What are the benefits of corn silk, and does it improve your health?
Do you know that the hair around the corn is packed full of health benefits that will improve your health?
Find out more in this article, and you will be astonished with what you will learn.
Magnificent Corn silk is a priceless, untapped life giving treasure that is thrown into the garbage every year after harvesting corn.
Yet every year, many people spend fortunes battling chronic health challenges when, right under their nose, the solution is staring them in the face.
Like you know, there are more victims than victors.
What is Corn silk?
Corn silk which is the shiny, thread-like, weak fibers that grow as part of ears of corn (maize). Yoruba called Irukere agbado while the Igbo call it Aji oka.
Corn silk, botanically called Stigma maydis. Many people regarded it as waste material, but used for centuries in many parts of the world to treat various health challenges.
I like to call it Magnificent Corn Silk because it has the following health benefits.
Is Corn silk good for you?
Yes, there are many benefits of corn silk that you gain when you take it regularly.
Corn Silk is rich in phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids. It consists of proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium salts, volatiles oils and steroids such as sitosterol and stigmasterol, alkaloids, and saponins.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CORN SILK
1 Reduces blood pressure
Reduces blood pressure by increasing excreting of water from the body. This is the great secret of being able to reduce high blood pressure, inflammation and edema.
Corn silk tea plus antihypertensive drugs could be more effective at lowering blood pressure than conventional antihypertensive drugs alone, this may be a new alternative natural-based treatment for hypertension.
Corn silk possesses potent diuretic properties that promote increased urine production. This effect can help flush out toxins, excess fluids, and aid in the treatment of conditions such as edema, urinary tract infections, and kidney stones.
2. Anti-depressant
3. Anti – Cancer
A study revealed that corn silk extract inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells.
4. Reduces blood sugar.
One benefit of corn silk is the ability to reduce the level of sugar in the blood. This is particularly useful for those who are diabetics.
It does this by increasing the level of insulin in the blood and helping the damaged part of the pancreas to recover.
The results of a study provided scientific insights of the benefits of corn silk and confirmed its traditional use of the management of diabetic mellitus (DM) and diabetic nephropathy (DN), and the antioxidant activities could contribute, at least in part, to its traditionally claimed therapeutic benefits.
5. Weight loss
May help with reducing weight because it hinders the body from accumulation of fat.
6. Prevent damages to the liver
Chronic inflammation is associated with liver diseases. Some compounds present in corn silk have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in studies. By reducing inflammation, corn silk may potentially help protect the liver from damage.
7. Antimicrobial Effects.
Corn silk may be beneficial for those who are suffering from urinary tract infection. Administration of aqueous extract of corn silk in a study, significantly reduce the symptoms in patient with UTI besides reduction in the values of pus cells, red blood cells, and Crystals, with no reported side effect which show its efficacy and safety.
8. Reduces high cholesterol levels
Emerging studies suggest that corn silk may assist in managing cholesterol levels by reducing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Although more research is needed, incorporating corn silk into a heart-healthy lifestyle could have positive implications for cardiovascular well-being.
9. Anti-Oxidant
Corn silk contains compounds with antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds help protect the body’s cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. This antioxidant activity of corn silk may contribute to its potential health benefits.
10. Anti-fatigue
Corn silk tea, in a study, demonstrated that it can elevate exercise tolerance and has anti-fatigue activity.
Read also Learn 10 simple and effective ways to lower your blood pressure naturally without medication.
Corn silk is packed with a lot of plant chemicals like proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, calcium, potassium magnesium, steroids such as sitosterol, stigmasterol, alkaloids and saponins.
In addition, It is rich in phenolic compounds, like flavonoids, minerals, fixed and volatile oils.
Not only that, Magnificent Corn silk also helps improves the function of the kidney, prostate and the skin.
Is Corn silk good for the Kidney or Bladder?
Corn silk tea is very good for the health of kidney and bladder urination. This prevents the accumulation of toxins in the body.
Health benefits of Corn silk on the Kidney and Prostate
- Kidney stones
- It soothes and relaxes the lining of the bladder and urinary tubules
- Bedwetting
- Bladder infections
- Cystitis. This is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bladder infection. It’s a common type of urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Reduces inflammation of the urinary system
- Prostate disorder
Is Corn silk good for the Skin?
You can use corn silk tea on your skin to take care of minor skin problems like rashes.
- Apply on the skin for boils and rashes.
- Helps ease itching and pain caused by skin wounds.
- The application of corn silk extract on faces with hyperpigmentation significantly reduced skin pigmentation without abnormal reactions.
How can you enjoy all these wonderful benefits of Magnificent Corn Silk?
The most common way of taking corn silk is as tea
Is Corn silk safe during pregnancy?
Corn silk tea is likely to be safe during pregnancy when taken in a small amount, even though is no studies to confirm its safety in pregnant women. It will be of great benefits to women who develop or have hypertension, diabetes, recurrent urinary tract infection during pregnancy.
Can corn silk be eaten?
Corn silk is used fresh or dry, and it is mainly taken as tea.
How To Make Corn Silk Tea At Home.
Making corn silk tea is easy. All you need to do is:
- Boil 1 tablespoon of corn silk (dried and chopped) in 1 cup of water.
- Once it is done, cover the pan and allow it to steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
- When it is cold enough to drink, you can add 1 teaspoon of raw honey if you desire. This sweetens the tea for those who prefer it that way.
- You can store the remaining tea in your refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
And like most herbs, they are non-toxic and safe to use.
Conclusion
From the benefits you have just read, you can safely conclude that Corn silk when taken as tea regularly is very good for your health, especially if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney stones.
In addition, you can use it as a home remedy for minor skin rashes. Several studies have reported that corn silk is safe for human consumption.
Did I miss out anything? Leave a comment or reply in the comment box.
We provide the medical information provided in this article as an information resource only. This information does not create any patient-physician relationship and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.