Anyone who has ever seen growing corn or prepared ripe cobs for cooking undoubtedly knows what corn silks look like. These are thread-like flowers in the form of thin fibers that encircle the fruit of the plant and are hidden under tightly pressed leaves. Unknowing people simply throw them away during the cleaning process, but those who are interested in traditional medicine understand how useful these parts of the cereal can be. Do you want to know what corn silks are: their medicinal properties and contraindications? Then read our article.
Health benefits of corn
Let's take a closer look at the main points characteristic of corn:
- Prevention of stroke, heart disease, diabetes and the formation of cancer is possible through regular consumption of corn decoction;
- Improving metabolic processes in the body by introducing dietary fiber, fiber and an abundance of vitamins into the body. Digestion, as well as other components of metabolism, will return to normal;
- Simplification of the menstrual cycle, swelling and pain will go away, precisely thanks to the consumption of corn;
- Strengthening vision is indeed possible because corn contains many carotenoids;
- Accelerating thought processes and maintaining healthy memory is necessary for any busy person;
- Enriching the body with the necessary vitamins, micro and macroelements. In this regard, corn even competes with sesame, and the latter, we remind you, is rich in a number of components necessary for the body. Individual components contribute to the breakdown of cholesterol and healthy accumulation of protein, which is why corn oil is used to prevent the development of diabetes and obesity in advance;
- The benefits of corn for nerve fibers have long been known. Vitamin B helps relieve stress, relieve tension and get proper rest;
- Diuretic effect is the next advantage of corn, which is used in appropriate preparations;
- Cleansing the skin, improving skin pigment and renewing the face are properties that are valued by cosmetologists, since even large companies produce products based on corn flour.
dietary supplements
To lose weight with the help of corn silk, just buy them at the pharmacy or order them through an online store. There are different forms of release: liquid extract, alcohol tincture, capsules, phyto-packages for brewing and simply dry raw materials.
The proposed TOP 10 best products with this herbal component will guide you in prices and direct your search in the right direction.
- Fitodol is a complex fat-burning tea with herbs. Institute of Natural Therapy. $24.4 for 20 briquettes.
- Gleyatonic with corn silk and agrimony is a native micellar complex in the form of an elixir. $3.4 per 100 ml.
- Cleansing jelly for weight loss. Leovit. $2.2 for 5 packages.
- Wheat fiber. SibTar. $1.5 for 180 g.
- Herbal tea for weight loss. BioTradition. $1 for 20 filter bags.
- Corn silk. Grass. Phytocontinent. $0.9 for 50 g.
- Corn stalks with silks - filter bags. Horst. $0.8 for 20 pcs.
- Corn silk. Mountain Altai. $0.8 per 50 g.
- Columns with corn silks are dry raw materials. Horst. $0.7 for 35 g.
- Corn silk. Herbes. $0.5 for 50 g.
Each of these products is accompanied by separate instructions that must be followed. It prescribes the dosage and duration of the course.
Facts, facts... Corn silk is included in many dietary supplements for weight loss along with other plant extracts. Unlike most of them, they actually promote weight loss. Few herbs do not raise doubts in this matter. But, having seen them in the composition of the drug, you can safely take it - you can’t go wrong.
Medicinal properties of corn silk
The medicinal properties of corn silk deserve special mention. Let's look at the proven effects that multiply the benefits of corn decoction:
- Removing excess moisture from the body has a beneficial effect on the kidneys, renews the gastrointestinal tract and supports the bladder, helping to cure inflammation of the organ. Timely use of the product will help overcome the disease and reduce the likelihood of relapse of the disease;
- Normalization of metabolic processes achieved due to the selenium content in corn. This component prevents the entry of harmful components from the environment. Moreover, selenium triggers immunity, which is especially important in autumn and winter;
- Stabilization of the central nervous system. The contained microelements calm nerve cells and prolong the life of nerve fibers. In this way, you can overcome insomnia, irritability and anxiety;
- Hemostatic effect. Blood purification and clotting is used by gynecologists who regularly prescribe drugs based on corn silk for patients with corresponding diagnoses;
- Treatment of childhood enuresis and other bladder problems;
- Combating female cystitis by improving kidney function;
- Liver cleansing. An indispensable property that helps restore the liver after exposure to toxins or antibiotics;
- The dilution of bile and the formation of prothrombins is valued by traditional healers who prepare preparations based on corn silk.
