While you may have enjoyed corn on the cob, or its kernels boiled, crispy-fried, or popped, have you ever wondered about its silky hairs that you unpeel and throw away? Surprisingly, those silvery corn strands can be made into corn silk tea! Corn silk tea benefits, though not very popular, are significant nonetheless (1)! Read on to know how you can prepare corn silk tea and what all benefits it can offer you!
In This Article
Corn Silk – An Overview
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Corn silk contains stigmasterol and sitosterol, which are highly effective in preventing heart disease and high cholesterol (1). It also has plant acids that help in improving oral and skin conditions as well as regulating glucose levels in your body (2). The most common way to make use of corn silk is in the form of tea. You should definitely make corn silk tea a staple in your home.
StyleCraze TriviaIn folk medicine, corn silk is used to prevent melanin production and hyperpigmentation.
Here are the top 10 benefits you can get from corn silk tea
Health Benefits Of Corn Silk Tea
1. Provides Vitamin C
With corn silk tea, you get loads of Vitamin C. This is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent the damage of free radicals and cardiovascular diseases (2). It also stimulates blood circulation, which is essential for the optimal functioning of all the vital organs of the body.
Related: 28 Benefits Of Vitamin C, Dosage, Deficiency, And Precautions
2. Reduces Blood Sugar
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Corn silk tea is great for people with high blood pressure (3). It helps in reducing the levels of blood sugar by regulating insulin levels in the body (4). It is also an excellent natural treatment for congestive heart failure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.
3. Reduces Gout
Corn silk tea has many wonderful properties. These help in reducing pain that is associated with gout. Start by drinking 2-3 cups of corn silk tea a day. Once you gain relief from the pain, cut it down to 1 cup a day.
4. Treats Bedwetting
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This is a problem that children and adults face. Corn silk tea is a very effective home remedy for bedwetting. Experts recommend drinking 1 cup of corn silk tea before going to bed to treat this problem.
5. Helps Cope With Kidney Problems
Corn silk tea is also a wonderful home remedy for kidney problems (5). It is highly effective in treating conditions that are related to the kidneys, including painful urination, urinary tract infection, bladder infection, inflammation of the urinary system, kidney stones, etc.
Related: 11 Best And Easy Ways To Flush Your Kidneys Naturally
6. Boosts Digestion
This beneficial tea helps in boosting digestion and treating digestive problems (6). Research has shown that corn silk tea can stimulate the secretion of bile by the liver. This bile is stored in the gallbladder, resulting in proper digestion of food.
7. Controls Bleeding
One of the many benefits of drinking corn silk tea is that it provides your body with Vitamin K in a good amount. This vitamin is important for controlling bleeding, especially for women who are going through childbirth.
8. Increases Urine
As mentioned earlier, corn silk tea is an effective natural treatment for kidney problems. This is because it helps in increasing the amount of urine. When this occurs, you can avoid many kidney problems as toxins and other harmful substances are efficiently flushed out of your body.
9. Provides Nutrients
Corn silk tea is also a great source of beta-carotene, riboflavin, menthol, thymol, selenium, niacin, and limonene, among other essential nutrients. These are not available in all plant foods, and this makes this tea highly beneficial for your health.
10. Treats Rashes And Boils
Corn silk tea can also be used topically to treat skin problems such as rashes, boils and helps in relieving itching and pain caused by insect bites, scrapes, and minor cuts. It has antibacterial and antiseptic properties that help in preventing infections.
Related: 21 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Rashes On The Face + Diet And Prevention Tips
How To Make Corn Silk Tea
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Making corn silk tea is not difficult. All you need to do is:
- Boil 1 tablespoon of corn silk (dried and chopped) in 1 cup of water.
- Once it is done, cover the pan and allow it to steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
- When it is cold enough to drink, you can add 1 teaspoon of raw honey if you desire. This sweetens the tea for those who prefer it that way.
- You can store the remaining tea in your refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
The dose depends on the condition that you suffer from as well as your body weight. The general recommendation for adults is 1 cup, two to three times a day. Experts recommend not drinking corn silk tea right before you go to sleep. The dose for children should be reduced accordingly. Before you use this tea as a treatment for any condition, make sure that you consult your health care provider to make sure that it does not interfere with any medication.
StyleCraze TriviaA cup of corn silk tea contains zero calories and zero grams of sugar, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber.
How To Make Corn Silk Alcohol Tincture
To make a tincture out of corn silk, all you need to do is:
- Take a small jar and fill it about ¼ with chopped corn silk.
