Corn Silk Benefits

Corn is one of the most widely grown cereal crops in the world and has become the third most important cereal crops other than wheat and rice. Corn and its other plant parts are used in various food, agricultural and health applications. Corn cereal contains nutritious components essential for health.

In herbal medicine the part of the corn that is used are the long stigmas, called silks, which grow from the top end of the corn's 'ear'. Once they are dried the corn silks look very different to their fresh form, becoming brown, curled, crinkly, and incredibly light-weight. The main historical and current use of the Corn-silk as a medicine is for the special action of being what is known as a ‘soothing diuretic’.

Let’s have a look at different benefits of corn silk.

Treats Urinary Tract Infections

Corn silk works as an anti-inflammatory agent for urinary tract infections. It basically coats the urinary tract lining and thwarts further irritation. Corn silk tea consumption helps soothe the inflamed bladder and the urinary tract. It makes you urinate, and thus reduces the risk of bacteria build-up in the urinary tract.

Keeps Kidney Stones at Bay

Kidney stones are made of small crystallized deposits that can cause pain and annoyance. Corn silk usage can increase urine flow and decrease the chances of sediment formation in kidneys, which otherwise can eventually lead to kidney stone formation. However, remember that its use will not treat kidney stones that are already present.

Lowers Blood Pressure

A lot of people suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure issues nowadays. They can consume corn silk tea to reduce high blood pressure. This will ensure they don’t have to cope with the adverse effects of OTC blood pressure medications.

Works as a Diuretic Agent

For ages, corn silk tea has been used as a natural potent diuretic agent. It helps flush out excess water and waste from the body, thereby reducing complications related to water retention. According to studies, usage of diuretics helps get rid of several health hazards including congestive heart failure and kidney diseases in the long run.

Helps Heal Inflammatory Ailments and Conditions

Corn silk is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Traditional medicine followers are of the view that it can be used to reduce the pain caused by inflammatory ailments like gout and arthritis. The diuretic action of cork silk may prevent excess uric acid formation in the body joints, which leads to gout pain. However, it should not be taken as a cure for arthritis related conditions.

Helps Fight Cholesterol

Cholesterol in the bloodstream leads to the onset of several critical ailments in the long run (including cardiac complications). Keeping cholesterol levels in the blood low is the key to staying healthy and avoiding heart hazards, say the doctors. A study carried out by Jilin University scientists in China showed that corn silk consumption brings down cholesterol in rodents.

Source of Vitamin C

Corn silk contains vitamin C, which is ideal for boosting immunity. It also plays a pivotal role in regulating a myriad functions in the human body.

Helps Fight Obesity

Obesity is a major health menace affecting a large part of the human population nowadays. While obesity is caused by more than one factor including genetics, some people put on excess weight owing to excess water retention and toxin accumulation in the body. Since corn silk helps eliminate excess water and waste from the body, such people will find it helpful to evade weight gain. They can have this tea twice or thrice a day for maximum benefits. However, it would be wrong to assume that it is a cure for obesity.