Corn hair, also known as corn beard or corn stigmas, is a medicinal plant widely used to treat kidney and urinary system problems, such as cystitis, nephritis, prostatitis and urethritis, due to its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties.
This plant has the scientific name of Stigma maydis and its composition contains substances such as vitamins, proteins and carbohydrates that are important for maintaining a healthy body. Corn hair also has flavonoids, which are compounds found in fruits and vegetables and which have an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, for example.
Generally, corn hair is used in its dry extract form to make tea, and can be purchased at health food stores and at some drugstores.
What is it for
Corn hair is the part that is inside the ear of corn and it is the yellowish threads that develop during the development of the grains of this food. This part of the corn is used in various regions of the world as a medicinal plant to treat various diseases and health problems, such as:
- Cystitis; Nephritis; Prostatitis; Kidney stone; Gout; Urinary incontinence; Swelling.
Corn hair is a natural product with a diuretic effect, this means that it helps to increase urinary frequency and consequently helps to reduce blood pressure. Some studies show that this medicinal plant can also lower blood sugar levels and can help restore the balance of intestinal flora by improving the regulation of the intestine. Understand what intestinal flora is and what it is for.
Main properties
Corn hair contains substances such as proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium and compounds such as flavonoids, which are important for delaying aging and have anti-inflammatory action on the body. Because of this, this plant also has hypoglycemic, purifying and anti-fatigue properties.
The diuretic property of corn hair is well known and occurs because this plant relaxes the lining of the bladder and kidney tubules, reducing irritation and increasing the elimination of urine. In addition, corn hair is considered a mild hypotensive, as it helps to lower high blood pressure levels by decreasing sodium reabsorption.
How to use corn hair
Corn hair is most often used in the form of tea, from the dry extract purchased from health food stores.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dry corn hair extract, 250 mL water;
Method of preparation
Boil the water with the dry extract of corn hair, cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Then wait for it to cool a little and strain, and you can drink this tea up to three times a day.
In addition to tea, corn hair can be found as a food supplement, and the recommended dose in the studies is 400 to 450 mg to be taken 2 to 3 times a day, however, before ingesting this type of product it is It is important to consult a herbalist to know the correct dose to use and one should not abandon conventional treatment guided by the doctor.
Who should not use
Studies show that corn hair is a safe medicinal plant with few associated side effects, however, it should be used with caution in people with people who have inflammation in the prostate, because as it increases urinary frequency it can cause discomfort when urinating.
It should not be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women, as it alters the levels of the hormone oxytocin, which is responsible for contractions of the uterus, for example. And yet, people who already use blood pressure lowering drugs, anticoagulants, diuretics and diabetes should ask the doctor before starting to use corn hair.
