Corn Silk Benefits and Uses – How to Make Corn Silk Tea?

Most of us love munching corn. Usually we do not pay much attention to corn silk, which is usually thrown away. But you will be surprised to know that it has lots of health benefits.

How corn silk is procured for usage?

When you remove the greenish cover surrounding the corn cob, you will see a layer of stringy stuff. This is the corn silk. You can use in the fresh form as well as in the dried form. Just pull off these golden-green strands and store them in a pot. If you want them fresh, you can store them in an airtight container and keep in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about two weeks in this way. If you dry them, you will need a few days to dry them completely, depending on the weather. After they are completely dried, they will last for a long time.

Benefits of Corn Silk:

Facilitates blood clotting:

It contains vitamin K, which is needed for blood clotting. So, corn silk makes sure that you will not suffer from excessive blood loss in case of injury.

Helps fight obesity:

Excess of water retention and toxin accumulation can lead to obesity in some people. For such people corn silk is very beneficial. It can remove excess water and waste from the body and lower your weight. Have corn silk tea twice or thrice in a day for best results.

Helps regulate blood sugar levels:

If you are suffering from blood sugar problems, corn silk tea is beneficial for you. According to some studies made rats afflicted with diabetes showed reduction in blood sugar levels on application of corn silk polysaccharides. High blood sugar can lead to various problems like stroke, kidney problems and diabetes. Another study showed that corn silk tea can help in the generation of insulin the body.

Helps heal inflammatory ailments and conditions:

Corn silk with its anti-inflammatory properties is good for treating inflammatory ailments like arthritis and gut, and reduces the pain thus experienced. The diuretic property of corn silk helps in the prevention of excess uric acid formation in the joints, which can lead to gout pain. However, you can take it as a cure for arthritis related conditions.

Helps fight cholesterol:

Cholesterol in the blood can cause various critical health conditions. So, it is important that you maintain the levels of cholesterol in the body. This can prevent various problems of the heart. Consumption of corn silk can bring down the cholesterol levels.

Keeps kidney stones away:

Corn silk has been used from the ancient times to prevent kidney stones. This is because it can increase the urine flow and decrease the chances of any sediment formation in the kidney. It is the sediment that later on leads to kidney stone formation. However, if you already have kidney stones, it will not treat them.

Lowers blood pressure:

Nowadays, a large number of people suffer from high blood pressure and the issues related to it. Drinking corn silk tea regularly is a good remedy for it. This way you will not suffer from the side effects of OTC blood pressure medications.

Source of Vitamin C:

Vitamin C present in corn silk is great for enhancing your immunity power. it is also good for various other functions of the body.

Treats urinary tract infections:

Corn silk is good for treating urinary tract infections as it has anti-inflammatory properties. It coats the lining of the urinary tract and prevents further irritation. Drinking corn silk tea is beneficial for soothing the inflamed bladder and the urinary tract. It has the ability to make you urinate, thus reducing the risk of bacteria build-up in the urinary tract. Irritated prostate gland can also be treated by consuming corn silk tea.

Works as a diuretic agent:

Corn silk tea acts as a natural diuretic agent. It helps in flushing out excess water and waste from the body and reduces the complications that you may face as result of water retention. According to studies made, using diuretics help in getting rid of various health problems. You can even avoid congestive failure and kidney diseases in the long run.

How to Make Corn Silk Tea?

Corn silk is not very palatable. So, you cannot use it directly as it is. To get the maximum benefits, you will have to collect corn silk from organic and fresh corn. If you do not have fresh or organic corn, you can buy corn silk powders and capsules that you get in the market.

Here are two methods to prepare corn tea:

Corn Silk and Lemon juice:

Ingredients you need:

• Dry or fresh corn silk
• Water
• Lemon juice

Preparation Method:

• Boil water for some time and as it boils, add the dried or fresh corn silk.
• Boil it for a few minutes and then steep for a few minutes.
• Now it will turn into a brown and caramel-like liquid.
• Strain and serve the tea.
• You can have it warm or cold as you prefer.
• Some people add lemon juice to it to enhance its taste and flavour.
• If there is tea left, then you can keep it in the refrigerator for a few days.

Corn Silk and Honey:

This method of making tea is ideal for those who want to get the natural benefits of corn silk.

Ingredients you need:

• Dried corn silk
• Water
• Honey

Preparation Method:

• Here you need not boil the water.
• Pour some water in a glass jar with a lid.
• Now add the dried corn silk in to the water.
• Cover with the lid and keep the jar in the sun for the whole day.
• At the end of the day take the jar inside and add some honey to it. Stir well.
• Keep it in the refrigerator and you can serve it chilled.