How has it been used?

Corn (or Maize) has been and still is the main food source for many people in the world. For example, it is the most widely grown crop in America and it is the most important food crop in Africa.

The main historical and current use of the Corn-silk as a medicine is for the special action of being what is known as a ‘soothing diuretic’. The main problems that Corn Silk has been used to help with are kidney stones and bladder infections, but other urinary tract problems have also seen Corn-silk being used in traditional herbal medicine including an irritable bladder, bed-wetting, prostate gland enlargement and fluid retention.

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP) describes the actions of Corn Silk as 'diuretic & antilithic (stone-preventing) and says it is indicated for 'cystitis, urethritis, nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) & prostatitis' and specifically indicated for 'acute or chronic inflammation of the urinary system' The BHP recommends doses of 4-8 grams or by infusion and the extract at a dose of 4-8 mls.

Safety of Corn-silk

Corn-silk is a completely safe herb to use in large or frequent doses when needed. It can confidently be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women and can be used with benefit by the young or old.