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Cornsilk
Cornsilk refers to the tassels or fine silk that are found sticking out from
the tip of an ear of corn, which is also known by its botanical name Zea mays.
Native to Latin America, it is believed that cornsilk was brought back to Spain
and eventually was transported to Orient where it is now used in the Chinese
system of herbology. Also known as Indian Corn, Ix-im, Jagnog, Mais, Maiz, Thurah
Safrah, Yu Kao Liang, and Yu Shu Shu; cornsilk has been used in alternative
herbal medical treatments for centuries.
Although corn is native to Latin America it is now cultivated in many sub-tropical
countries throughout the world in warm climates. Cornsilk is present in the
female flowers of maize and refers to the female’s flower pistils’ stigmas.
Stigmas are fine soft, yellowish threads which grow between 4 to 8 inches of
length. They range in color from light green to light brown, and when dried
cornsilk resembles fine, dark crinkled hairs. The best time for stigma collection
is prior to pollination and is best used fresh as time erodes its medicinal
quality.
Cornsilk contains such constituents as maizenic acid, fixed oil, resin, chlorophyll,
and water. Additionally, it contains silicon, B vitamins, PABA, and amounts
of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Historically used in the treatment
of gonorrhea and promoting bile flow, cornsilk has been used in alternative
herbal treatment of medical conditions such as: bladder infections; catarrhal
conditions to the urinary passages; catarrhal systitis; dropsies caused by heart
disease; edema; gonorrhea; and lithaemia. Due to its high potassium concentration,
cornsilk can be used as a diuretic. This use is effective in the treatment of:
acute and chronic cyitis; bladder irritation of uric acid and phostic gravel;
renal problems in children; and gonorrhea. Additionally, cornsilk can be used
in the reduction of inflammation and other painful symptoms caused by such diseases
as bladder stones, cystitis, fluid retention, premenstrual syndrome and fluid
retention. Cornsilk has also been used to relieve pain urinations in individuals
afflicted with an enlarged prostate gland. When used with bearberry, couchgrass,
buchu or Yarrow; cornsilk is an effective herbal treatment to cystitis.
Cornsilk is available in a number of different forms. If used in an infusion,
it is recommended that 2 teaspoonfuls of dried cornsilk herb be poured into
a cup of boiling water. After it has been infused for 10 to 15 minutes, the
recommended dosage is three cups drunk per day. If ingested directly as a dried
herb, the recommend dosage is 2 to 8 grams per day. If used in a tincture, the
recommended dosage is 3 to 6 ml taken three times per day. Although there are
no significant side effects attached to its use, it is recommended that individuals
with kidney problems avoid using cornsilk due to the unknown effects of cornsilk’s
diuretic effects on people with kidney problems.
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