FOOD AND MEDICINAL VALUE OF MAIZE (CORN)

Nature has perfectly fashioned seasonal foods in each geographical zones of the world to provide the inhabitants of the zones with the right kind of nourishment that will sustain them at specific periods of the year.

After rice, millet, and wheat, corn or maize is one of such seasonal foods (cereals) that have been known to most nations of the world right from the ancient times. Corn (maize) belongs to the family of grasses (graminaeae) and botanically it is called Zea mays. During its season, and depending on the nature of the soil, corn grows to a height of between 5 to 8 feet and is harvested within 70 to 90 days after planting.

The measure of a good diet is that:

• The diet or food must be high in complex carbohydrates.
• Very high in dietary fibers.
• Low in protein and fats.
  Analyses have shown that maize satisfies all the qualities of a good diet. In addition to be a rich source of complex carbohydrates, fibers, and small amount of protein and fats, Corn is also a source of B-Vitamins and Vitamin E. other phytochemicals found in corn include:
• Allantoin (a chemical that allows cells to multiply normally).
• Protease inhibitors which have been found to exhibit antiviral and anticancer activities? Unlike grains such as wheat, corn lacks gluten which makes it most suitable in the treatment of certain digestive diseases.Whole corn is better eaten (cooked or roasted) as soon as it is harvested from the farm. In this way the freshness, softness; sweetness and nutritional values are retained in tact.

1. Eating cooked fresh corn and drinking a glass of the water (in which the corn is cooked) with a spoon of pure honey, exerts a mild diuretic and tonic effect on the Kidneys and the Urinary System by:
   • Increasing the flow of urine.
   • Detoxifying the kidneys, and
   • Preventing the formation of stones along the urinary tract and in the kidneys. For this purpose, fresh corn should not be boiled with refined table salt.
2. Taking a glass of infusion (tea) made from fresh corn seeds with pure honey is one of the best ways of combating bed wetting (nocturnal enuresis) in children.
   The efficacy of this remedy is enhanced when it is combined with a tea made from a mixture of corn silk and phyllanrhus and given to the child to 3 times daily until the condition stops or improves.
3. Drinking corn seed infusion (tea) prevents nausea and vomiting.
4. Eating fresh corn helps in cleansing the teeth thereby lowering the risks of dental problems.
5. Whole corn provides most of the nutrients that are needed in building waste muscles and bones. Corn meal is therefore recommended for those that are recovering form severe illness as well as anemic and malnourished patients.
6. Unlike other cereals such as wheat corn meal lack GLUTEN (i.e a protein that causes inflammatory reactions in the small intestines) and because of this it one of the foods recommended for those suffering from:
   - Poor absorption.
   - Chronic digestive and colon disorders
   - Over activity of the thyroid gland
7. Corn meal is also recommended for women who want to boot up their estrogen
   (female hormone) activities.
8. Sweet corn is easy to digest and it adds bulk to food and yields high energy. As it forms bulk-laxative, it thereby promotes smooth bowel movements and helps in preventing constipation together with problems like piles (hemorrhoids), fissure (creaks in the wall of the rectum), etc.
9. The communities that eat corn regularly usually have a very low incidence of card non-vascular diseases like heart disorders, hypertension, etc. this is so because, corn have been found to lower high level of blood cholesterol.
10. Ground whole corn power is often added to some herbal preparations used in enhancing male libido or sexual stamina.
11. Taking 1-2 spoons of fresh corn starch dissolved in ½ a glass of cold water helps in stopping running stomach (diarrhea) and excessive uterine bleeding.
12. The fermented water extracted from raw cold corn starch commonly used in traditional medicine to boil herbs with the aim of enhancing the efficacy of such herbs.
13. Corn flour is very rich in attention (a cell proliferate) and it a very high emollient (i.e. Substance that softens soothes and protects the skin when they are applied externally).
    Corn flour mixed with small amount of salt can be used as poultice on:
    
    • Inflamed tissues
    • Wounds and sore: Corn starch disinfects wound, and protect injured surfaces from bacterial infections
    • Non-malignant tumors.
    • Public and kidney regions to ease the pains of bladder infections (cystitis) and in the kidneys.
14. Cornstarch is often incorporated into many natural cosmetics because of it soothing and emollient activities.
15. Corn oil is one of the best cooking oil. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and therefore lowers cholesterol.
16. Dr. C. Jaris in his book “Folk Medicine” (1958), recommended taking one tablespoon of corn oil with meals 2 time daily for about 2 months for the treatment of some chronic skin diseases, e.g.: dandruff, (scalp diseases), eczema, dry skin, e.t.c. He wrote that it is equally good for those suffering from Asthma and Hay Fever.

