Corn silk―the long, shiny, yellowish-green fibers inside the corn ear. They consist of Sitosterol and Stigmasterol, which help prevent high cholesterol, heart diseases, and even certain cancers. They also contain plant acids, like malic and tartaric acids, which help improve skin and oral conditions, and regulate the glucose level in the body. Many more health benefits of corn silk revealed in the content that follows.
Did You Know?
In the United States of America, corn is widely used to produce Ethanol. 8 bushels of corn can produce a whopping 21.6 gallons of this fuel, or is even sufficient to feed a person for a whole year.
America is one of the leading producers of corn in the world, and accounts for a production of more than 350,000 metric tons per year. Approximately 40% of this produce goes into the production of Ethanol, while the rest is used for consumption.
Corn on the cob is liked and savored by millions around the world. Rarely do people think about the fibers in the corn ear, which usually end up in the trash. These fibers, known as corn silk, have many medicinal properties, and are usually consumed in the form of a tea. As such, let’s check out the various uses of corn silk, so as to understand this fiber better.
Composition of Corn Silk
Saponins |
Flavonoids |
Vitamin C and K |
Sitosterol and Stigmasterol |
Malic and Tartaric Acid |
Volatile Oil |
Bitter Glucosidic Substances |
Cryptoxanthin |
Resin |
8 Important Benefits of Corn Silk
❶ Corn silk is immensely beneficial in preventing kidney stones, urinary tract infections, bladder infections, and inflammation of the prostate. It also helps relieve painful urination, and consistent, sufficient dosage could aid in elimination of the pain. It is used to treat cystitis, which leads to inflammation of the bladder caused by bacterial infection.
❷ Corn silk, being a diuretic, is a very good remedy for bed wetting, especially as far as kids are concerned. Some corn silk tea and a visit to the washroom just before going to bed proves to be very effective in combating this problem.
❸ It also proves effective in stabilizing blood sugar levels. It is a good remedy for patients having high diabetes, as it helps reduce blood sugar by increasing the level of insulin in the body.
❹ Edema is a result of heart failure or heart weakening, due to which, the heart fails to pump sufficient blood into the body. This creates a backup of blood in the veins. The kidneys are unable to function efficiently due to a weak heart, and this leads to fluid deposits in the knees, ankles, thighs or even the lungs (pulmonary edema). Corn silk aids recovery from conditions of edema, either pulmonary or peripheral.
❺ As per studies, it also contributes in inhibiting skin pigmentation. This could serve as a remedy for vitiligo. Vitiligo is a condition wherein depigmentation occurs on different parts of the skin, creating light and dark patches. People suffering from this condition are usually advised to depigment their skin to match the lighter tone.
❻ It maintains the sodium level in the body, and helps remove excess levels of potassium which could prove very harmful to the body. Lack of sodium could cause low concentration, problems with reading and comprehension, extreme mental and physical fatigue, and also hyponatremia in extreme cases. Sodium helps control blood pressure, controls the volume of fluids in the body, and helps maintain the body’s acid-base level.
❼ Corn silk is a natural source of vitamin C, which protects the heart, ensures proper blood circulation, and prevents the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.
❽ It is also observed that corn silk stimulates bile secretion by the liver, stored in the gall bladder, which is necessary for digestion.
Precautions
✘ Too much consumption of corn silk could result in excessive loss of potassium in the body, leading to skin rash, muscle cramps, and palpitations.
✘ Excessive consumption could result in low blood pressure, leading to symptoms like dizziness and fainting.
✘ Needs to be strictly avoided if you are taking a prescription diuretic.
✘ Goes without saying that it should be avoided if you have an allergy to corn.
Corn Silk Tea
✔ Boil the water.
✔ Add fresh or dry fibers (if fresh, add chopped) of corn silk
✔ Allow to steep for five minutes
✔ A spoon of honey could be added to enhance the taste
Corn silk is a very good substitute for chemical diuretics. The fact that it soothes the passage of urine and prevents the formation of bladder and kidney stones is not known to many. The pain associated with stones and urine infections is very intense and unbearable. In such cases, corn silk could be ideal as a home remedy to get relief from the pain.
Disclaimer: This HolisticZine article is for informative purposes only. Please consult your doctor before consuming any herbal medicine.