How Corn Silk Is Procured For Usage
Once you take off the greenish cover surrounding the corn cob, you get another layer of stringy stuff. What Are Its Benefits? It is a diuretic agent that may help treat UTIs, prevent kidney stones, and fight cholesterol, high blood pressure, blood sugar fluctuations, and obesity. Who Can Consume It? It can be used by anyone not allergic to it. How Often? It can be consumed daily in moderation. Caution It may cause potassium deficiency and should be avoided while taking certain medications like blood thinners.
This is known as corn silk. You can use it in both fresh and dried forms. You need to pull out the golden-green long thread-like strands off the corn and store them in a pot. If you want to store these corn silk strands fresh, put them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They may last for a couple of weeks this way. Based on the weather conditions, you may need to completely dry the silk for a few days, after which it can be stored for a long time and consumed as corn silk juice or corn silk tea. Now, let’s check out the best way to remove corn silk so it can be stored properly.
How To Remove Corn Silk
How To Make Corn Silk Tea
There is no way you can eat corn silk directly – it is not very palatable. You should take organic and fresh corn and gather the fresh corn silk to get the maximum benefits. If you do not have access to fresh or organic corn, resort to the corn silk powders and capsules available on the market. Below listed are two corn silk recipes.
Method 1
This is the usual method. You will need ingredients like:
Dry or fresh corn silk Water Lemon juice
Method 2
This method is ideal for those who want to obtain the natural benefits of corn silk. The ingredients are:
Dried corn silk, chopped Water Honey
Besides corn silk tea, it can also be used in cooking. Read on to learn how.
How To Use Corn Silk In Cooking
Here are a few more ways to use corn silk in cooking:
You may dry and grind corn silk to use as a seasoning. You can infuse corn silk in oil for salad dressings. Mix it with herbs and spices to create a natural flavor enhancer for broths. Blend corn silk into smoothies for a nutritional boost.
Corn silk has been used by various races since the ancient ages, and it is said to possess a number of healing properties. It has been used in Chinese medicine and by Native American tribes, in particular, over the centuries for medicinal and healing needs. While a few such benefits have been found to be effective by scientific studies, the same cannot be said about all the claimed benefits. However, its nutrients and antioxidant properties indicate that there are certain great benefits one can obtain by using it. Corn silk contains key nutrients and is rich in potassium, calcium, vitamins B2, C, and K, and phytochemical compounds like flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids among others (1).
Corn Silk Benefits
Below listed are the prominent health benefits offered by corn silk:
1. May Treat Urinary Tract Infections
Corn silk has anti-inflammatory properties that may treat urinary tract infections. It has the potential to coat the urinary tract lining and thwart further irritation. Corn silk tea consumption may help soothe the inflamed bladder, urinary tubules, and the urinary tract (2). It can make you urinate and thus reduce the risk of bacteria buildup in the urinary tract. It may also be used to soothe the irritated prostate gland.
2. May Work As A Diuretic Agent
For ages, corn silk tea has been used as a natural potent diuretic agent. The diuretic property of corn silk helps flush out excess water and waste from the body, thereby reducing complications related to water retention (3). According to studies, the usage of diuretics helps get rid of several health hazards including congestive heart failurei A long-term condition where the heart doesn’t pump blood as efficiently as it should, causing fluid build up in the legs and lungs. and kidney diseases in the long run. So,
3. May Keeps Kidney Stones At Bay
Corn silk tea benefits go beyond just maintaining urinary health! It may also help prevent kidney stones. Kidney stones are made of small crystallized deposits that can cause pain and annoyance. Genetic predisposition and dehydration are well-known factors for kidney stone formation. Corn silk has been used since the ancient days to prevent the occurrence of kidney stones. Cornsilk exhibits in vitro anti-urolithiasis activity that may help prevent the formation of kidney stones (2). Corn silk usage may increase urine flow and adequate excretion of water. This helps decrease the chances of sediment formation in the kidneys, which otherwise can eventually lead to this medical condition. However, note that its use will not treat kidney stones that are already present.
