room temperature
4. Store in an airtight container once completely dry

For optimal quality, use corn silk fresh or immediately after drying. When harvesting, ensure you’re using organic or homegrown corn to avoid potential pesticide contamination.

Sustainability and Waste Reduction

Utilizing corn silk is not just about exploring new flavors or health benefits; it’s also a step towards more sustainable living. How does using corn silk contribute to sustainability?

• Reduces food waste by using more parts of the plant
• Maximizes the value of each corn purchase
• Encourages a more holistic approach to food consumption
• Potentially reduces the need for additional supplements or products

By finding uses for parts of vegetables we typically discard, we can reduce our environmental impact and get more value from our food purchases.

Incorporating Corn Silk into Your Routine

Now that you’re aware of the potential benefits and uses of corn silk, you might be wondering how to incorporate it into your daily life. Here are some practical suggestions:

• Start your day with a cup of corn silk tea
• Use dried corn silk as a natural seasoning for soups and salads
• Experiment with corn silk as a garnish in your favorite recipes
• Consider using corn silk supplements after consulting with a healthcare provider

Remember, while corn silk offers potential benefits, it’s always wise to introduce new elements to your diet gradually and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Corn Silk in Beauty and Skincare

Beyond its culinary and medicinal uses, corn silk has also found its way into the beauty industry. How can corn silk be used in skincare routines?

• As an ingredient in facial toners due to its astringent properties
• In hair care products to add shine and manageability
• As a natural body scrub when mixed with other ingredients

While more research is needed to fully understand its efficacy in beauty applications, the natural properties of corn silk make it an interesting ingredient for those interested in plant-based skincare.

Corn Silk for Pet Health

Interestingly, the benefits of corn silk aren’t limited to humans. Some pet owners and holistic veterinarians have found uses for corn silk in animal care. How might corn silk be beneficial for pets?

• As a natural diuretic for pets with urinary tract issues
• To support kidney health in older animals
• As a gentle, natural remedy for mild digestive upset

As with any change to your pet’s diet or health regimen, it’s crucial to consult with a veterinarian before introducing corn silk or any new supplement.

Corn Silk in Agricultural Practices

While we’ve focused primarily on the uses of corn silk after harvest, it’s worth noting its importance in agriculture. What role does corn silk play in corn cultivation?

• Facilitates pollination, with each strand potentially producing a kernel
• Serves as an indicator of corn health and maturity
• Can be used to predict crop yield and quality

Understanding the role of corn silk in agriculture can deepen our appreciation for this often-overlooked part of the corn plant.

Potential Interactions and Precautions

While corn silk offers numerous potential benefits, it’s important to be aware of possible interactions or side effects. What precautions should be taken when using corn silk?

• May interact with certain medications, particularly diuretics
• Could potentially affect blood sugar levels
• May cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to corn products

As with any supplement or significant dietary change, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating corn silk into your routine, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medications.

The Future of Corn Silk Research

As interest in natural remedies and sustainable practices grows, so does scientific curiosity about corn silk. What areas of corn silk research are scientists currently exploring?

• Potential anti-inflammatory properties
• Its role in managing diabetes and blood sugar levels
• Possible applications in the development of new pharmaceuticals
• Use in creating biodegradable materials

These ongoing studies may reveal even more exciting applications for corn silk in the future, further cementing its status as a valuable resource rather than a waste product.

Corn Silk in Different Cultures

The use of corn silk isn’t limited to any one culture or region. How do different cultures around the world utilize corn silk?

• In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s used to promote urinary health
• Native American tribes have long used it for various medicinal purposes
• In some parts of Southeast Asia, it’s a common ingredient in herbal teas
• European folk medicine traditions incorporate corn silk for its diuretic properties

This global appreciation for corn silk highlights its versatility and potential value across diverse cultural contexts.

Corn Silk and Sustainable Fashion

In an era of increasing environmental consciousness, even the fashion industry is looking to unexpected sources for sustainable materials. Could corn silk play a role in eco-friendly fashion?

• Potential use as a natural fabric dye
• Exploration of corn silk fibers in textile production
• Incorporation into biodegradable packaging for fashion items

While these applications are still largely experimental, they represent exciting possibilities for reducing waste and finding new uses for agricultural by-products like corn silk.

