Corn Silk
OTHER NAME(S): Barbe de Maïs, Blé d'Inde, Cheveux de Maïs, Corn Silk Tea, Indian Corn, Maidis Stigma, Maïs Violet, Maize Silk, Maydis Stigma, Purple Corn, Seda de Maíz, Soie de Maïs, Stigma Maydis, Yu Mi Xiu, Zea, Zea mays, Cornsilk, Seda del Maíz, Barbe de maïs
Overview
Corn silk is the long shiny fibers at the top of an ordinary ear of corn (Zea mays). It's often discarded as waste but is also used in medicine.
Corn silk contains proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It also contains chemicals that might have antioxidant effects, reduce blood pressure, and alter blood sugar levels.
People use corn silk for chest pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
We currently have no information for Corn Silk overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Corn silk is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe when used in larger amounts as a medicine. Side effects seem to be rare but might include decreased potassium and sodium levels in the blood.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Corn silk is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe when used in larger amounts as a medicine. Side effects seem to be rare but might include decreased potassium and sodium levels in the blood.
Pregnancy: Corn silk is possibly safe when used in the amounts normally found in food while pregnant. But taking larger amounts as medicine is likely unsafe. Corn silk might stimulate the uterus and cause a miscarriage. Avoid use.
Breast-feeding: Corn silk is possibly safe when used in the amounts normally found in food while breast-feeding. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if corn silk is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine while breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
Blood levels of potassium that are too low: Large amounts of corn silk might make this condition worse.
Surgery: Corn silk might interfere with blood sugar or blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop using corn silk at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Corn SilkCorn silk might lower blood sugar levels. Taking corn silk along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
- Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Corn SilkCorn silk might lower blood pressure. Taking corn silk along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
- Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with Corn SilkSome medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Corn silk might also decrease potassium in the body. Taking corn silk along with some medications for inflammation might decrease potassium in the body too much.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with Corn SilkCorn silk can decrease potassium levels. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium levels. Taking corn silk along with "water pills" might make potassium levels drop too low.
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
- Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with Corn SilkCorn silk contains large amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin K is used by the body to help blood clot. Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. By helping the blood clot, corn silk might decrease the effectiveness of warfarin. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of corn silk might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- Wichtl MW. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Ed. N.M. Bisset. Stuttgart: Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers, 1994.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Hasanudin K, Hashim P, Mustafa S. Corn silk (<em>Stigma maydis</em>) in healthcare: a phytochemical and pharmacological review. Molecules 2012;17:9697-715.
- George GO, Idu FK. Corn silk aqueous extracts and intraocular pressure of systemic and non-systemic hypertensive subjects. Clin Exp Optom. 2015 Mar;98(2):138-49.
- Li CC, Lee YC, Lo HY, Huang YW, Hsiang CY, Ho TY. Antihypertensive effects of corn silk extract and its novel bioactive constituent in spontaneously hypertensive rats: The involvement of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. Molecules. 2019;24(10):1886.
- Kim YH, Cho A, Kwon SA, et al. Potential photoprotective effect of dietary corn silk extract on ultraviolet B-induced skin damage. Molecules. 2019;24(14):2587.
- Shi S, Li S, Li W, Xu H. Corn silk tea for hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:2915498.
- Ikpeazu VO, Ugbogu EA, Emmanuel O, Uche-Ikonne C, Okoro B, Nnaemeka J. Evaluation of the safety of oral intake of aqueous extract of Stigma maydis (corn silk) in rats. Acta Sci Pol Technol Aliment. 2018;17(4):387-397.
- Shi S, Yu B, Li W, Shan J, Ma T. Corn silk decoction for blood lipid in patients with angina pectoris: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytother Res. 2019;33(11):2862-2869.
- Sheng L, Chen Q, Di L, Li N. Evaluation of anti-diabetic potential of corn silk in high-fat diet/streptozotocin- induced type 2 diabetes mice model. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2020.
- Shahzad MK, Amir Shahzad M, Qadeer U, Mehmood A. Investigation of phytochemical profiling and therapeutic effects of corn silk against diabetes in human male subjects. Pak J Pharm Sci 2022;35(6(Special)):1699-1703.
- Gumaih HS, Alasbahy A, Alharethi SH, Al-Asmari SM, Al-Khulaidi AWA. Antiurolithiasis activities of Zea mays extract and its mechanism as antiurolithiasis remedy. Am J Clin Exp Urol 2023;11(5):443-451.
- Mohammadi A, Oroojan AA, Hashemi M, Poormoosavi SM, Dolatshahi M, Golshokouh F. Hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of corn silk extract in nicotine-administered male mice. Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench 2024;17(1):64-73.
- Samandarian S, Soltani R, Hajhashemi V, et al. Efficacy of an Oral Solution Containing Five Herbal Extracts in the Treatment of Urolithiasis: A Randomized, Single-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial. J Res Pharm Pract 2024;12(3):96-103.
- Dong W, Zhao Y, Li X, Huo J, Wang W. Corn silk polysaccharides attenuate diabetic nephropathy through restoration of the gut microbial ecosystem and metabolic homeostasis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023;14:1232132.