After we have talked about the benefits of corn cob, let’s now move on into the corn silk. For those who don’t know, corn silk is the long yellow “hair” found scattered as we peeled the husk of the maize. Despite looking like hair, in reality they are indeed loose fibres!
Many prefer to throw away the husk and the silk of the corn, but then the silk can also turn out to be a hidden wonder for skin and also organ health. So today, we are going to find out more about the corn silk, and of course the health benefits of corn silk soap.
Nutritional Facts of Corn
Serving Size – 1 cup (166 g)
- Water – 17.2 g
- Calories – 606 kcal (30% of DV)
- Total Fat – 7.9 g (12% of DV)
- Saturated Fat – 1.1 g (6% of DV)
- Polyunsaturated Fat – 2.1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat – 3.6 g
- Trans Fat – 0 g (0% of DV)
- Cholesterol – 0 g (0% of DV)
- Sodium – 9 mg (0% of DV)
- Total Health Benefits of Carbohydrates – 123 g (41% of DV)
- Sugar – 1.1 g
- Dietary Fibre – 12.1 g (48% of DV)
- Protein – 15.6 g (31% of DV)
- Vitamins and Minerals
- Benefits of Vitamin A During Pregnancy – 355 IU (7% of DV)
- Vitamin B6 – 1 mg (52% of DV)
- Vitamin B12 – 0 mcg (0% of DV)
- Vitamin C – 0 mg (0% of DV)
- Vitamin D – 0 mg (0% of DV)
- Vitamin E – 0.8 mg (4% of DV)
- Vitamin K – 0.5 mcg (1% of DV)
- Calcium – 11.6 mg (1% of DV)
- Iron – 4.5 mg (25% of DV)
- Magnesium – 23 mg (5% of DV)
- Manganese – 0.8 mg (40% of DV)
- Phosphorus – 349 mg (45% of DV)
- Potassium – 476 mg (14% of DV)
- Selenium – 25.7 mcg (37% of DV)
- Sodium – 58.1 mg (2% of DV)
- Zinc – 3.7 mg (24% of DV)
All the information above are in relation to a 2,000-calorie diet. The percentage of daily value (% of DV) may differ depending on personal calorie needs.
What are its Health Benefits?
- Corn Silk Treats Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
Urinary tract infection or UTI or bladder infections can widespread from the bladder to the kidney, urethra and ureter. UTI is treatable with corn silk because they are anti-inflammatory substances for the urinary system.
2. Corn Silk is Diuretic
Corn silk is traditionally used as a diuretic substance, which promotes the flush out of excess substances, waste and toxins from the body. It is also scientifically proven that diuretics in the long term also avoids diseases like heart or kidney failure.
3. Corn Silk Manages Kidney Stone
Kidney stones are made of crystallized deposits that halts the flow of urinal waste significantly, therefore causing great discomfort. Corn silk since the ancient age has been known to be able to increase urine flow and decrease the possibilities of sediment formation inside kidneys.
4. Corn Silk Facilitates Positive Blood Clotting
Blood clots aren’t always negative after all! Corn silk also facilitates positive blood clotting, which means that one does not experience significant loss of blood in situations like surgeries and injury, all thanks to vitamin K.
5. Corn Silk Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension has become a common thing in modern life, partly due to stress. Consuming benefits of baby corn for our health silk helps to lower down blood pressure, and also to ensure that one does not need to endure the adverse side effects of OTC blood pressure medications.
6. Corn Silk Controls Blood Sugar Levels
A 2012 study published in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules showed the importance of corn silk it has on diabetes. After conducting laboratory tests involving rats, it is proven that application of corn silk polysaccharides help the reduction of blood sugar levels. Whereas a separate 2009 study also revealed that corn silk increases insulin levels in the body.
7. Corn Silk is an Anti-Inflammatory
Here is one traditional purpose of corn silk; which is as an anti-inflammatory. Corn silk can also work as an ailment for gout and also arthritis.
8. Corn Silk is Anti-Cholesterol
A study conducted at China’s Jilin University involving rats prove that corn silk help to bring down cholesterol levels.
9. Corn Silk Has Benefits of Vitamin C for Hair
Corn silk also has vitamin C, which is also very useful for boosting immunity and the function of bodily organs.
10. Corn Silk Helps to Control Weight
Corn silk has relatively low-fat content, which can come useful for a supplementary weight control item.
11. Corn Silk Soap for Allergy Treatment
Now here is the first topical function of corn silk, which is for allergy treatment. Allergy-related problems like itching, rashes, boils, and pain caused by wounds could be handled by using corn silk soap.
12. Corn Silk Soap for Pigmentation Solving
Finally, corn silk soap is also useful for fixing uneven skin pigmentation or its related diseases such as vitiligo.
Cautions & Recommendations on Corn Silk
Corn silk is generally safe for most people out there, however they may also decrease the amount of potassium inside the blood and cause dermatological side effects like rashes, itching and also allergies. Allergies specifically, can be triggered when using lotions that contain corn starch.
For pregnant women, corn silk is unsafe in large quantities worrying that it may stimulate the uterus and therefore cause miscarriage. And then, there is also a concern that large quantities of corn silk may also lower blood sugar, which interferes with diabetic people’s control of their blood sugar and also blood pressure.
How to Make Corn Silk Tea
Ingredients
- Chopped corn silk
- Water
- Raw honey or sugar for sweetener
Steps
- First, boil 1 tablespoon of corn silk in 1 cup of water.
- Once it is done, cover the pan or pot and let it steep for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
- Once it has steeped, let it cool.
- As the mixture is cold enough to be drunk, one can add one teaspoon of honey or sugar for sweetener, whichever they may prefer!
- The remaining amount of corn silk tea could be stored inside the refrigerator for the next 2 to 3 days to ensure freshness.