The Efficacy and Effects of Drinking Corn Silk Steeped in Water

Apr 17, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Ziqi

Introduction

Corn silk has a diuretic effect, increasing urine output and promoting the elimination of excess water and salt from the body, thereby reducing fluid retention and alleviating edema, particularly showing some improvement in lower limb edema. It can also stimulate bile secretion, reduce bile viscosity, facilitate bile excretion, and has an auxiliary therapeutic effect on diseases such as cholecystitis and gallstones.

Drinking water infused with corn silk typically offers health benefits such as promoting diuresis and reducing edema, clearing the liver and benefiting the gallbladder, assisting in regulating blood sugar, helping lower blood pressure, and improving blood lipid levels.

1. Promoting Diuresis and Reducing Edema: Corn silk has diuretic properties, increasing urine output and promoting the elimination of excess water and salt from the body, thereby reducing water and sodium retention and alleviating symptoms of edema, especially improving lower limb edema.

2. Clearing the Liver and Benefiting the Gallbladder: It can promote bile secretion, reduce bile viscosity, facilitate bile excretion, and provide auxiliary treatment for conditions such as cholecystitis and gallstones. It helps reduce the burden on the liver and supports liver and gallbladder health.

3. Assisting in Regulating Blood Sugar: The saponins and flavonoids in corn silk can promote insulin secretion and enhance insulin sensitivity, helping regulate blood glucose levels. It can serve as an auxiliary beverage for diabetic patients but should not replace medical treatment.

4. Assisting in Lowering Blood Pressure: The potassium and other active components in corn silk can dilate blood vessels, improve circulation, reduce peripheral vascular resistance, and thus exert a certain auxiliary effect in lowering blood pressure, benefiting individuals with mild hypertension.

5. Assisting in Improving Blood Lipids: The active ingredients in corn silk can help reduce serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, aiding lipid metabolism regulation, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, and offering a certain degree of protection for cardiovascular health.

Drinking corn silk-infused water is a healthy and practical beverage option, but it should be consumed in moderation, and individuals should consider their own health conditions before consumption. A light diet should be maintained, and spicy or irritating foods should be avoided.

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When is the best time to drink corn silk tea?

Generally speaking, there is no specific best time to drink corn silk tea. However, drinking corn silk tea in the morning after waking up or half an hour after meals can be beneficial for health. Having a cup of corn silk tea in the morning helps the body eliminate excess fluid and reduce swelling. Drinking it half an hour after meals can aid gastrointestinal motility, promote digestion and absorption of food, and reduce the burden on the digestive system.

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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.