Cornsilk
Urinary System Regulator
Cornsilk is the silky tassel found inside the corn husk. Because it sticks out from the tip of an ear of corn like a beard, cornsilk is known as “corn beard” in China.
This delicate herb is collected when the corn is in milk and is often used green. Cornsilk contains a number of important elements including: silicon, B vitamins, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
This unlikely herb is the stigma of the maze or American corn flower. Corn silk was not known to the Europeans until after Columbus came to the Americas. From there it traveled to China where the people made good use of corn silk’s medicinal properties.
It is believed that our modern usage of corn silk is taken from China rather than from the American Indians. The Indians are thought to have used corn silk medicinally, but our records are not complete on how and for what they used it for.
Austrian folk medicine claims that cornsilk is good for weight loss, fluid of the heart, gout and rheumatism. This member of the grass family is listed as an official drug in China and has been used to treat diabetes, hepatitis, kidney inflammation, urinary difficulties, hypertension and jaundice. In addition, it has been used as a treatment for cystic problems for over a century.
Throughout recent decades the Chinese have been evaluating many herbs, including cornsilk. They have found that cornsilk is successful in treating chronic nephritis and nephrotic syndrome.
One report recorded that twelve patients with nephrotic syndrome were treated with cornsilk for a three month period. Ten of the twelve patients had severe edema (water retention) all over their bodies before the treatment began.
In nine of the patients, the edema disappeared completely, and in two of the others it was reduced significantly.
Corn silk’s most notable property is its ability to regulate the urinary system. Cornsilk will cleanse the bladder membranes and is considered one of the most valued of all urinary sedatives for bladder infections in children.
In addition, this odorless herb is helpful in treating bed wetting, especially when the condition is a result of weakness or irritation of the renal system. Also, cornsilk is well known to herbalists who are treating people with dangerous deposits of brick dust in the urine or for the elderly who are often afflicted with scanty and offensive releases of urine.
Other conditions that cornsilk may be used to treat include: inflamed bladder or urethra, slow urination, uric acid build up, kidney and bladder stones, high blood pressure, cholesterol build up and gallbladder conditions.
Cornsilk has a diuretic action which acts as a tonic on the heart and blood vessels. In addition, the high vitamin K concentration is thought to help the body overcome bleeding.
Cornsilk can also be used externally as a powder or ointment for wounds and ulcer-like skin problems.
Take one or two capsules with meals two to three times daily, or as needed.
Sources
Health through God’s Pharmacy by Maria Treben (Vienna, Austria: Wilhelm Ennsthaler, Steyr, 1990).
Indian Herbalogy of North America by Alma R. Hutchens (Ontario, Canada: Merco, 1969).
The Male Herbal Health Care for Men & Boys by James Green, herbalist. (Freedom, California: The Crossing Press, 1991).
