What is corn silk?

Corn silk is the long, thread-like plant parts that grow under the husk of a fresh ear of corn. These thin, shiny fibers help corn grow and pollinate, and they are also used in traditional herbal medicine. There are many different plant compounds in corn silk that may be responsible for different health effects. It is used to treat a wide range of illnesses in traditional Chinese and Native American medicine, such as prostate problems, malaria, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and heart disease. Newer research suggests that it may also help lower blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation. Corn silk can be used fresh, but it is usually dried before it is used to make tea or an extract. You can also take it in pill form.

How do I use corn silk?

Corn silk refers to the elongated, reflective filaments that accumulate atop an ear of corn. Corn silk is a medicinal substance. Bedwetting, inflammation of the prostate, bladder infections, and inflammation of the urinary system are all treated with corn silk.

Corn silk benefits:

Corn silk is often used in herbal medicine, but not much is known about it. But early research shows that it may be good for your health, especially if you have heart disease or diabetes, which are both inflammatory diseases.

◉ Provides antioxidants: Antioxidants are plant compounds that prevent oxidative stress and free radical injury to body cells. Oxidative stress is a significant contributor to the development of numerous chronic ailments, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation. Corn silk contains an abundance of flavonoid antioxidants by nature. Numerous animal and test-tube studies provide evidence that the flavonoids in question mitigate oxidative stress and safeguard against free radical damage.

◉ Has anti-inflammatory properties: Inflammation is a natural way for your body to fight off infections. But too much inflammation has been linked to many diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. Studies with test tubes and animals have shown that corn silk extract may reduce inflammation by stopping two of the most important compounds that cause it. This stringy plant fiber also has magnesium in it, which helps control inflammation in your body. So, research on people is needed.

◉ May manage blood sugar: Some research shows that corn silk may help control diabetes and lower blood sugar. One study on animals found that diabetic mice given flavonoids from corn silk had much lower blood sugar than a control group. A recent test-tube study also showed that the antioxidants in this corn product may help prevent diabetic kidney disease.

◉ May lower blood pressure: high blood pressure could be helped by taking corn silk. First, it helps your body get rid of fluid that it doesn't need. So, it could be a natural way to lower blood pressure instead of taking diuretics, which are drugs that make you pee a lot. Also, a recent study on rats found that corn silk extract significantly lowered blood pressure by stopping angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) from doing its job. In a study that lasted 8 weeks, this supplement was given to 40 people with high blood pressure in increasing amounts until they reached a dose of 118 mg per pound of body weight (260 mg per kg). Compared to a control group, their blood pressure dropped a lot, and those who were given the highest dose had the biggest drop.

Where can I buy corn silk?

Buy Corn silk from the health food store in the , 

Corn silk information (at a glance):