Preparation and dosage: blend 1 or 2 teaspoonful of the herb into 1 cup boiling water. Steep 10-15 minutes. Drink 3 x daily.

Cornsilk (Zea mays (formerly Stigmata maidis)) Powder Bulk 

Family

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Etymology

The genus name Zea is Latin for "cause of life." The species name, mays, derives from mahiz, "mother," the name given the plant by the Taino people of the northern Antilles. The common name corn derives from the Old English kurnam, "small seed."   

Range of Appearance

Corn is an annual cereal grass native to South and Central America. Its tall stalks, bearing large ears of grains protected by husks and corn silk, are easily recognized by most people.

Parts Used

Stigma (from female flower), style (collected when plant sheds pollen)   

Physiological Effects

Alterative, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, galactagogue, lithotriptic, stimulant (mild), tonic, vulnerary

Medicinal Uses

Corn silk, or the silky styles found on an ear of corn, has a soothing effect upon the urinary tract and helps restore tissue tone. It clears heat and excess uric acid and dries dampness. It is used for a wide range of genitourinary complaints, but is often combined with herbs that have more antiseptic qualities. Even though it is diuretic, it can also be used to treat too-frequent urination due to bladder irritation. Research from China indicates that cornsilk can lower blood pressure in cases of hypertension and reduce blood clotting time. Corn-silk tea is used to treat bedwetting, benign prostatic hypertrophy, bladder inflammation, bladder stones, cystitis, dropsy, edema, gallstones, gonorrhea, gout, hypertension, incontinence, jaundice, kidney stones, prostatitis, rheumatism, urethritis, and urinary infection. Corn-silk tea can be used to make a soothing enema. Powdered corn silk can be applied topically to heal wounds.

Culinary Uses

Corn silk is not generally considered edible, aside from as tea. The grain of corn, however, was such an important food to the early Native Americans that ceremonies were held to honor the Corn Mother as a deity. Some tribes referred to corn as "giver of life." Today corn is still a popular grain; it is eaten on its own and is used to make corn oil, cornmeal, polenta, popcorn, corn syrup, and a multitude of other food products.

Other Uses

Corn silk can be added to smoking mixtures for its mildly sweet flavor.

Constituents

Ascorbic acid, panothenic acid, vitamin K, flavonoids (anthocyanins), calcium, potassium, silica, malic acid, maizenic acid, alkaloid (hordenine), cryptoxanthin, mucilage, saponins, sterols (sitosterol, stigmasterol), allantoin, resin, tannin

Contraindications

Generally considered very safe.

Plant details were provided by iPlant by Brigitte Mars.

Hyperlink it to https://brigittemars.com/iplant-app/