Published by Jessica Conway
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I cannot count how many times I’ve tossed the corn silk and husks into the garbage can without thinking. Husking corn can be tedious if you have a lot of it and is messy and time consuming and yet the beautiful golden strands found within the corn is incredibly medicinal. Native Americans and the ancient Mayans and Aztec civilizations were said to drink the tea of corn silk for its healing benefits.
It never ceases to amaze me how much medicine surrounds us in the natural world that we are entirely unaware of. What would the world be like if we were all taught from a young age about the healing power of different plants as well as the biology and phytochemistry that helps us understand how plants assist us. If the knowledge of plants and modern medicine could work together instead of against one another, we would have the life saving knowledge of both and the wisdom to know which is needed. I teach my children what I know in hopes that it will help them in some small way in an uncertain future when dealing with their own health or to help heal others.
Corn silk is one of those medicines that we discard yet is used the world over for healing.
This amazing natural medicine can lower uric acid, assist with gout and kidney stones, remedy bladder issues, lower high blood pressure, help to tone the bladder, lower high blood sugar, and is anti-inflammatory.
Your kidneys love the compounds in these fibers. This plant material is a demulcent which is incredibly soothing to the entire urinary system. Any burning pain or irritation in the urinary tract can benefit from this remedy.
Corn silk is rich in vitamin K which can be difficult to get in other foods. Vitamin K improves our body’s function in many systems including our blood to clot, our metabolism, and bone health.
The sterols and phytochemicals in corn silk lowers high cholesterol and improves blood circulation to strengthen overall health and body function.
Corn silk is a diuretic which helps to flush out bacteria in the urinary tract and to rid the body of bloating and unnecessary water retention.
The liver also benefits from this nutritive fiber. The secretion of bile is stimulated by the properties in corn silk which assists functioning of the gall bladder to aid in digestion .
On top of all of the amazing abilities this fiber has, it is highly nutritious, full of beta-carotine, riboflavin, menthol, thymol, selenium, niacin, limonene.
How to use it:
Tea
The easiest way to benefit from the amazing properties while receiving the nutritive benefits of corn silk is to drink it as a tea. Simply take a small handful of the fibers and put them in a heat proof jar. Cover with hot (slightly less than boiling) water. Cover with a lid and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain the fibers from the liquid. You can now enjoy as is or add some honey for taste.
Tincture
To make a medicinal tincture from corn silk, use fresh strands of the fiber. Pat dry or let sit on a paper towel for a few hours to reduce moisture if it is wet. You will need enough fibers to fill an empty jar so use the size of jar most appropriate for the amount of corn silk that you have. Make sure the jar is sterile and dry. Slightly cut the corn silk strands. This will help the alcohol to absorb more of the plant material. Fill your jar to the top with the strands. Then pour alcohol (I use 100 proof vodka for this) over the strands to fill the entire jar and completely cover the strands of corn silk. It is important to ensure that the plant material is entirely submerged to prevent air exposure. Seal the jar with a tight fitting air proof lid. Shake the jar daily for 4-6 weeks.
Notes:
*Only use organic corn to make medicine from. I suggest going to a local farmer’s market and asking (to be sure) that there are no pesticides used on the corn. Pesticide will defeat our purpose of using this plant matter to heal our body.
*If you are on blood thinners or have issues surrounding blood clotting be sure to ask a health professional if this is safe for you
Looking for ethically grown/sourced natural medicine handmade in small batches? I make medicine and natural products. Here is a link to my shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/StarsandYarrow?ref=dashboard-header
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