Corn Silk

Corn Silk

Other Names: Barbe de Maïs, Blé d’Inde, Cheveux de Maïs, Indian Corn, Maidis Stigma, Maïs Violet, Maize Silk, Purple Corn, Seda de Maíz, Soie de Maïs, Stigma Maydis, Yu Mi Xiu, Zea, Zea mays.
The long shiny fibers at the top of an ear of corn are called corn silk. Corn silk is used as a medicine.

Special Precautions of Corn Silk

• Corn silk can decrease potassium levels in the blood and can cause skin rashes, itching, and allergies.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Corn silk is safe for pregnant women when used in the amounts normally found in food. But larger amounts are unsafe, because corn silk might stimulate the uterus and cause a miscarriage. Not enough is known about the safety of taking corn silk if you are breast-feeding. It’s best to stick to food amounts of corn silk if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Diabetes: There is some concern that large amount of corn silk might lower blood sugar. This could interfere with blood sugar control in people who have diabetes.
• High blood pressure or low blood pressure: Large amounts of corn silk might interfere with control of these conditions.
• Blood levels of potassium that are too low: Large amounts of corn silk might make these conditions worse.
• Corn allergy: Applying lotions that contain corn silk might cause a rash, red skin, and itchiness if you are allergic to corn silk, corn pollen, or cornstarch.
• Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CORN SILK
• Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with CORN SILK
• Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with CORN SILK
• Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with CORN SILK
• Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with CORN SILK

Health Benefits and uses of Corn Silk are

Corn silk contains proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It also contains chemicals which might work like water pills (diuretics), and it might alter blood sugar levels, and help reduce inflammation.