Preserving Corn Silk for Year-Round Use

Given that fresh corn is seasonal in many regions, you might wonder how to enjoy the benefits of corn silk throughout the year. What are some methods for preserving corn silk?

1. Air drying: Spread corn silk on a clean surface and allow to dry naturally
2. Dehydrating: Use a food dehydrator for faster, controlled drying
3. Freezing: Store fresh corn silk in airtight bags in the freezer
4. Tinctures: Create alcohol-based extracts for long-term preservation

By employing these preservation methods, you can ensure a steady supply of corn silk for various uses, even when fresh corn isn’t in season.

Corn Silk in Home Gardening

For those who enjoy growing their own produce, corn silk can be more than just a kitchen ingredient or health supplement. How can gardeners make use of corn silk?

• As a natural mulch to retain soil moisture
• Composted to enrich soil with nutrients
• Used to create a natural pest deterrent spray
• As a biodegradable tie for supporting plants

These applications demonstrate how even in the garden, corn silk can be a valuable resource rather than a waste product.

The Role of Corn Silk in Food Security

As global populations grow and climate change affects agricultural productivity, making the most of every part of our crops becomes increasingly important. How might the utilization of corn silk contribute to food security?

• Provides an additional nutrient source from existing crops
• Offers potential for new food products and supplements
• Could lead to more efficient use of agricultural land
• May inspire similar uses for “waste” products from other crops

By recognizing the value in parts of plants we typically discard, we open up new possibilities for addressing food security challenges.

Corn Silk in Scientific Research

Beyond its practical applications, corn silk serves as a valuable subject for scientific research. What areas of study benefit from corn silk research?

• Botany: Understanding plant reproduction and development
• Pharmacology: Exploring new sources for natural medicines
• Nutrition science: Investigating novel sources of nutrients
• Environmental science: Studying sustainable use of agricultural by-products

This research not only enhances our understanding of corn silk itself but also contributes to broader scientific knowledge in various fields.

The Economic Potential of Corn Silk

As awareness of corn silk’s versatility grows, so does its potential economic value. How might increased utilization of corn silk impact economies?

• Creation of new products and markets
• Additional revenue streams for corn farmers
• Potential for corn silk-based supplements and pharmaceuticals
• Development of corn silk processing industries

By recognizing corn silk as a valuable resource rather than a waste product, we open up possibilities for economic growth and diversification in agricultural communities.

Corn Silk in Art and Crafts

The unique texture and appearance of corn silk make it an intriguing material for artists and crafters. How can corn silk be incorporated into creative projects?

• As a natural fiber in papermaking
• In creating unique textures in mixed media artwork
• As a component in natural dye recipes
• In decorative arrangements, both fresh and dried

These creative applications demonstrate how corn silk can transition from agricultural waste to artistic medium, further expanding its utility and value.

The Future of Corn Silk Utilization

As we continue to explore the potential of corn silk, what might the future hold for this versatile plant part?

• Development of corn silk-based materials for packaging
• Increased use in functional foods and nutraceuticals
• Integration into sustainable agriculture practices
• Exploration of corn silk in renewable energy production

The future of corn silk utilization is likely to be shaped by ongoing research, technological advancements, and our growing need for sustainable solutions in various industries.

As we’ve explored throughout this article, corn silk is far more than just a bothersome part of corn to be discarded. From its nutritional benefits and culinary applications to its potential uses in medicine, agriculture, and even art, corn silk represents an often-overlooked resource with significant potential. By reconsidering our approach to this and other agricultural “by-products,” we open up new possibilities for sustainability, health, and innovation. The next time you’re shucking corn, take a moment to appreciate those silky strands – they might just be more valuable than you think.

What To Do With Corn Silk Instead Of Throwing It Away

Stock for you/Shutterstock

By Vanessa Nix Anthony/Updated: June 22, 2022 11:03 am EST

Summertime is here and that means warm weather, outdoor fun, picnics, barbeques, and corn season. When it comes to cookout time, there’s nothing better than juicy corn-on-the-cob, vibrant and simple corn salads, and elote or Mexican street corn.