For weight loss
Many people who monitor their weight and periodically take various teas for weight loss and herbal teas that reduce appetite know that they often contain corn silk. How to brew them at home to get the same effect? To prepare the infusion, pour half a glass of raw material into 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave for two hours. Take 150 ml of the composition before meals.
Weight loss occurs due to the fact that stigmas reduce appetite and cravings for sweets, normalize metabolism and remove fluid. In addition, this medicine is rich in B vitamins. However, anyone who wants to lose excess weight needs to know that this folk remedy can also cause a negative effect. For example, only with constant use does appetite decrease, but even two missed doses will bring all efforts to naught.
With prolonged use of the infusion, some microelements (magnesium and potassium) are removed from the body. They will have to be replenished by taking medications. Another disadvantage of this method of losing weight is the risk of developing cystitis due to frequent urination.
Corn silk tea
Corn silk is the main component of medicinal teas, specific recipes for which we will consider below. This is a good remedy for fighting throat inflammation and treating colds. You will need a few simple ingredients:
- Half a spoon of black tea;
- Some corn silk;
- Cardamom;
- 300 milliliters of water;
Mix the indicated ingredients, put the composition in a thermos and pour boiling water over the mixture. Leave the raw material to steep in boiling water for 20 minutes.
It is recommended to drink the prepared amount on the same day when the tea is prepared, and the next day you should brew new tea.
Recipe
Recipe 1.
Preparing a regular infusion is quite simple. You need to pour 1 teaspoon of stigmas into a glass of boiling water and let it cool. This will usually take about an hour. Then you need to filter the infusion by straining through a strainer and drink a third of a glass 3-4 times a day 30 minutes before meals. For the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract, a course of 2 weeks is usually taken.
Recipe 2.
This drink is already more difficult to prepare. You need a water bath in which 2 teaspoons of herbs per 1 cup of boiling water will stand for 15-20 minutes. After the procedure is completed, the water will evaporate a little. You will need to add a full glass of regular boiled water and drink according to the same principle as the infusion. And be sure to take the decoction 30 minutes before meals so that the substances included in its composition have time to act.
Contraindications
There are virtually no serious prohibitions on its use, but overuse of the vegetable will certainly affect the body in a negative way. Possible exacerbation of gastritis, ulcers and other similar problems. Excessive amounts of corn in the diet will harm stool and cause digestive problems.
Before consuming a vegetable, it is better to consult a doctor and get a specialist’s approval to include corn decoction in your diet. Do not neglect the recommendations of your doctor, then problems will not arise. Be healthy, we wish you good luck!
Storage conditions and periods
Preparations that contain corn silk should be stored in a dark, cool and dry place.
The shelf life of the liquid extract is 3 years, and the dried stigmas are 2 years.
Ready-made decoctions and infusions are stored in a cool, dark place for no more than two days.
How to prepare and dry corn silk
Corn silks are harvested at the end of summer, when they contain the most useful substances, and the corn is not yet fully ripe. It is called "milk". The hair is separated by hand from the cobs.
Dry the stigmas, spreading them in a thin layer on cotton cloth, in a room with access to fresh air, but not in direct sunlight. You can dry it in the oven, but so that the temperature does not exceed 40 degrees and most of the beneficial substances are preserved.
Composition and action
Nondescript long fibers with a characteristic odor contain valuable ingredients:
- a large amount of vitamin K. Just 1 g of natural raw materials contains up to 1600 biological units of naphthoquinone derivatives;
- tannins;
- pantothenic and ascorbic acids;
- flavonoids;
- bitterness from the group of glycosides;
- essential oil;
- sitosterol, stigmasterol;
- saponins;
- inositol alcohol.
Beneficial effects of natural raw materials:
- improves bladder emptying, exhibits diuretic properties;
- normalizes the flow of bile;
- strengthens the immune system;
- reduces swelling in heart and kidney diseases;
- exhibits a hemostatic effect;
- normalizes sleep;
- has a bactericidal effect;
- accelerates the dissolution of salt stones in the urinary tract;
- reduces irritability and nervousness.
Find out the instructions for using the medicine Urodan for the treatment of urolithiasis.
Read about how and why bladder catheterization is performed in women in this article.
