Zea mays
(Corn silk)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Antiviral
• Demulcent
• Diuretic
• Enhances IgG and IgM formation
• Genito-urinary sedative
• Hypoglycemic
• Inhibits IgE formation
• Produces interferon
• Stimulant

Clinical Indications:

• Asthma
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• Congestive heart failure
• Cystitis (safe to use with bladder/renal disorders in children)
• Hypertension
• Incontinence
• Obesity where water loss is needed
• PMS bloating
• Enuresis
• Prostatitis
• Pyelitis
• Urethritis
• Urinary lithiasis

Contraindications:

• None known

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• In diabetics, insulin should be monitored due to the hypoglycemic effects

Chemical Constituents:

• Allantoin
• Anthocyanins
• Calcium
• Cryptoxanthin
• Glycoproteins
• Plant acids
• Potassium
• Saponins
• Sterols:
  
  Beta-sitosterol
  Stigmasterol
• Sugars
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K

Toxicity:

• No known toxicity

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).