Corn is widely cultivated in our country, from mountainous regions to plains. In traditional medicine, corn silk, also known as "ngọc mễ tu", is a commonly used remedy. Corn silk is easy to obtain, simple to use, and straightforward to store, with the added benefit of offering numerous health advantages. It is rich in vitamins and essential trace elements necessary for the body, making it effective in treating various conditions.
1. Nutritional components of corn silk
According to Traditional Medicine, corn silk (along with the inner core of the corn plant) has a sweet taste and a neutral nature, affecting the kidney and bladder meridians. Corn silk is used as a remedy to treat many conditions, such as painful and difficult urination, urinary tract infections, hematuria, internal bleeding, kidney and gallstones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, and edema.
Additionally, corn silk is also employed to lower blood pressure and clear bile ducts in the treatment of liver and gallbladder disorders, gallstones, and jaundice. It is particularly noted as one of the most effective herbs for treating liver diseases. It is recommended to use 30-60 grams of dried corn silk or 100-200 grams of fresh corn silk daily.
Corn silk contains various vitamins and minerals, including: vitamin A; vitamin K; B-group vitamins: B1, B2, B6 (pyridoxine); vitamin C; vitamin PP; flavonoids: inositol, pantothenic acid; saponins; steroids such as sitosterol and stigmasterol; fatty oils; bitter substances; trace essential oils and other trace elements.
Thus, corn silk can be considered a natural remedy rich in essential vitamins for the body, helping to prolong youthfulness and being non-toxic with very reasonable cost.
2. Benefits of corn silk tea
- Drinking corn silk tea increases bile secretion and reduces bile viscosity, aiding its passage into the intestines.
- It helps lower blood sugar levels, enhances urine production, and helps in blood coagulation.
- Replacing daily tea with corn silk tea can be very effective for those with bile obstruction and gallstones.
- It acts as a diuretic in kidney-related diseases.
- It's effective for treating edema related to cardiovascular diseases.
- Regular long-term consumption of boiled corn silk is beneficial for people with kidney, bladder, or ureteral stones, helping to dissolve stones formed by urate, phosphate, and carbonate.
- It aids in stopping bleeding in cases of uterine hemorrhage, especially in individuals prone to bleeding.
3. Some remedies using corn silk
3.1. Kidney or urinary stones
Drink 20-60 ml of corn silk water 3-4 hours before meals.
- Place 10g of corn silk into 200ml of boiling water and steam for 30 minutes to make an infusion.
- For a decoction, use 10g of corn silk in 300ml of water and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
3.2. Bloody cough
Prepare 50g of corn silk and 50g of rock sugar. Boil into a soup. Consume one dose daily, drinking twice—once in the morning and once in the evening. Continue this regimen for 5 days using the same formula.
3.3. Diabetes treatment
- Method 1: Use 40-50g of corn silk daily to make a decoction to drink. It can be combined with other herbs such as asparagus root, sweet grass, anemarrhena, and ophiopogon for enhanced effects.
- Method 2: Stewed Pork with Corn Silk Prepare 100-200g of lean pork and 100-200g of fresh corn silk (or 50g of dried corn silk). Stew until tender, add appropriate seasoning, and serve to individuals with diabetes.
3.4. Urinary tract infection treatment
There are several ways to make corn silk tea to treat urinary tract infections. You can prepare fresh corn silk water, hot concentrated corn silk infusion, or cold corn silk tea with sugar, divided into multiple servings throughout the day, and drink daily as a substitute for regular tea.
3.5. Jaundice and hepatitis treatment
Prepare black bean porridge, dates, carrots, and corn silk. Then, take 60g of corn silk and boil to make an infusion; cook the corn silk water with black beans, dates, and carrots. Cook until tender and add a bit of seasoning to taste.
3.6. Hypertension treatment
You can combine corn silk with Sophora flower, Achyranthes root, sweet grass, and uncaria to stabilize blood pressure. This is because corn oil helps reduce blood fat levels, lower blood cholesterol, and slow the penetration of β-lipoprotein into the aorta, thereby reducing atherosclerosis and lowering blood pressure.
4. Who should avoid drinking corn silk tea?
- If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, it's advisable to temporarily avoid this beverage. Currently, there is not enough evidence to confirm that corn silk tea is completely safe for pregnant women or babies.
- If you are taking prescription medications for diuretics and diabetes, this drink may not be suitable because corn silk tea can interfere with the pharmacological effects of the medication.
- If you have a history of liver or kidney issues, you should consult with your treating physician before consuming this tea to avoid any potential health risks.
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