CORN

Health benefits of corn include controlling diabetes, prevention of heart ailments, lowering hypertension & prevention of neural-tube defects at birth.
The plant is said to have anticancer properties & is experimentally hypoglycaemic & hypotensive.

A variety of herbal remedies are prepared from different parts of the corn plant.
The silks are harvested before pollination occurs & are best used when fresh because they tend to lose their diuretic effect when stored & also become purgative.
Corn silk is a natural source of vitamin K & potassium.
The corn silks are cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, lithontripic, mildly stimulant & vasodilator.
They also act to reduce blood sugar levels & so are used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus as well as cystitis, gonorrhoea, gout etc.
Corn silk is anti-inflammatory & protects & soothes the urinary tract & kidneys.
It acts as a diuretic & increases the output of urine, without adding further irritation to an already inflamed system.
Corn silk can be used as an effective remedy for the treatment of acute inflammation & chronic physical irritation present in the urino-genital system,including problems like cystitis, disorders such as urethritis & cases of prostatitis in men.
Bladder infections & urinary tract infection in children are disorders which especially benefit from treatment using the corn silk.
Corn silk is used in removing toxins from the body, in the treatment of congestion & catarrh, in the reduction of deposits & irritants from the kidneys & urinary bladder.
Corn silk can be effectively used in the removal of urinary stones & accumulated gravel in the urinary tract, it is also used extensively where chronic bladder irritation & physical bladder weakening have led the to the development of a frequent need for urination & sudden bed wetting.

The lowering of elevated blood pressure may also be made possible by taking corn silk.
The corn silk also helps in the quick detoxification & rapid elimination of all accumulated toxins & metabolic wastes in the body - due to this, the remedy aids in relieving the symptoms of gout & disorders associated with arthritis.
It has a thorough but gentle detoxifying effect on the body.
Corn silk is thought to have a beneficial effect on the kidneys, reducing kidney stone formation & relieving some of the symptoms of existing stones.
Chronic cystitis can be relieved with corn silk & it is a useful adjunct to other treatments for acute cystitis.
Chinese remedy In China, corn silk is used to treat fluid retention & jaundice.
For urinary tract infections, try combining with uva ursi or Oregon grape.
Saw Palmetto combines well with corn silk, to help reduce prostate inflammation & help with pain while urinating.
For cystitis, add yarrow as an accompaniment to your corn silk.
Along with marshmallow root, corn silk may be helpful in easing the passage of a kidney stone.
Some people are able to take corn silk for longer periods of time, as a tonic herb. This may help reduce incidents of flare ups while you work on underlying diet & stone triggering issues.

The kernels of corn are what hold the majority of corn’s nutrients & are the most commonly consumed parts of the vegetable.
A decoction of the cob is used in the treatment of nose bleeds & menorrhagia.
A good emollient poultice for ulcers, swellings, rheumatic pains.
An infusion of the parched corn allays nausea & vomiting in many diseases.
The seed is diuretic & a mild stimulant.
It is widely used in the treatment of cancer, tumours & warts.
It contains the cell- proliferant & wound- healing substance allantoin, which is widely used in herbal medicine to speed the healing process.

Corn meal has been used by Native Americans for a wide range of ailments. It makes an effective poultice & has been used in Mayan, Incan & American folk medicine to treat bruises, swellings, sores, boils & similar conditions.

A decoction of the leaves & roots is used in the treatment of strangury, dysuria & gravel.

PRECAUTIONS:

Corn does contain large amounts of fatty acid, so for people who are already at high risk for heart disease, excess corn or corn oil can dangerously exacerbate those conditions & risks.
Also, corn is frequently turned into high fructose corn syrup, which is extracted from corn to use as a cheap sweetener. It is worse than table sugar & is a cause of obesity, as well as having a negative impact on your blood sugar levels.
It is found in many artificially sweetened foods & syrups, so avoid these if you want to only get the positive benefits of corn.

RECIPES:

The corn silk is usually taken in the form of an herbal infusion, though it can also be used either fresh or dried in these remedies.
Dosage of the herbal corn silk infusion for the treatment of urinary tract infections is 1 cup, taken 3x each day of the treatment period until full recovery.

Tea:

Use about 1 tbsp of chopped corn silk per cup of boiled water.
Cover & let this steep for 15-20 minutes or until cool enough to drink.
Strain.

Corn silk infusion, fresh or dried for cystitis: 1 cup 3x daily.

Corn silk is a safe & gentle herb to use in the treatment of bed wetting.
Use the tea or tincture during the day (up until about 4 - 5 hours before bed) to help strengthen a weak urinary system.
Can be combined it with plantain or yarrow.

For a poultice: a decoction derived from the corn meal can be thickened & used; this can be applied directly on wounds & sores. 

Tincture: 

Fill a small jar about 1/4 full of fresh, chopped corn silk.
Fill the rest of the jar with a high proof alcohol such as vodka.
Cap & let this infuse in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking occasionally.
Strain & dose around 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon, several times a day; reduce amount for smaller children.
Stores well over a year.
The corn silk tincture is excellent in the treatment of disorders like cystitis.

Glycerin Tincture:

Another way to preserve your fresh corn silk, is to use vegetable glycerin to make a tincture, instead of vodka.
Glycerites are more suitable for children, pets & those who wish to avoid alcohol.
Using 2-3 x the amount of glycerin than fresh corn silk, blend the two in a mini-food process until thoroughly macerated.
Pour into a jar, cap & store in a cool dark place, shaking daily.
After two weeks,strain.
A suggested starting dose is 1/4 - 1/2 tsp, several times a day.
Stores about a year.

Steamed Corn: 

Clean the fresh corns & cook them in a container filled with water.
Add butter, lime, salt to the cooked corn for additional flavour.

Salad: 

Mix chopped onion, tomato, lettuce, cooked corn kernels in a bowl.
Season with salt, pepper, lime juice & olive oil.

Green Chili Corn Bread:

1 cup of buttermilk
½ tsp of baking soda
2 tsp of baking powder
2 eggs, well beaten
¼ cup of flour
1 cup of yellow corn meal
¼ cup of salad oil
1 medium onion, chopped
110 g canned green chilies, chopped
1 cup of Cheddar cheese, shredded
230 ml can of creamed corn
Mix all together.
Pour into well greased 9 x 9 inch pan.
Bake at 200 C for 1 hour.

BEAUTY:

Topical problems & skin irritations as well as inflammation can be treated effectively & benefit from the corn silk's healing & soothing abilities.
As an external or topical treatment, the corn silk is also excellent for rapidly healing wounds & all types of ulcers affecting the skin.

MAGIC:

Corn is a symbol of fertility & everlasting life & rejuvenation.
Use corn in rituals involving growth & transformation.

Eat yellow corn on the summer solstice for blessings & prosperity.
Consume white corn for spiritual insight.
Blue kernels found on an otherwise red corn cob will bring the person who finds them very good luck.

Scatter blue corn meal to purify & bless a space.

Hang red corn above doorways at harvest time to protect rewards that have been reaped.
Financial or love wishes that are shouted out as popcorn is popping will come true.

Some farmers believe that if you miss a row while you’re planting corn, someone in your family will die before harvest season.

If you see kernels of corn lying in the road, it means company is on the way - but if you brush the kernels away or bury them, your visitor will be a stranger.

If a girl finds a blood-red corn cob among the yellow ones, she is sure to marry before the year is out.
Corn silk is a very powerful ingredient when added to love spells; it is designed to attract the person you desire.
Corn on the cob represents the phallic gods & draws creative or sexual energy.