- Fill the rest of it with vodka or any other high proof alcohol.
- Cover the jar and let the two ingredients infuse for 4 to 6 weeks in a cool, dark place. Make sure that you shake it occasionally.
- Strain and take about ¼ to ½ teaspoon a few times every day. You should reduce the dose for smaller children.
- You can mix a spoonful of honey to make it taste better, especially if you are giving it to children.
You can store this corn silk alcohol for over a year as it has a long shelf life.
How To Make Glycerite Or Glycerin Tincture
Another way to preserve your corn silk is to use vegetable glycerin, instead of alcohol, to make a tincture. A glycerite is a better option for children, pets and those who do not consume alcohol. All you need to do is:
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- Take fresh corn silk and glycerin (about 2 to 3 times its amount).
- Blend the two in a food processor until it has macerated thoroughly.
- Pour the mixture into a jar, cover and store in a cool, dark place. Make sure that you shake it every day.
- After 2 weeks, remove it, and using a fine mesh sieve, strain the glycerite. You can also use several layers of cheesecloth.
- Experts recommend a starting dose of ¼ to ½ teaspoon several times every day. Reduce the dosage for children.
Like the alcohol tincture, this glycerite has a long shelf life and can be stored for about a year.
Corn Silk For Pets
As mentioned earlier, corn silk can be used to treat your pets as well. It is considered to be an effective natural treatment for feline lower urinary tract disease. Using fresh corn silk tea is the best option if it is the urinary tract that needs treatment. However, you can also use a glycerite.
Dosage For Pets
Corn Silk Tea: this suggested dose of this tea is about ¼ cup per 20lbs of body weight 2 times a day.
Glycerite: The suggested dose of this tea is ¼ teaspoon per 20lbs of body weight two times a day. This treatment is not recommended for pregnant animals.
You should consult your vet for further guidance to treat your pet’s particular condition.
Corn Silk Tea And Its Goodness
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There is constant research being conducted on corn silk tea and how it can benefit your health. If you are looking for a mild, natural remedy that helps in improving your health, this is an excellent option that you should definitely try out. It has a great taste and is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It also contains polyphenols that keep a wide range of diseases away. This makes corn silk tea a beneficial beverage, whether you are trying to treat a specific condition or simply want to improve your general overall health.
According to researchers, corn silk has other benefits as well. It is found to be an effective natural treatment for conditions including disorders of the prostate, obesity, PMS and carpel tunnel syndrome. So, as you can see, drinking a cup or two of corn silk tea every day can have many wonderful effects on your body and give you many benefits.
As with all natural remedies, it is important to consult a doctor before starting. It is vital to make sure that you are not taking any medications that have an adverse effect on your health when combined with a natural remedy. You should also make sure that you don’t have any conditions that lead to further complications when you use remedies like corn silk tea. Whether you are taking corn silk tea to treat a medical condition or want to gain all the nutrients it has to offer, make sure that you discuss it with your health care provider beforehand.
The benefits of corn silk tea are numerous. The tea can offer the required amounts of vitamin C, which plays a major role in the functioning of vital organs. It also helps manage blood pressure levels, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Corn silk tea also reduces the pain associated with gout. In addition, it also may help manage bedwetting, kidney problems, and bleeding. It also boosts digestion and helps treat boils and rashes. You can prepare this tea easily at home with simple ingredients. Corn silk alcohol tincture and glycerin tincture also offer various benefits. Try consuming corn silk tea in moderation to reap its benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you dry corn silk for tea?
Place the corn silk on a paper towel and leave it in the sun for a week. You can then use this dried corn silk to make tea.
Does corn silk tea contain caffeine?
No. Corn silk tea is naturally caffeine-free.
What does corn silk tea taste like?
Corn silk tea has a delectably earthy and slightly sweet flavor.
Sources
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Corn Silk (Stigma Maydis) in Healthcare A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6268265/ - An update on β-sitosterol A potential herbal nutraceutical for diabetic management
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332220308957 - Corn Silk Tea for Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30792743/ - The effects of corn silk on glycaemic metabolism
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19930631/ - Study of Kidney Repair Mechanisms of Corn Silk (Zea mays L. Hair)-Binahong (Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis) Leaves Combination in Rat Model of Kidney Failure
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=ijp.2013.12.23 - Corn phytochemicals and their health benefits
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453018301009
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Tanya Choudhary
Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin,… more
Garima Singh
(MSc (Nutrition), DNHE, DDHN)Garima Singh is a certified nutritionist and dietitian with over 7 years of experience. She provides both in-office and virtual… more
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