4. May Facilitate Blood Clotting
It contains vitamin K that helps in the blood clotting process. Vitamin K may help produce thrombin (an enzyme) that plays a key role in the formation of blood clots (4). Consuming corn silk ensures you do not experience excessive blood loss in the event of an injury.
5. May Lower Blood Pressure
A lot of people suffer from hypertensioni High blood pressure due to elevated blood flow force on the artery walls; blood pressure measures over 140/90. or high blood pressure issues nowadays. They can consume corn silk tea to reduce high blood pressure (2). This will ensure they don’t have to cope with the adverse effects of OTC blood pressure medications.
6. May Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
Taking corn silk tea may help those with blood sugar issues, as per the findings of studies conducted in recent times. A study that was published in 2012 in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules showed the impact corn silk aqueous extract had on diabetes. The study was carried out on laboratory rats afflicted with diabetes mellitus and the study authors noted that corn silk polysaccharides exhibit an anti-diabetic effect, which may aid in blood sugar control (5). High blood glucose levels can lead to chronic conditions like stroke, kidney diseases, and diabetes mellitus. Another human study that was published in 2009 in the Nutrition and Metabolism Journal showed that corn silk tea aids in insulin generation in the human body (1). Further, anecdotal evidence suggests that corn silk tincture may slow your body’s absorption of starchy foods, which may prevent spikes in blood sugar levels. Corn silk can improve the antioxidant defense system that helps prevent diabetes mellitus (6). This graph shows different concentrations of ethanol corn silk extract (CS) when suspended in water and partitioned with different substances. The study investigated the antioxidant activity of corn silk that helps fight radical damage and oxidative stress (7).
Antidiabetic Potential Due To Antioxidant Activity In Corn Silk
7. May Help 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 inflammation and pain caused by inflammatory diseases like gouti A form of arthritis caused due to excess uric acid buildup resulting in persistent inflammation of joints, especially the hands and feet. and arthritis. The diuretic effect of cork silk may prevent excess uric acid formation in the body joints, which leads to gout pain (8). However, it should not be taken as a cure for arthritis related conditions.
8. May Help Reduce 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 congestive heart failure and heart disease, say the health care professionals. A study showed that corn silk consumption brings down cholesterol in animal models (1).
9. Is A Source Of Vitamin C
Corn silk contains beneficial compounds like vitamin C (natural antioxidant), which is ideal for boosting immunity (2). The amount of vitamins you take also plays a pivotal role in regulating a myriad of functions in the human body.
10. May Help 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. Jesse Feder, Clinical Dietitian at the Memorial Regional Hospital, says, “Corn silk can potentially reduce belly fat by inhibiting fat accumulation and increasing fat metabolism.” Since corn silk helps in detoxification by eliminating 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 to help in digestion and for maximum benefits. However, it would be wrong to assume that it is a cure for obesity.
Topical Usage
You can also use corn silk topically. The tea made with it can be applied topically to deal with skin problems like boils and rashes. It can also help alleviate itching and pain caused by skin wounds. This herbal medicine also shows anti-aging benefits, as it has antioxidants (9).
Additional Health Benefits
While these are not yet accepted scientifically, consuming corn silk tea can offer you many more health benefits. A study showed that corn silk has a phenolic compound named maysin that oxidative stressi A condition caused by an imbalance between the creation and buildup of oxygen radicals in cells and the ability to detoxify them. and prevents the onset of certain types of cancer. of cancer (6). Besides, a Korean study published in 2014 stated that the bioactive compound maysin has antioxidant properties that boost the immune system (10). Apart from the benefits discussed above, corn silk may also help you stay healthy in other ways. Here are the additional health benefits of corn silk: Following are the additional health benefits of corn silk:
1. May Help Relieve Skin Pigmentation Issues
A number of studies have shown that the consumption of corn silk can help in coping with skin pigmentation issues. Topical application of corn silk may help decrease melanin production, which may also help manage vitiligo (11). However, more studies are required to substantiate corn silk’s role in vitiligo management.
2. May Balance Mineral Levels In The Body
Taking this tea helps balance the levels of vital minerals in the human body, which is essential for healthy living. It helps retain the ideal level of sodium in your body. Besides, animal studies suggest that corn silk may help in the excretion of potassium from the body, which may help keep your potassium level in check (12). Sodium plays a pivotal role in the development of mental and cognitive abilities and the regulation of blood pressure.
