Corn silk: benefits and applications

Another medicine given by Mother Nature. It is unknown who was the first and when exactly to use corn silk for medicinal and prophylactic purposes, but now that their properties have been fully studied and their effectiveness has been proven, almost everyone can experience the healing effects of corn silk. 

Medicinal properties of corn silk

Corn silk contains a lot of vitamins, minerals, tannins and hormones. Namely, this is a treasure trove B vitamins, P, K, E, A, pantothenic and ascorbic acid, essential oils, saponins, tannins, glycosides and other equally valuable components. Among microelements, a special place is given to selenium, which is simply necessary for the body in order for lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism to proceed well and efficiently. It is needed for proper operation. immune system, to neutralize harmful compounds that often enter the body. The unique properties of selenium include its ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Regular consumption of corn silk leads to a decrease in blood sugar levels, improved pancreas and liver function, metabolism is normalized. Stigmas are also popular for their choleretic effect, the ability reduce appetite, have a calming effect on the nervous system and have a diuretic effect. With their help, they expel kidney stones and provide therapeutic and preventive measures for diabetes mellitus. A decoction of corn silk removes bad cholesterol from the body, protecting the walls of blood vessels from plaques and blockages, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

Corn silks have proven themselves to be positive in the hematopoietic system and as a hemostatic agent; they cleanse the blood well and increase coagulation. Therefore, taking a decoction based on them is very useful for those ladies who suffer from heavy periods. Separately, it is worth touching on the topic of how corn silk helps in the process of losing weight, but more on that a little later.

Application of corn silk

Corn silk is often used to prepare decoctions and tinctures (both alcoholic and aqueous), and for brewing tea. With their help, kidney and liver diseases, diabetes, high cholesterol, tuberculosis and atherosclerosis are treated. In medicine, corn silk is used to treat sleep and the nervous system, reducing increased irritability and excitability. And, of course, corn silk has found active use in dietetics. With their help, they control appetite, improve metabolism and other systems in the body that can be reflected in weight problems.

Corn silk contraindications

There are not many contraindications for corn silk. Among them:

• poor appetite;
• high blood clotting;
• thrombosis and thrombophebitis;
• varicose veins;
• individual intolerance to components.

Corn silk for weight loss

If you plan to use corn silk as an aid to weight loss, then you will definitely need recipes that promote the fat burning process.

• Option decoction for weight loss No. 1. Pour a small spoonful of stigmas with a glass of boiling water and put on fire for a minute. Remove from heat, cover and leave for an hour, then strain and squeeze out the herb. Divide the finished broth into three parts and drink during the day half an hour before meals.
• Decoction for weight loss, option No. 2. Pour boiling water over four large spoons of stigmas, cover with a lid and cover with a terry towel, leaving to steep for two to three hours. Squeeze the finished composition and take it three times a day according to the principle of option No. 1.
• Tea for weight loss. Take stigmas, currant leaves and green tea in a 2:1:1 ratio respectively. Add two large spoons of the dry mixture to boiling water and leave (preferably in a thermos) for about three hours. This tea is consumed half an hour before meals in the amount of one glass.
• You can prepare an alcohol tincture, which is prepared with 70% alcohol. If you can’t get alcohol, you can take vodka as a last resort. Pour 200 g of stigmas with a glass of alcohol (or vodka), close the jar tightly to prevent the alcohol from evaporating and place in a dark place for twenty days, shaking occasionally. Take 35-40 drops half an hour before meals, three times a day.

Whatever method of use you choose, you need to remember that the intake lasts no longer than a month, but not less than 14 days. After this, a break is taken for the same period, and then, if desired, the course is duplicated.

How to brew corn silk

Depending on what the corn silk is used for, it needs to be brewed and consumed. Let's look at some options.

• For a choleretic effect, you need to prepare a simple infusion, which is very easy to make. Pour a spoonful of dry product into a glass of boiling water. Cover the top and leave it alone for an hour, then strain the drink and take a large spoon three times a day. To improve the health of the digestive organs and liver, the duration of the course is 14 days.
• For qualitative improvement of the biliary tract, hepatitis and cholecystitis, it is better to use a decoction made from stigmas, since the decoction is positioned as a strong medicine. It is better to cook it in a water bath. Place a couple of spoons of the dry product in an enamel bowl and fill with boiled warm water. After this, cover the container with the composition with a lid and place it in a pan of boiling water. You need to keep it over the steam for about twenty minutes, and then remove it and let it cool. Strain the mixture into a glass and pour in boiled water until the glass is full. The prepared decoction should be taken in a large spoon three times a day after meals. It is very important to drink it warm, after shaking it. Drink for 14 days, after which organize a “vacation” in treatment, lasting from one to three months.
• You can use the stigmas to create a very healthy herbal tea and drink it in the same way as the drink mentioned. To do this, currant leaves, peppermint, yarrow, creeping thyme, and, of course, corn silk are combined in equal proportions. Mix it all. Pour boiling water over a small spoon of the mixture, leave for about twenty minutes and you can drink it several times a day.
• Good results in the treatment of diabetes are shown by corn silk extract, which can be purchased at a pharmacy and consumed according to the instructions, usually 20 drops, three times a day for a month. After this, you need a 14-day break and continue treatment for a total course of at least six months. You can prepare this decoction: take a couple of large spoons of stigmas for half a liter of boiling water and put everything on low heat for about five minutes. After which the broth is infused for half an hour, decanted and taken three times a tablespoon after meals during the day. 
• For the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis, you can use any of the above formulations, only the course lasts three weeks with two-week breaks for four to six months. During treatment, you can note a decrease in headaches, absence of tinnitus and a significant decrease in blood cholesterol levels, but you cannot stop treatment, as the result needs to be consolidated.
• For kidney problems, it is permissible to use both decoctions and infusions. Good results are shown by compositions prepared from the collection of herbs, which include: centaury, corn silk, immortelle and agrimony. All these herbs are taken in equal parts. A large spoon of this mixture is steamed with a couple of glasses of water and placed in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. After this, the composition is decanted and brought to the original volume with boiled water. Drink the finished product a quarter glass three times a day after meals.
• Interestingly, corn silk is also used to treat weakened hair.  Tincture is best suited for these purposes. Mix dry mint and stigma in equal quantities. Pour half a glass of the dry product mixture into a liter of boiling water and leave until it cools. Express. You just need to rinse your hair with the resulting composition after washing.

These are just a few of the recipes that can be made using corn silk. Finally, I would like to remind you of the importance of consulting with a specialist before taking the drug orally, this will protect you from side effects.