Once you’re done using the kernels, there are still loads of delicious uses for the rest of this starchy vegetable’s natural packaging. Tap the endless possibilities available to you via leftover corn husks like making a batch of fresh tamales, or using them as nature’s en papillote, baking up a mouthwatering piece of halibut as in this Los Angeles Times recipe. 

And we’re not done yet because you can put nearly every part of this a-maizing plant to good culinary use — the cobs, too! Watch them work their magic in homemade corn stock for soups or dry them out for later to use in place of wood chips for grilling or smoking meats, as food production sustainability non-profit FoodPrint suggests.

But that still leaves one part of the corn behind. While we all know the luscious bounty corn’s kernels and husks can bring, most folks still throw away the corn silk — one of the most nutritious parts of this tall-growing grain.

But what can I make with corn silk?

Heike Rau/Shutterstock

Corn silk — those flaxen strands of silken thread, flowing from the tops of corn’s protective green husks, cradling their precious golden kernels in a smooth embrace. 

For many of us, corn silk is just another part of the tedious chore of cleaning and prepping corn that we must get past in order to reach the sweetest riches of corn’s sunshine-tinged niblets. Here’s a hack for removing those pesky corn silks quicker, but it’s actually a good idea to hold onto that corn silk. Rather than trash, corn silk contains its own treasures in the form of vitamin C, potassium, and other important antioxidants and phytochemicals, according to a 2012 study published in the chemistry journal Molecules.  

Long considered a natural remedy in cultures all over the world, one of the most popular uses for this nutrient-dense food is corn silk tea. Epicurious says you can brew up a soothing cup with just a tablespoon of chopped corn silk and a cup of boiling water left to steep for about 10 minutes. Add honey or sugar to taste or drink it as is.

Corn silk tops it all

Shafirol Amir/Shutterstock

Surprisingly, there’s more to corn silk than just good nutrition and a warm, comforting cup of tea. You can also dry and fry your corn silks, as Epicurious suggests, turning their golden hue to a rustic brown patina and creating a lovely and crispy garnish. Use this fried corn silk as a topper for corn-rich soups like vegan corn chowder or as a crunchy sweet corn ice cream topping. Ideas in Food cleverly uses fried corn silk to make a nest in which to cradle soft-boiled eggs.

While all of this may seem a bit corny, using all parts of your corn, including the corn silk is not only a flavorsome way to make the most of your food budget and maximize your ingredients, but it’s also a beautifully sustainable way to reduce your footprint in a climate change challenged world.

Recommended

Uses for Corn Silk

Have fresh corn? Don’t throw away that corn silk!

Corn Silk can be used to help alleviate symptoms that go along with: bedwetting, cystitis, prostatitis, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, gout and hyperglycemia.

It’s also a natural source of vitamin K and potassium.

Few things in life are more delightful than discovering the goodness in something that the general population discards without a second thought.

Right now, in my part of the world, sweet corn season has reached its peak.

If you’ve ever shucked a lot of corn, you’ll recall how pesky it is trying to get the silk off of the cob. You’ve probably even muttered some not-so-nice things about it, in the process. (I know I have!)

Well, today, we’re going to talk about a few of the wonderful benefits that corn silk has and why we should view it more as a blessing than a curse.

To harvest corn silk:

Simply pull the golden-green strands off of the ears, when shucking your corn, and spread them out on a plate or paper towel to dry. Corn silk is best used fresh, or as a second best option – freshly dried.

Make sure you use homegrown or organic corn. The silk on conventional corn from the supermarket is likely loaded with pesticides that would be counterintuitive to our goal of increased health.

To make a tea:

1. Use about 1 tablespoon of chopped corn silk per cup of almost boiling water.
2. Cover and let this steep for fifteen to twenty minutes or until cool enough to drink.
3. Strain.
4. Sweeten with raw honey to taste, if you wish.

You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for two to three days. Doses vary depending on your body weight and condition, but a general recommendation for adults is up to 1 cup of tea, two to three times during the day – avoiding the hours right before bedtime. Reduce doses for children accordingly.

To make an alcohol tincture:

1. Fill a small jar about 1/4 to 1/3 full of fresh, chopped corn silk.
2. Fill the rest of the jar with a high proof drinkable alcohol – I use 100 proof vodka.
3. Cap and let this infuse in a cool, dark place for four to six weeks, shaking occasionally.
4. Strain.

