American Indians used corn silk as a remedy for bladder infection. Today, corn silk remedies are still used for the same traditional conditions.

Personal Story

I have shucked many ears of corn since my childhood. We had fun playing with the corn silk, but I had no idea that corn silk had medicinal properties.

Traditional Uses for Corn Silk

Corn silk cleanses the urea as it circulates. Some of the traditional uses are for:

• Bedwetting, when it is due to an inflamed bladder
• Bladder inflammation, acute and chronic
• Blood pressure reduction
• Cystitis receives benefits from corn silk’s use as a diuretic
• Edema from heart disease
• Kidney problems: corn silk aids the passing of kidney stones (gravel)
• Painful urination
• Prostatitis
• Urethritis
• Urinary stones
• Urinary difficulties for the aged

The medicinal form of corn silk is usually dried, tincture, or capsule.

Safety

Class 1. No drug interactions or side effects have been reported. There are precautions for the use of herbal diuretics for some people. Also, persons who have sensitivities to corn should not use.

Action Step

Corn silk has benefits.  You may want to keep it in mind for the future.

Resources:

The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants, by Matthew Wood

Today’s Herbal Health, by Louise Tenney, M.H.

Medical Herbalism, by David Hoffman

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. When have you used corn silk?