From the depths of cornfields, a hidden hero emerges: corn silk, the husking hero with unexpected health powers. This golden fibre is a master of urinary troubles and inflammation management, and soothes with its natural tonic.
That’s not all. In agriculture, these silken threads, a secret pollinating agent, ensure corn’s bountiful yield. So the next time you throw corn silk in the trash, remember it’s not just nature’s decoration – it’s a secret weapon for wellness and farming success!
Traditional use
Mlise Maxongo, based in Worcester, Western Cape, says growing up surrounded by elders who used crops and herbs to heal and control illnesses, corn silk was among them.
“One of my uncles believed in herbalist healing. Corn silk mixed with nopales (cactus leaves) was boiled to aid men with erection challenges,” he says.
“This mixture was used both as an enema and as a drink.”
Mlise Maxongo
Maxongo notes that corn silk ash or dried corn silk was used on burns and wounds, made into a paste to apply to the wounds, which would then dry quickly.
“This practice worked similarly to nettles paste on wounds, as it is powerful in speeding up the healing process,” he adds.
Health and medicinal benefits
Megan Pentz-Kluyts, spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (Adsa) based in Cape Town, says corn silk contains proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Corn silk is also a source of antioxidants known as flavonoids.
She explains that animal studies have shown that corn silk polysaccharides significantly lower serum glucose, total cholesterol, and total triglyceride levels. “Diuretics derived from corn silk have been used to treat renal calculi and other conditions affecting the urinary system.”
She adds, “There is some evidence that corn silk can alleviate stress, boost energy, and elevate mood.”
Pentz-Kluyts notes that corn silk also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
“However, more evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of corn silk for these uses, as there is currently no good scientific evidence to support these uses in people.”
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How to use corn silk
The appropriate dose of corn silk depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and other conditions, explains Pentz-Kluyts.
“Currently, there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for corn silk.”
She adds that corn silk can be enjoyed as a tea, supplement, or herbal remedy. However, it is important to consult a healthcare professional, especially if you have allergies, are taking medication due to potential interactions, or have any medical conditions.
“Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe, and dosages can be important.”
Megan Pentz-Kluyts
Golden waste
Cape Town horticulturist Nomfusi Ntsobi says corn silk, also known as Maydis stigma, is an agricultural by-product obtained after cultivating corn.
She explains that the consumption of corn silk and its health benefits have been narrowly studied due to a lack of awareness. Therefore, it is often utilised as agricultural waste or recycled as fertiliser and animal feed.
Ntsobi adds that corn silk is a key source of fixed and volatile oils, natural antioxidants, and steroids like sitosterol, stigmasterol, alkaloids, and saponins.
“The flavonoids contained in corn, in particular, exert biological properties like antibacterial and antiviral effects, which are important to human health,” she explains.
“It’s medicinal effects on kidney and liver disorders, inducing diuresis, reducing inflammation, and combating obesity have been demonstrated, and it is verified in the treatment of chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidaemia.”
Nomfusi Ntsobi
She says this by-product also has pharmacological benefits that could be utilised as natural products in the treatment of illnesses and injuries.
Ntsobi notes that some of the pharmacological activities of corn silk have been reported to prevent oxidative stress, reduce blood glucose levels, inhibit inflammatory responses, exert anti-hyperlipidaemic effects, ameliorate nephrotoxicity, and show diuretic effects when corn silk extract is used.
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