Corn Silk Profile

Also known as

Zea mays, Indian Corn, Maidis Stigma, Maize Silk, and Stigma Maydis.

Introduction

Zea mays is the botanical name for corn. Zea comes from Greek, meaning "to live." Mays comes from Spanish ma?z, or maize, the same word as a term in a native Mexican language meaning "mother," or "mother of life." Corn silks are the silky tassels running the length of an ear of corn. They serve as styles or tubes for collecting the pollen that fertilizes each seed. Corn silk is not considered a food, but it has a long history in herbal medicine.

Constituents

1,8-cineole, alpha-terpineol, beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol, geraniol, hordenine, limonene, menthol, niacin, riboflavin, selenium, thymol, vitamin C, and vitexin. Corn silk contains many of the phytochemicals found in barley greens, the thymol found in thyme, and also the menthol found in mint. It may or may not contain vitamin K, depending on the growing conditions and how it is stored.

Parts Used

Dried silk, whole or powdered.

Typical Preparations

Usually taken as a tea, but can be used as an encapsulated powder or mixed with corn oil for application to the skin. May be administered as a capsule or extract.

Summary

Precautions

Do not use corn silk if you also take Lasix (furosemide).