For a long time, traditional medicine has utilized corn silk combined with plantain, sugarcane, or pandan leaves to brew a refreshing drink to cool down during hot days. Although it is a benign food, when consuming corn silk tea, one should be cautious of certain factors that may negatively impact health.
Dehydration from Excessive Consumption
Recently, during the hot weather, Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Bé (from Hanoi) noticed her grandson suffering from a rash and discomfort. Following a neighbor’s advice, she made a tea from corn silk, plantain, and lemon root for him to drink throughout the day instead of water. After a few days, she found her grandson frequently fatigued and less active, prompting her to take him for a check-up. To her horror, she learned that he had to be hospitalized due to “dehydration.” The doctor explained that her grandson had consumed too much diuretic tea from corn silk, leading to frequent urination and, combined with the hot weather causing excessive sweating, resulted in dehydration.
Traditional medicine practitioner Vũ Quốc Trung (from the Vietnam Traditional Medicine Association) noted that the cause of this situation was due to the fact that corn silk has excellent diuretic properties, and when consumed in large quantities by young children, it can lead to frequent urination, excessive urination, and dehydration. Corn silk significantly increases urine output, sometimes by 3-5 times, stimulates bile secretion, and reduces bilirubin levels in the blood.
Corn silk tea has diuretic effects, so avoid excessive consumption. (Photo: T.L).
According to traditional medicine, corn silk has a sweet taste and a neutral nature. It targets the kidneys and bladder, providing diuretic effects, reducing swelling, cooling blood heat, calming the liver, and stopping bleeding. It is very effective for cases of urinary retention and edema.
Practitioner Quốc Trung added that few plants contain such high nutritional content as corn silk. Not only is it a refreshing tea for summer heat, but corn silk is also a mixed herb rich in vitamins and essential trace elements needed by the body, offering superior antioxidant benefits compared to any supplement.
In traditional medicine, corn silk and the cob of the corn plant are sweet and neutral, affecting the kidney and bladder meridians. Corn silk is used to treat various urinary tract diseases: painful yellow urine, urinary retention, urinary tract infections, blood in urine, internal bleeding, stones in the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, ureters, bladder, and edema.
Corn silk contains vitamins K, A, B1, B2, B6, C, as well as bitter substances, fatty oils, essential oils, and many other trace elements. Therefore, drinking corn silk tea often provides a sweet, rich, and refreshing sensation. Daily consumption can enhance bile secretion, reduce bile viscosity, and facilitate bile flow into the intestines. Additionally, it lowers blood sugar levels and promotes blood coagulation. With a high ratio of potassium and calcium, drinking corn silk tea does not risk losing essential minerals.
Corn silk acts like “natural insulin”, potentially reducing blood sugar levels and preventing bodily harm from high blood sugar, thus reducing the risk of complications. Therefore, if you have high blood sugar, you can drink corn silk tea to help regulate your blood sugar levels.
In medicine, corn silk is well-known for its ability to treat gallbladder inflammation, hepatitis, and can be combined with vitamin K to stop bleeding. Regularly consuming boiled corn silk is beneficial for individuals with kidney stones or stones in the bladder and ureters, helping dissolve stones formed by urate, phosphate, and carbonate. Additionally, it aids in preventing frequent urination for patients with inflammation or prostate enlargement. Thanks to its diuretic properties, corn silk can also lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension.
Benefits of Corn Silk
Good for the Kidneys
Drinking corn silk tea is effective in treating kidney-related illnesses, including urinary tract infections, bladder inflammation, urinary system infections, and kidney stones.
Provides Vitamin C
Corn silk is rich in vitamin C, a strong antioxidant that helps prevent cardiovascular disease and stimulates blood circulation.
Aids in Weight Loss
With low calorie content, corn silk aids in the weight loss process. Drinking corn silk tea enhances metabolism, controls inflammation, and detoxifies the body.
Relieves Headaches
Corn silk contains anti-inflammatory substances that help alleviate chronic headaches. Drinking corn silk tea can soothe pain, reduce stress, improve circulation, and lessen stiffness in the shoulders, neck, and jaw.
Treats Rashes
Corn silk is used to treat skin issues like rashes and boils, alleviating itching and pain from insect bites, scratches, and minor cuts. It also possesses antibacterial and antiseptic properties, helping prevent infections.
Reduces Pain for Gout Sufferers
Gout is a form of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood, leading to severe joint pain. Drinking corn silk tea twice a day can help alleviate pain associated with gout.
Should Only Be Consumed Continuously for 10 Days
According to practitioner Quốc Trung, using corn silk as a refreshing drink based on traditional experience is a good habit because this beverage is relatively benign, inexpensive, and very beneficial for health. However, caution is needed to avoid potential health risks. Corn silk can be easily contaminated with pesticides from agricultural practices, so when brewing for drinking, it is essential to wash it thoroughly.
Many people have a habit of drying corn silk for later use instead of tea, which is also good, but using fresh corn silk is still the best because it contains more nutrients. Choose thick, shiny, smooth, and brownish corn silk. To enhance its effects, it can be combined with other diuretic herbs such as plantain, horsetail, bulrush root, and pennywort…
For young children, when using cool drinks to refresh in the summer, avoid continuous daily replacement for water.
Experts also recommend that if you are taking another medication for an illness, do not combine it with corn silk tea. It’s essential to avoid using it with any other diuretics without consulting a specialist. When using corn silk for treatment, it should only be taken for about 10 days, followed by a break of about a week before resuming use, to prevent electrolyte disturbances. Additionally, avoid consuming these diuretic drinks too much at night as it may disrupt sleep due to frequent nighttime urination.
For young children, when using cool drinks to refresh in the summer, avoid continuous daily replacement for water, and it should only be used for a short period. Overuse of diuretic substances can lead to electrolyte imbalances, increased excretion, and poor absorption of essential trace elements like calcium and potassium. The recommended dose is about 20 grams of fresh corn silk, or 10 grams if dried. For children, the recommended intake is only 1-2 small cups of about 200-300 ml per day. Adequate hydration is indicated when the child’s urine is clear, with only a light yellow color.
Pregnant women can also safely consume corn silk tea. In the early months, pregnant women often experience heat. To alleviate this condition, they can use cooling herbs like corn silk, sugarcane, and plantain. However, when combining corn silk with sugarcane, pregnant women should be cautious as corn silk has strong diuretic properties; excessive consumption can lead to frequent urination and reduced amniotic fluid. For safety, pregnant women should only drink it twice a week, and those diagnosed with low amniotic fluid should limit their intake of this tea.