For the gallbladder
The gallbladder is a container for bile, which is formed in the liver and enters the duodenum in portions during meals. This process affects digestion, including the breakdown of fats. To maintain the health of the entire hepatobiliary system, regular outflow of bile is important. Otherwise, it thickens and stones begin to form.
The use of corn silk helps to avoid thickening of bile and the development of gallstone disease, which almost completely disrupts the functionality of the gallbladder and gradually disables the pancreas, liver and other organs of the digestive tract. The course of treatment usually lasts 14-30 days.
Use an infusion or decoction. After the end of the period of use, you can take a break for a month and then repeat the dose. When you brew corn silk or prepare a decoction, you should follow a diet that limits simple carbohydrates and excludes fried foods.
Collection, drying, storage of raw materials
Corn, unlike some plants used for weight loss (senna, garcinia cambogia, mangosteen, rauwolfia, etc.), is ubiquitous. Many farms and farmers have entire plantations of this crop. Therefore, if you do not trust industrially produced drugs, you can always obtain the raw materials yourself and prepare a weight loss product from it at home.
- Cobs that are in the stage of milky-wax maturity have healing properties. Harvesting takes place in late August-early September.
- Tear off the hairs by hand or with a knife.
- Spread them on a newspaper in a thin layer in a well-ventilated, warm room, but not in the open sun.
- If you use a special dryer, the temperature is set to 40°C.
- They need to be constantly turned over.
- The average drying time is about 2 weeks (depending on room temperature).
- All this time it is necessary to ensure that the fibers do not turn brown or mold. These should be immediately separated from the rest of the mass and thrown away.
- Store in fabric bags.
- Shelf life: 1 year.
Try to collect raw materials as far as possible from highways and industrial enterprises. It will be good if it is an environmentally friendly, non-smoky and non-contaminated area.
Extract
Pharmacies sell ready-made corn silk extract, which includes dry raw materials and a water-propylene glycol mixture. The medicine has instructions for use:
- Adults should take 5 drops in 50-200 ml of water three times a day, half an hour before meals.
- The course lasts 8-10 weeks, repeated after 2-3 weeks.
- To achieve a quick effect, you can put five drops of the extract under your tongue.
- Shake the bottle before use (available in 30 ml glass bottles).
- Contraindications for use are children and adolescents under 14 years of age, pregnancy, lactation, increased blood clotting, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, varicose veins, individual intolerance.
- The composition of the tincture does not contain dyes, preservatives, sugar, alcohol, or GMOs.
What are corn silks and what do they look like?
These are the fibers themselves, delicate grassy hairs located near the ear of corn, they are called corn silks. Many have known them since childhood. They have a characteristic odor and brown color. Very inconspicuous at first glance.
Let's see what they look like in the photo. You will probably recognize corn silks, which many considered to be the “hair” of corn and were even used during children’s games, when adults asked to peel the cobs for cooking.
Indications for use
Corn hair has many beneficial properties. This allows you to prescribe drugs containing plant extracts for the treatment of the following diseases:
- cholecystitis - inflammation of the gallbladder;
- chronic hepatitis - inflammation of liver tissue;
- biliary dyskinesia - disorders of the biliary system that are caused by poor functioning of the gallbladder;
- cholangitis - a disease associated with inflammation of the bile ducts;
- edema caused by the accumulation of excess fluid in the body;
- nephrourolytasis - a disease in which the kidney contains small stones;
- bleeding caused by a small number of prothrombins.
Corn silk for children
Corn silk has pronounced beneficial properties, but it is prohibited to use them to treat children without prior consultation with a pediatrician or specialized specialist. Stimulation of bile formation and bile drainage can provoke an exacerbation of some concomitant diseases, the appearance of biliary colic.
At what age can they be used by children? You should not give corn silk to children under 12-14 years old, and alcohol tincture - until 17-18 years old. But it is better to resolve this issue individually with your doctor.
During pregnancy
Corn silk can be used during pregnancy only after prior consultation with specialists. Traditional methods are in most cases contraindicated during pregnancy. The mechanism of influence of even natural remedies on the fetus has not been fully studied. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, you should not use corn silk during pregnancy. Alcohol tinctures are strictly contraindicated, since ethanol has a strong effect on the fetus and can contribute to the formation of various abnormalities in the development of the child.
