Botanical Index No. 305

Corn Silk

zea mays

Medicinal Actions

Antiedemic, Cardiotonic, Cell Proliferant, Choleretic, Cholinergic, Diuretic, Gastrosedative, Hypertensive, Hypoglycemic, Hypotensive, Litholytic, Uterocontractant

Primary Conditions Treated

Atherosclerosis Bladder Stone Cholecystosis Cystosis Dropsy Dyspepsia Dysuria Enuresis Gonorrhea Gout Hepatosis High Blood Pressure Hyperglycemia Inflammation Low Blood Pressure Nephrosis PMS Prostatosis Rheumatism Stone Swelling Urethrosis UTI Water Retention Vulnerary

General Dosage

4–8 g silk as tea 3 ×/day; 1 tsp silk/cup water up to several ×/day; 2 tsp corn silk/cup tea every other day; 4–8 ml liquid extract; 5–15 ml tincture 3 ×/day; 2–3 tsp tincture/day; 8–15 ml syrup; 2–8 ml liquid corn silk extract.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 1. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. CAN reports dermatosis and allergenic reaction. Because of its uterine stimulant effect in vivo, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided. Because of its diuretic activity, could lead to hypokalemia.

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