Cornsilk |
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When you think of corn, you’re probably imagining the most generic vegetable around. But it wasn’t that long ago that corn was the center of life in North America. Even today, American Indians revere the corn plant for all that it can provide. And while you’re probably aware of all the things you can cook and make with corn, you may not know that even the silk around the corn has value in herbal medicine.
The major nutrient in cornsilk is potassium. It’s responsible for all of the benefits that come from this part of the corn plant. It acts as a powerful diuretic and that probably accounts for the help that cornsilk can provide for the urinary system.
If you have excess fluid in the body and are feeling bloated and retaining water, you’ll find that taking cornsilk can help rid you of the extra weight. You’ll feel like you can move your joints more freely and you won’t feel the discomfort that bloating can cause.
If you’re having problems with urinary tract infections, you’ll find that cornsilk can help to relieve the pain you’re feeling and restore you back to health. One of the ways it does this is by soothing the inflamed tissues that are causing the problem.
When you have a urinary tract infection, you often feel like you need to urinate frequently, but the actual process of urinating is difficult. Cornsilk can help to relieve your difficulty and it decrease the frequency that you need to go to the bathroom.
If you’re suffering from kidney stones, you may also find this herb helpful. Cornsilk can help to relieve the pain and symptoms associated with them. In addition, cornsilk can be used to treat problems with cystitis. Cornsilk alone won’t treat the problem, but in combination with modern medicine, cornsilk can help you to have relief from your symptoms.
Cornsilk can also improve your blood pressure, thin your blood, and it can even help your liver to function better when it comes to producing bile. It’s used in Chinese medicine for these purposes regularly.
You can use cornsilk in the form of a decoction, tincture, or you can take cornsilk capsules to bring relief. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions when using it to get the greatest benefit.
The next time you’re preparing an ear of corn for dinner, you’ll think twice before you throw away all of that healthful cornsilk. But in the meantime, you may want to order some for your pantry today.