What are the benefits of steeping corn silk in water?

Jan 22, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Xiuhong

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, the effects of corn silk steeped in water include assisting in lowering blood lipids, aiding in reducing blood sugar levels, promoting diuresis and reducing edema, improving digestion, and providing antioxidant benefits. However, please note that certain populations, such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, and individuals with kidney disease, should consult a healthcare professional before use. Additionally, it is recommended to consume it in moderation to avoid excessive intake, which may increase gastrointestinal burden or cause other adverse symptoms.

Generally speaking, the benefits of corn silk steeped in water include auxiliary lipid-lowering effects, auxiliary blood glucose reduction, diuretic and anti-edema properties, improved digestion, and antioxidant effects. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Auxiliary Lipid-Lowering Effects

The flavonoids contained in corn silk tea help reduce blood lipid levels and decrease cholesterol deposition. Drinking corn silk tea may assist in lowering blood lipids, help prevent cardiovascular diseases, and is suitable for patients with hyperlipidemia.

2. Auxiliary Blood Glucose Reduction

Extracts of corn silk tea have certain blood glucose-lowering effects. Drinking it may promote insulin secretion or enhance tissue sensitivity to insulin, thus helping regulate blood glucose levels and serving as an adjunctive treatment for diabetic patients.

3. Diuretic and Anti-Edema Effects

With an affinity for the kidney meridian, corn silk tea has diuretic properties. Drinking it can increase urine output, assist in eliminating excess fluids and toxins from the body, and alleviate edema. It is suitable for individuals suffering from chronic nephritis and lower limb swelling.

4. Improved Digestion

The dietary fiber in corn silk tea can stimulate gastrointestinal motility, aid digestion, and prevent constipation. Drinking corn silk tea may also stimulate bile secretion, assist in the digestion and absorption of fats, and improve symptoms such as indigestion and stomach distension.

5. Antioxidant Effects

Rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, and flavonoid compounds, corn silk tea can scavenge free radicals and slow down the cellular aging process. Drinking it helps reduce oxidative stress, prevent cardiovascular diseases, and delay aging.

However, pregnant women, lactating women, and individuals with kidney disease or other specific conditions should consult a professional physician before consumption. Additionally, it is recommended to drink it in moderation to avoid excessive gastrointestinal burden or other discomforts.

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What can be used to make tea for removing dampness?

Under normal circumstances, dampness is a common body constitution imbalance in traditional Chinese medicine theory and may trigger various health problems. Therefore, one can choose to drink water infused with coix seed, red adzuki bean, poria, winter melon peel, corn silk, and other ingredients to promote the elimination of dampness and improve related symptoms. In daily life, activities such as walking and jogging can be performed to accelerate metabolism and promote the removal of dampness.

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Is drinking corn silk tea effective for treating excessive internal heat?

If heatiness manifests as symptoms related to damp-heat, such as dry mouth and throat, yellowish or dark urine, and slight sore throat,适量 drinking corn silk tea may help alleviate discomfort by utilizing its heat-clearing and diuretic properties to expel damp-heat from the body. If the heatiness belongs to deficient fire, accompanied by symptoms such as tidal fever, night sweats, dry mouth without desire to drink, or severe heatiness symptoms caused by infections, etc.