Saturday, 01
June 2013 00:00
Dried
corn silk is cut and stored in an airtight container - preferably in a dark
glass container. The medicinal values, (especially the diuretic properties) of
the silk, like those of any other herbs, diminish after about two years of
storage. Corn silk is effective either fresh or dried. However, when used
fresh, it may act as a laxative. It is one of the safest herbs that can be used
for children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, adult and the aged.
Constituents
Of Corn Silk:
Laboratory
analysis reveals that the main active constituents of corn silk are as follows:
Maizemic acid, fixed oil, mucilage, sugars, resin, saponin, salicylic acid,
oxalic acid, alkaloids, tartaric acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins,
thymol, steroids, allantoin, etc. Miscellaneous constituents of corn silk
include: Vitamins (B vitamins and PABA, panthothenic acid, thiamin, beta
carotene, Vitamins C and K); it also contains high amounts of potassium,
silicon (silica), calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and zinc.
Therapeutic
Actions Of Corn Silk:
Diuretic,
demulcent, tonic, mild stimulant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, lithotriptic,
antiseptic and antimicrobial; and is a mild anodyne.
Method
of Preparation / Dosages:
(i)
Infusion (tea): 1 to 2 teaspoons of the
dried herb is infused for up to 10-15 minutes in a teacup of boiling water.
This could be taken warm or cold 3 -5 times daily, depending on the severity of
the condition.
Alternatively:-30g
of the herb is infused in a litre of boiling water, and a cup (200 ml) is taken
three times a day.
(ii)
Decoction: The silk from 3 ears of fresh corn could be boiled with 3 tea cups
of water for 5 minutes; and half or one cup of the decoction could be taken at
once for up to 3-4 times a day.
(iii)
Tincture of Corn Silk: Corn silk is soaked in
130g or 500ml of alcohol as a standard herbal tincture.
(iv)
Corn Silk Capsules: Dried corn silk is
powdered and capsulated. 2 capsules are taken 3 times daily with plenty of
water at meal times.
Corn
silk has been proven to have a very high amount of potassium which makes it a
very balanced herbal diuretic. It stimulates the renal epithelium cells to
excrete and increase urine flow in cases of water retention. Because of its
high potassium contents, it does not upset the body’s normal chemistry (i.e.
electrolyte balance). Also, due to its saponins, allantoin and mucilage
contents, corn silk exerts demulcent or soothing and healing effects on
irritated tissues in the body.
Therapeutic
Indications (Or Uses Of Corn Silk)Corn silk is given as an
effective and balanced herbal diuretic for minimizing oedema (water retention)
at the in the lower limbs as in pedal oedema in pregnant women, prior to the
monthly menstruation as in premenstrual syndrome (PMS), dropsies due to heart
disease, hypertension or the subpalpebral oedema (bag of water under the eyes).
Unsweetened
corn silk infusion alone is an excellent remedy given to children with profuse
albumin in urine due to nephrotic syndrome (Nephrosis).
Corn
Silk is used as a soothing and relaxing herb to help calm and alleviate the
irritation and inflammations in the kidneys, urinary tract, prostate and the
urinary bladder, which often result in burning and painful urination.
Therefore, corn silk is usually recommended in cases of nephritis (inflammation
of the kidneys), cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis and bedwetting.
Corn
silk clears toxins, catarrh, cataract deposits and reduces the formation of
sediments in the kidneys and bladder. It is used for the treatment of renal
calculi (kidney stones) and urinary bladder stones and gravel.
The
stone-breaking (litholytic) property of “stone breaker” (Phyllanthus nuriri) is
enhanced when it is combined with corn silk and given as infusion (tea). Also,
taking a mixture of corn silk and Phyllanthus nuriri as tea regularly helps in
the treatment and prevention of gallbladder stones, cholecystitis (inflammation
of the gallbladder) and sclerosis of the liver. Corn silk is a gentle
blood-purifying remedy and it helps in clearing excessive uric acids deposited
in the joints and body tissues. It also exerts some analgesic and anodyne
actions in the body and this makes it useful in the treatment of rheumatism and
arthritis, gout and sciatica.
A
regular intake of corn silk infusion is one of the cheapest ways of losing
excess body weight (obesity). For this purpose, corn silk is more effective
when it is taken in combination with other herbs like chickweed (Stellaria
media). Studies have shown that taking an overnight cold infusion of corn silk
exerts hypoglycemic (blood sugar-lowering) effect, especially in an overweight
patient. Taking corn silk infusion or the tincture will help in “cheering up a
depressed spirit” and calming a restless mind.
From the Guardian Newspaper
No comments:
Post a Comment