Corn silk pertains to the thin, threadlike material found at the end of a corn husk. It ranges in color from light yellow to brown, and can reach more than a foot in length in some species of corn. As part of the corn plant, its main function is to catch pollen. As a medicinal, however, corn silk brings with it a wealth of uses rarely seen in most botanicals. It is typically harvested during the summer, when corn ripens, then separated and dried before being used in herbal remedies.
According to the foundations of traditional Chinese medicine, corn silk has sweet and neutral properties, and is associated with the Bladder, Gallbladder and Liver meridians. It functions as a diuretic and helps reduce the incidence of swelling and edema. Corn silk is believed to exert a positive influence on the kidneys and urinary system, helping to prevent the formation of kidney stones and stones in the urinary tract. In addition, corn silk can help lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar levels, and help promote blood clotting. Corn silk also has mild antiseptic properties, making it effective in the treatment of minor wounds and infections.
The typical dosage of corn silk is between 15 and 30 grams, boiled in water and drunk as a decoction. To treat urinary tract infections, some practitioners may recommend an infusion of corn silk taken up to three times per day. It can be used either fresh or dried.
Fresh corn silk can be found, along with fresh corn, at many supermarkets, along with Asian markets and herbal shops. Dried corn silk is also available, as are corn silk powders and pills.
Corn silk is considered extremely safe; the American Herbal Products Association has given it a class 1 rating, which means that it can be safely consumed when used appropriately. However, because it promotes the coagulation of blood, patients taking anti-coagulant medications such as warfarin should not take corn silk without first consulting with their health care provider. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking corn silk or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
References
A research letter in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) provides early findings from the most recent (2022) survey on the use of complementary health approaches (CHA). The findings include data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which conducts interviews both by phone and in-person. The CHA results have been published in 2002, 2012 and again in 2022.
When learning traditional East Asian medicine, we are taught the four pillars of diagnosis: inspection, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and palpation. When it comes to palpation, there is often a quick mention of feeling the acupuncture channels, and then the focus moves on to pulse diagnosis. Little to no time is spent palpating the channels – or the skin for that matter.
Topical analgesics (TAs) are effective. In fact, the American Geriatric Society recommends the use of topical agents for localized neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain as a front-line measure. The benefit of TAs is their high compliance, ease of use, direct application to the painful site, and limited systemic cross-reactions. The real challenge is choosing the appropriate topical for each patient given the myriad choices available.
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