Adult dose around 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon, several times a day. (Mix with a spoonful of raw honey for higher patient compliance & tastiness!) Shelf life of corn silk tincture is well over a year.

You can also buy ready made corn silk tincture (extract) from Mountain Rose Herbs.

To make a glycerin tincture/glycerite:

Another way to preserve fresh corn silk, is to use vegetable glycerin to make a tincture, instead of vodka. (You can buy pure, organic vegetable glycerin from Mountain Rose Herbs.)

Glycerites are more suitable for children, pets, and those who wish to avoid alcohol.

1. Using roughly two to three times the amount of glycerin than fresh corn silk, blend the two in a mini-food processor until thoroughly macerated.
2. Pour into a jar, cap and store in a cool dark place, shaking daily.
3. After two weeks, remove and strain your glycerite through a fine mesh sieve and/or several layers of cheesecloth.

A suggested starting dose is 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon, several times a day. (Reduce for smaller children.) Shelf life is about a year.

Corn silk & pets:

Corn Silk can be used to treat many pets. The tea made with fresh silk works best, especially if you are targeting the urinary tract, but a glycerite can be helpful too.

(Suggested tea dose: about 1/4 cup of tea per 20 lbs of body weight, twice per day. Glycerite dose: 1/4 teaspoon per 20 lbs, twice per day.)

Not recommended for pregnant animals. Check with a qualified vet for further guidance on your pet’s particular situation. Please see the book, Herbs for Pets, for more about treating your pets herbally.

If you have an allergy to corn or are taking a prescription diuretic, don’t take corn silk. If you have other medical conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or have general concerns, check with a qualified professional before use..

Corn silk for bedwetting:

Corn Silk is a safe and gentle herb to use in the treatment of bedwetting. Use the tea or tincture during the day (up until about 4 or 5 hours before bed) to help strengthen a weak urinary system. You may want to combine it with plantain or yarrow for more effect.

Remember, there are many causes of bedwetting, including allergies, poor diet, deeper medical issues, and stress.

As a former “accident-prone” sufferer, I implore you to keep exploring options & examine every aspect of your child’s life, if the corn silk doesn’t seem to help after several weeks.

In my case, I had a horrid elementary school teacher that made me a nervous wreck. It’s a very long story and I even ended up seeing a kidney specialist because of the severity of my problem… but, for the sake of brevity, I’ll jump to the solution: once I transferred schools, I never had an accident again.

Corn silk for cystitis, prostatitis, and urinary tract infection:

Corn silk is anti-inflammatory and protects and soothes the urinary tract and kidneys. It acts as a diuretic and increases the output of urine, without adding further irritation to an already inflamed system.

For urinary tract infections, try combining with uva ursi or Oregon grape.

Saw Palmetto combines well with corn silk, to help reduce prostate inflammation and help with pain while urinating.

For cystitis, investigate yarrow as an accompaniment to your corn silk.

(These conditions can be serious. Be sure to work with a qualified professional who is aware of your medical history and inform them of any home remedies you are taking. Be especially sure to promptly inform your doctor or nurse if you develop blood in your urine or lower back pain. Avoid corn silk if you’re already on a prescription diuretic.)

Corn silk and kidney stones:

Along with marshmallow root, corn silk may be helpful in easing the passage of a kidney stone. Some people are able to take corn silk for longer periods of time, as a tonic herb. This may help reduce incidents of flare ups while you work on underlying diet and stone triggering issues.

Corn silk and gout:

Many people report relief from gout after drinking corn silk tea. It could be that the diuretic action helps flush out excess toxins & waste. (Based on that premise, dandelion tea or tincture may help as well.) More studies need to be done on this connection, but it’s well worth a try. (Avoid this home remedy if you are on prescription diuretics.)

Corn silk and hyperglycemia:

Type 1 diabetes runs in my family, so this use is of particular interest to me. Corn silk has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. For more information on this, check out the following studies:

• Comparison of anti-diabetic effects of polysaccharides from corn silk on normal and hyperglycemia rats
• The effects of corn silk on glycaemic metabolism

A few other interesting studies on corn silk for my fellow science nerds:

• Safety of Corn Silk in Humans
• Corn Silk as a treatment for inflammatory diseases that cause oxidative stress

One of my greatest joys is in helping people discover the benefits of things growing right around them.

