Maize hairs, zea mays L., (syn. corn hair) cut, from conventional farming - 50g

Zea mays L., (syn. corn hair) cut, from conventional farming

Indication

Very effective diuretic (flushing agent), which can be drunk for a long time without contraindications, for urinary retention, acute and chronic cystitis and kidney stones, for heart complaints

Use

Put 1-2 teaspoons in 250ml of hot water (80°C), leave to steep for 10-15 minutes and drink while still warm.

Description of the medicinal herb

History:

Corn is a common and well-known crop and is the third most widely grown cereal crop in the world, after wheat and rice. As a fodder grain, it is in first place. In Italy, the USA and other countries, corn is also an important food plant for humans. In the form of cornflakes, corn has also found its way into grocery stores in this country. In natural medicine, corn stigmas, Maydis stigma, are used. They consist of the dried thread-like style of the female flowers. The drug smells sweet and tastes slightly sweet. The beard of the corn plant promotes excretion, stimulates the metabolism and thus helps with weight loss. Traditionally, corn beards are used to support the excretory function of the kidneys. Corn beards are also used for gout and rheumatic complaints. Corn silk tea can also be tried by people suffering from high blood pressure and constipation. These indications are based solely on tradition and experience gathered over many years. In China, the tea is considered to lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels and is classified as ‘neutral’ in its thermal effect from a TCM perspective. Corn silk can be taken over long periods of time, even during breastfeeding.

The starch from the corn fruit is an ingredient of dietary supplements, powders and an excipient in the production of tablets. The valuable corn oil is obtained from the seedlings and is used to prevent arteriosclerosis due to its high content of unsaturated fatty acids.

Occurrence:

Corn originally comes from Central and South America (Mexico), but has also been cultivated in Europe since the 17th century. It thrives in the north as far as southern Sweden and in the south as far as New Zealand. The largest producer country is the USA, where it is unfortunately now also grown in a genetically modified form, and not only there.

Plant family:

sweet grasses = Poaceae, Gramineae

Colloquial names:

corn (English), granoturco (Italian), kukuruz, corn whiskers, corn hairs, maize stigmas, Turkish wheat, Turkish wheat.

Botanical description:

Cultivated corn is a hardy, annual, deciduous, versatile, morphologically diverse useful and medicinal plant that can reach heights of 1-3 m. The round stem, which is not or only rarely branched, is covered by smooth leaf sheaths along its entire length. It is pithy on the inside and can reach a diameter of 5 cm at the base. The numerous nodes are particularly close together near the ground. Roots develop from them, which serve to absorb water and nutrients, but above all to stabilise the plant. The up to one-metre-long, dark-green leaves grow 4-10 cm wide and have a 3-5 mm long, slit or ciliate leaf membrane at their base. The flat leaf blades are slightly rough, occasionally with scattered hairs and wavy towards the edge. The male inflorescences are prominent as terminal panicles at the shoot tip, with the panicle branches consisting of spikelets arranged in pairs, each with two male flowers. Female inflorescences grow in 1-3 lateral short shoots in the leaf axils on the lower to middle stalk. These lateral, short-stalked cobs are completely enclosed by bracts and bear spikelets in pairs in 8-16 longitudinal rows. Each spikelet consists of two flowers, but only one of them is fully developed. The ovary is very small (3 mm), but at flowering time it is equipped with 20-40 cm long beards. Later, the dried beards protrude as a brownish bundle from the tip of the cob between the leaf sheaths.

Part of the plant used:

Corn silk consists of the cut beards, also known as corn styli or corn hairs (Maydis stigma), the female flower of the corn plant, which are quickly dried in the shade.

Active ingredient/collection time:

June to October

Ingredients of corn silk:

Minerals (potassium), polyphenol tannins, bitter substances, mucilage, essential oil, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids.

Medical properties:

Diuretic, cleansing and blood pressure lowering.

Corn silk has a diuretic effect, presumably due to its high potassium content. It is therefore used for bladder and kidney complaints, as well as for oedema, arthritis and rheumatism. It also contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, including sitosterol, which have a strong effect on the metabolism of fats and promote their secretion. This is the reason for its success in treating saddle bags (cellulite), dropsy and a tendency to obesity. It also contains salicylic acid and vitamin K, which have a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect.

Use and dosage:

For acute and chronic cystitis, kidney stones, heart problems, constipation, oedema, obesity, high blood pressure, kidney and bladder problems, cellulite, obesity, rheumatism, gout and arthritis.

Effective diuretic (flushing agent) that can be drunk for long periods without contraindications, for urinary retention, acute and chronic cystitis and kidney stones, for heart problems.

To make corn silk tea, add about 0.5 g (1-2 teaspoons) of corn silk to about 150 ml (1 cup) of cold water, bring to the boil briefly, cover and leave to steep for 5 minutes. Strain before use and sweeten with honey, for example, according to taste. Drink 1 cup of freshly prepared tea 3-4 times a day.

Special notes:

Due to insufficient experience, do not use without medical advice during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children under 12 years of age.

Do not use for heart problems, kidney disease or conditions in which an increase in the amount of urine is undesirable.

To support the diuretic and detoxifying effect, you should also drink plenty of water and eat a low-sodium diet. You should avoid heavily sweetened drinks, and those containing caffeine and alcohol.