Corn Silk – An Overview
Corn silk contains stigmasterol and sitosterol, which are highly effective in preventing heart disease and high cholesterol (1). It also has plant acids that help in improving oral and skin conditions as well as regulating glucose levels in your body (2). The most common way to make use of corn silk is in the form of tea. You should definitely make corn silk tea a staple in your home. Here are the top 10 benefits you can get from corn silk tea.
Health Benefits Of Corn Silk Tea
Jesse Feder, a Clinical Dietitian with the Memorial Regional Hospital South, says, “Corn silk has been used as a medicinal herb around the world to treat several different types of medical conditions (chest pain, blood pressure, acid reflux, digestion, glaucoma, etc.). However, there is limited research that it truly works for these conditions.” Let’s take a look at its benefits:
1. Provides Vitamin C
With corn silk tea, you get loads of Vitamin C. This is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent the damage of free radicals and cardiovascular diseases (2). It also stimulates blood circulation, which is essential for the optimal functioning of all the vital organs of the body.
2. Reduces Blood Sugar
Corn silk tea is great for people with high blood pressure (3). It helps in reducing the levels of blood sugar by regulating insulin levels in the body (4). It is also an excellent natural treatment for congestive heart failure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.
3. Reduces Gout
Corn silk tea has many wonderful properties. These help in reducing pain that is associated with gout. Start by drinking 2-3 cups of corn silk tea a day. Once you gain relief from the pain, cut it down to 1 cup a day.
4. Treats Bedwetting
This is a problem that children and adults face. Corn silk tea is a very effective home remedy for bedwetting. Experts recommend drinking 1 cup of corn silk tea before going to bed to treat this problem.
5. Helps Cope With Kidney Problems
Corn silk tea is also a wonderful home remedy for kidney problems (5). It is highly effective in treating conditions that are related to the kidneys, including painful urination, urinary tract infection, bladder infection, inflammation of the urinary system, kidney stones, etc.
6. Boosts Digestion
This beneficial tea helps in boosting digestion and treating digestive problems (6). Research has shown that corn silk tea can stimulate the secretion of bile by the liver. This bile is stored in the gallbladder, resulting in proper digestion of food.
7. Controls Bleeding
One of the many benefits of drinking corn silk tea is that it provides your body with Vitamin K in a good amount. This vitamin is important for controlling bleeding, especially for women who are going through childbirth.
8. Increases Urine
As mentioned earlier, corn silk tea is an effective natural treatment for kidney problems. This is because it helps in increasing the amount of urine. When this occurs, you can avoid many kidney problems as toxins and other harmful substances are efficiently flushed out of your body.
9. Provides Nutrients
Corn silk tea is also a great source of beta-carotene, riboflavin, menthol, thymol, selenium, niacin, and limonene, among other essential nutrients. These are not available in all plant foods, and this makes this tea highly beneficial for your health.
10. Treats Rashes And Boils
Corn silk tea can also be used topically to treat skin problems such as rashes, boils and helps in relieving itching and pain caused by insect bites, scrapes, and minor cuts. It has antibacterial and antiseptic properties that help in preventing infections.
How To Make Corn Silk Tea
Making corn silk tea is not difficult. All you need to do is: The dose depends on the condition that you suffer from as well as your body weight. The general recommendation for adults is 1 cup, two to three times a day. Experts recommend not drinking corn silk tea right before you go to sleep. The dose for children should be reduced accordingly. Before you use this tea as a treatment for any condition, make sure that you consult your health care provider to make sure that it does not interfere with any medication.
How To Make Corn Silk Alcohol Tincture
To make a tincture out of corn silk, all you need to do is: You can store this corn silk alcohol for over a year as it has a long shelf life.
How To Make Glycerite Or Glycerin Tincture
Another way to preserve your corn silk is to use vegetable glycerin, instead of alcohol, to make a tincture. A glycerite is a better option for children, pets and those who do not consume alcohol. All you need to do is: Like the alcohol tincture, this glycerite has a long shelf life and can be stored for about a year.
Corn Silk For Pets
As mentioned earlier, corn silk can be used to treat your pets as well. It is considered to be an effective natural treatment for feline lower urinary tract disease. Using fresh corn silk tea is the best option if it is the urinary tract that needs treatment. However, you can also use a glycerite.
Dosage For Pets
Corn Silk Tea: this suggested dose of this tea is about ¼ cup per 20lbs of body weight 2 times a day. Glycerite: The suggested dose of this tea is ¼ teaspoon per 20lbs of body weight two times a day. This treatment is not recommended for pregnant animals. You should consult your vet for further guidance to treat your pet’s particular condition.
Corn Silk Tea And Its Goodness
There is constant research being conducted on corn silk tea and how it can benefit your health. If you are looking for a mild, natural remedy that helps in improving your health, this is an excellent option that you should definitely try out. It has a great taste and is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It also contains polyphenols that keep a wide range of diseases away. This makes corn silk tea a beneficial beverage, whether you are trying to treat a specific condition or simply want to improve your general overall health. According to researchers, corn silk has other benefits as well. It is found to be an effective natural treatment for conditions including disorders of the prostate, obesity, PMS and carpel tunnel syndrome. So, as you can see, drinking a cup or two of corn silk tea every day can have many wonderful effects on your body and give you many benefits. As with all natural remedies, it is important to consult a doctor before starting. It is vital to make sure that you are not taking any medications that have an adverse effect on your health when combined with a natural remedy. You should also make sure that you don’t have any conditions that lead to further complications when you use remedies like corn silk tea. Whether you are taking corn silk tea to treat a medical condition or want to gain all the nutrients it has to offer, make sure that you discuss it with your health care provider beforehand. Does corn silk reduce belly fat? Discover more benefits of the delicious tea these silky strands can offer in the infographic below. Jesse Feder says, “In some research studies, corn silk has been shown to curb fat synthesis and reduce belly fat in humans.” How long does it take for corn silk to work? According to Jesse, “There is still limited research on corn silk. However, the studies that showed a positive effect took place over 4-8 weeks. So, it is best to assume you should wait around 4-8 weeks to see an effect.” Is corn tea the same as corn silk tea? “No, they are made using different parts of the vegetable and are not the same,” says Jesse. Is cornsilk tea good for acid reflux? Jesse says, “Corn silk tea can help improve digestion and reduce acid reflux.” It exerts a cleansing action and soothes the stomach lining. How do you dry corn silk for tea? Place the corn silk on a paper towel and leave it in the sun for a week. You can then use this dried corn silk to make tea. Does corn silk tea contain caffeine? No. Corn silk tea is naturally caffeine-free. What does corn silk tea taste like? Corn silk tea has a delectably earthy and slightly sweet flavor.