I hope this article, along with others I’ve written like it, helps you realize that you don’t have to spend a fortune to make safe, simple & effective home remedies for your family. Look closely at what you have available and work with it! 🙂

Originally published July, 2013, updated August, 2021.

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Corn stigmas and stigmas

Composition

In the stigmas and columns of corn, bitter glycosidic substances were found – up to 1.15%, saponins – 3.18%, up to 2.5% fatty oil, cryptosantia, ascorbic and pantothenic acids, vitamin K, inositol, sitosterol, stigmasterol. Corn seeds contain starch (61.2%), corn oil, a large amount of pentosans (7.4%), various vitamins: biotin, nicotinic and pantothenic acids, flavone derivatives, quercetin, isoquercitrin, etc.

Properties

Corn stigmas are used as a diuretic, choleretic, hemostatic agent in the treatment of cholecystitis, hepatitis, urological diseases – urolithiasis, nephritis, edema, as well as helminthic invasions. Preparations of corn stigmas increase the secretion of bile, reduce its viscosity and relative density, reduce the content of bilirubin, increase the content of prothrombin in the blood and cause an acceleration of blood clotting. They are more effective in hypothrombinemia.

Application

Corn silk is used as a diuretic, for kidney stones, bladder stones, inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and edema of various nature.

Also corn silk:

• increase the secretion of bile,

• promote the removal of small stones from the urinary tract,

• are used for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, as they reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood,

• serve as a hemostatic and diuretic for nephrolithiasis and dropsy, edema of various origins.

Corn stigmas are used for:

• chronic hepatitis,

• cholecystitis,

• cystitis,

• urethritis,

• prostate,

• liver diseases,

• in women’s diseases and as a sedative,

• as an appetite suppressant and is recommended for weight loss.

A bit of history

Mexico is the birthplace of corn. For the ancient Mexicans, maize was a deity. Its shoots at the beginning of the rainy season represented the joyful return of the earth’s vitality, and this was celebrated with games and songs. Maize was also associated with the spring dawn and with the magical quetzal bird, singing early in the morning and adorned with magical plumage of sparkling green, reminiscent of fresh spring vegetation.

Like wheat in the West or rice in the Far East, maize partly freed people from the frantic search for daily food – maize culture provided man with surplus and leisure from which civilization can be born.

Before plowing the land or sowing grain, the Maya abstained from food, observed chastity, and made sacrifices to the god of the earth and the god of rain. Each stage of the development of a plant – from its sowing to harvesting – served as an object of solemn celebrations.

Maize cultivated today – with lush golden hairs – has almost nothing in common with a modest wild-growing cereal plant growing in the steppe, which could give birth to no more than ten very small grains. Thanks to patient selection and then hybridization, which leads to a significant mutation, since in the process of its primitive same-sex plant gave two sexes – male cuttings and female cuttings, man was able to breed an infinite number of species that differ significantly from each other and are able to adapt to the most various climatic conditions.

Maize of Mexican origin, imported into South America, gave rise to large agricultural civilizations here, which were then inherited by the Inca Empire.

Literature:

Maznev N.I. Encyclopedia of medicinal plants. 3rd ed., rev. and additional – M.: Martin, 2004. – p. 242-245.

Corn silk: benefits and uses

Published:

July 28, 2022, 04:56 PM

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Corn silk: benefits and application features: Pexels / FRANK MERIÑO

Corn silk is recognized as a medicinal product, they are actively used to treat various diseases. They contain fiber, nutrients that determine the benefits of the remedy. What can be cured with the help of corn stigmas and how to take them correctly, said Drs. Dan Brennan, Richard Joron and Healthline.

Composition and benefits of corn silk

What is corn silk? The long, shiny fibers at the top of the heads are called corn stigmas. In nature, these thin fibers contribute to the pollination and development of corn. People use them in herbal medicine.