3. Facilitates Recovery From Edema
Edema occurs when the heart either fails to function or becomes weak. Because of this, the heart will not be able to pump enough blood to various body parts. This leads to weakened kidneys and fluid storage in the knees and lungs. According to studies, using corn silk may aid recovery from pulmonary or peripheral edemai Swelling observed in the body’s extremities, i.e., legs and arms, due to lymphatic, circulatory, or kidney problems. . Additionally, animal studies indicate that corn silk may exhibit anti-fatigue activity, which may help build stamina and endurance (2). Also, it may have a lowering effect on intraocular pressure and blood pressure levels in people with hypertension (13). Further, the polysaccharides in corn silk may exhibit anti-depressant activity, which may help improve overall mood (14). Kaylee Richardson, a YouTuber, discusses the medicinal properties of corn silk. She demonstrates how to make a tincture using fresh corn silk, explaining the ratio and process. She says, “This could be used for so many things and I personally have experience using it. This is one of the reasons why I always have a tincture of corn silk ready for me to use (i).” After showing the process, she says, “I’m gonna press it out store it in an amber-colored bottle and be able to use it to help support my own personal bladder health as well as anybody in my family that might be struggling with kidney stones or cystitis.” These are some of the beneficial effects of corn silk on your health. However, if you want to use it safely, you need to keep some essential tips in mind. Scroll down to the next section to know more.
Safety Issues You Need To Keep In Mind
In general, consuming corn silk tea is safe, and adults and children can take it without major concerns. However, you need to keep a few aspects in mind before starting its use.
Consuming corn silk can result in a reduction of potassium levels in the blood. This may lead to skin problems and corn allergy.
In most cases, women who have conceived or are breastfeeding can take corn silk tea in moderate amounts. However, pregnant women should avoid the tea and it is not advisable to drink it in larger quantity, as it may lead to uterine contraction (15). So, it makes sense to seek medical advice before starting the use of corn silk tea if you are pregnant.
While this is not very common, a section of people are allergic to corn or its supplements like corn silk powder or tincture. It is possible that they will develop an allergic reaction after drinking corn silk tea too. The reactions are, however, not very serious, and are only limited to the skin. While evidence for corn silk and drug interaction isn’t available, people taking blood pressure medication should avoid it as it might interact with it. This is because the use of corn silk reduces blood sugar levels. The same happens when you use specific diabetes medication. If you use both at the same time, your blood sugar levels may fall abysmally, which is not desirable. The same can be said about those coping with high blood pressure. People who have high blood sugar or are dealing with elevated blood pressure levels should take this tea after consulting a doctor. Anecdotal evidence suggests that if you are using blood thinners, taking this tea might reduce their efficacy. However, limited data is available in this regard.
Lotions with corn silk may cause itchiness and redness if you are allergic to corn pollen, corn starch, or silk.
Therefore, it is best to consult a healthcare provider before using corn silk, especially if you have existing health issues or are taking medication. Is corn silk good for the liver? “Yes, corn silk can potentially reduce adipose tissue buildup in the liver,” says Jesse Feder. However, if you are taking corn silk supplements, ensure to keep the doses low or stick to the doses as prescribed by a doctor. How long does it take for corn silk to work? According to Jesse, “It can take a few hours to see the minor benefits of corn silk and only a few days to start seeing long-term benefits.” How often should you drink corn silk tea? There are no documented dosage levels of corn silk tea. However, consuming 1 cup, 2-3 times a day is considered safe. However, drinking this tea just before you go to sleep is not recommended. Is corn silk good for hair? Corn silk may help improve hair texture. However, limited research is available in this regard. Is there caffeine in corn silk tea? No, there is no caffeine in corn silk tea. It is a popular caffeine-free hot beverage to drink in winter.
Illustration: Amazing Benefits Of Corn Silk
Discover the amazing health benefits of corn silk! Watch this video to learn how this natural remedy can help improve your overall health and well-being.
