Plant Profile: Cornsilk

Cornsilk

(Zea mays)

Family: GRAMINACEAE

Energetics: Neutral. Moistening

Taste: Sweet

Tissue States: 

Systems Affected: Urinary. Liver. Small Intestines. 

Parts Used: tassels of the corn flower

Key Components: Saponins. Volatile Alkaloid. Sterols (including B-sitosterol & Stigmasterol). Allantonin. Tannins. Vitamin C. Vitamin K. 

Preparations & dosage: Standard infusion steeped 10-15 minutes. Tincture in alcohol or vinegar. 

Actions:

Foundational: Demulcent.

Primary: Diuretic. Lithotriptic. Cholagogue

Secondary: Tonic.

Uses: 

• Cystitis
• Prostatitis
• Urethritis
• Renal problems in children.
• As a general edema reliever in the body. 
• Too much alkalinity in urine.
• Soak nails in white or yellow cornmeal in an inch of warm water once a day or a few times per week to treat nail fungus.

Combines well with: 

For cystitis: Couch Grass, Bearberry or Yarrow.

Identifying: 

Growing:

Harvesting:

Contraindications: 

Sources:

The Complete Herbs Sourcebook: David Hoffman. Pg 244

The Way of Herbs: Michael Tierra. Pg 124
Earthwise Herbal: Volume 2: Matthew Wood. Ph 368-369