When to harvest corn silk? Corn fibers are recommended to be harvested during the period when the cob reaches milky maturity. As a rule, this time falls on August, but some varieties ripen in September. The number of days from appearance of fibers to harvest is approximately 18–23 days. However, basic maturity can be reached in 15 days or less if day and night temperatures are exceptionally warm, writes Richard Joron.

Corn silk can be used fresh, but is most commonly dried before use and then consumed as a tea or extract. There are also pharmaceutical products based on this component, including tablets.

Why drink corn silk? Corn silk contains proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber. It contains chemicals that can act as diuretics (diuretics), which can change blood sugar levels and help reduce inflammation. The product is used to treat chest pain (angina pectoris), high blood pressure, prevent a group of eye conditions that can lead to vision loss (glaucoma), and many other conditions.

Healthline describes the potential benefits of taking corn silk. Agent:

1. Provides antioxidants. Antioxidants are plant compounds that protect cells from free radical damage and oxidative stress. It is this reaction that provokes dangerous chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Eating corn stigmas helps prevent them.
2. Reduces inflammation. Although inflammation is considered to be the body’s natural response to an irritant, excessive inflammation can be a symptom of diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Corn fiber extract may reduce inflammation by inhibiting the activity of compounds that cause this reaction.
3. Balances blood glucose levels. Corn fiber lowers blood sugar levels and helps manage the symptoms of diabetes.
4. Lowers blood pressure. Corn silk is effective in lowering high blood pressure. The product helps to remove excess fluid from the body, so the pressure decreases. Thus, it may be a natural alternative to the diuretics used in the treatment of hypertension.
5. Corn silk extract lowers bad cholesterol levels.

When to harvest corn silk: Unsplash / Daniel Klein

Several studies show that corn silk can reduce inflammation, blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. However, there is no scientific evidence to support their effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions, reports WebMD.

Corn stigma usage considerations

Human studies on corn fibers are limited, so no official dosage recommendations have been established. Various factors can affect the body’s response to this supplement, including age, health status, and medical history.

Most available research indicates that corn silk is non-toxic and daily doses up to 10 g/kg body weight are likely safe for most people. However, most corn fiber supplement labels recommend significantly lower doses of 400-450 mg 2-3 times a day, Healthline writes.

Dan Brennan, MD, recommends drinking this corn silk as a tea. He reports that such a drink is a common treatment for bladder infections in traditional Chinese medicine. Although it is a good diuretic, it can provoke:

• rashes;
• redness of the skin;
• itching.

As with other teas, do not add too much sugar to corn silk tea to keep the calorie and sugar content low. Drinking too sweet corn silk tea can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases.

Corn silk decoction should be started at a low dose to ensure a favorable response and then gradually increased if necessary.

Who should not take corn silk? According to WebMD, eating corn silk can be dangerous in the following cases:

1. Diabetes. The product lowers blood sugar levels, which can harm diabetics who need to keep it under control.
2. Hypotension. Corn reduces blood pressure, so it can be dangerous with low blood pressure.
3. Low level of potassium in the blood. Because fiber has diuretic properties, it lowers potassium levels.
4. Allergic to corn. The product can cause an allergic reaction, which is manifested by skin rashes and itching.
5. Surgery. Corn fiber should be discontinued at least 2 weeks prior to surgery as the product affects blood glucose levels.

Corn silk may cause allergies: iStockPhoto

Corn silk is not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Also be careful if you are taking medications to control blood sugar, blood pressure, corticosteroids, diuretics, blood thinners. Remember that a natural product can cause unwanted side effects, so be sure to consult your doctor before using it. During the consultation, name all the drugs that you take on an ongoing basis.

Corn silk is a natural corn fiber used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. Research on this product is limited, but some of it suggests it may reduce inflammation, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Although corn silk is mostly safe for most people, it is important to consult your doctor before taking it.

Attention! The material is for informational purposes only. You should not resort to the methods of treatment described in it without first consulting a doctor.

Sources:

1. Corn Silk – Uses, Side Effects, and More // WebMD. – Access Mode: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-140/corn-silk
2. Dan Brennan. Corn Silk Tea: Are There Health Benefits? // webmd. – 2020. – 21 December. — Mode of access: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-corn-silk-tea
3. What Is Corn Silk, and Does It Have Benefits? // Healthline. – 2016.