Using Corn Silk As Medicine

Corn silk is the silky, soft tassels found inside the husks of the Indian corn. The silk is cut off when the husks are fresh. It is dried in a warm and airy room or in a drying shed. The drying process takes approximately 1-2 weeks. The dried corn silk is cut and stored in an airtight container preferably in a dark glass container.

Corn silk loses its diuretic properties and becomes a laxative when it is stored inappropriately or when it is not properly dried.

Corn silk loses most of its healing properties after one year of storage. It is regarded as herb, not food.
Constituents:

1. Vitamins: B panthothenic acid, thiamin, beta carotene, vitamin C , and K.
2. Corn silk is rich in potassium, iron, silicon (silica), calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.
3. The main constituents are maizemic acid, fixed oil, mucilage, resin, saponin, salicylic acid, oxalic acid, alkaloids, tartaric acids, flavonoids, tannins, thymol, steroids, etc.

Herbal Actions:

• Alterative - Anti-inflammatory - Hypoglycemic
• Anodyne - Diuretic - Litholytic
• Analgesic - Demulcent - Hypertensive
• Tonic - Mild Stimulant - Sedative
• Stomachic - Antiseptic & Antimicrobial.

METHOD OF PREPARATION / DOSAGES

1. Infusion (tea): 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herbs is infused for up to 10 minutes in a teacup of boiling water. This could be taken warm or cold 3 -5 times daily.
   Alternatively:-30g of the herb is infused in a litre of boiling water.
2. Decoction: The silk from 3 ears of fresh corn could be boiled with 3 tea cups of water for 5minutes up to ½ - 1 cup of the decoction could be taken at time for up to 3-5 times a day.
3. Tincture of corn silk: (130g /500ml of alcohol) prepared as a standard herbal tincture.
4. Corn Silk capsules: Dried corn silk is powderized and capsulated. 2 capsules are taken 3 times daily with plenty of water at meal times.

Therapeutic Indications (uses) / synergism/ Compatibility:

1. Renal (Kidney) Problems: Corn silk combines diuretic and demulcent (soothing any inflamed surface), anti- inflammation action in one. For this reason it is very useful in the treatment of:
   1. Nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). In this case, pure honey could be taken along with the cornsilk tea.
   In cases of nephritis usually due to bacterial infections, corn silk combines well with renal antiseptic herbs like Garlic, Parsley, Goldenseal Root, Yarrow, Aloe/Coconut water (mixture)
   2. Profuse albumin in urine due to nephritic syndrome (Nephrosis), unsweetened corn silk infusion alone is excellent for this condition, especially in children.
   3. Renal colic: Because of the sedative, anti-inflammatory and the analgesic actions of corn silk, the infusion or the decoction of the herb calms the pains of renal colic. It may be taken in conjunction with GARLIC.
   4. Renal Lithiasis or Kidney Stones or Gravel: Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, chemical and artificial additives and colorings and other chemicals can create a build up of waste materials which could be difficult for the kidneys to fitter out. Sometimes, these waste materials aggregate and crystallize and form GRAVELS OR STONES in the Kidneys a condition known as RENAL LITHIASIS. The intake of corn silk tea regularly is known to prevent the formation of kidney stones in susceptible patients.
      The tea also helps in dissolving Kidney Stones. In this condition, corn silk combines well with Plyllanthus nuriri (or cleavers). Corn silk tea may be taken in conjunction with Lemonade, Garlic/lemon juice mixture, Aloe vera / Coconut water mixture.
      In all the kidney problems mentioned above, drinking plenty of fluid (in form of spring water, fruits juices, etc) in addition to the herbal therapies, will help flush the kidneys, prevent the deposition of sediments and also prevent kidney infections.
   5. Subpalpebral edema (Bag under the eyes): The kidneys play a major role in removing waste materials from the bloods. In achieving this, it works together with the liver, lungs, skins and the heart (links with emotional bodies).
      Negative emotion like unhappiness, fear of unfaithfulness, feeling of insecurity and jealousy in marriage upsets not only the activities of the liver, pancreas, stomach and ovaries; but most importantly, those of the kidneys.
   • Bags under the eyes (subpalebral edema).
   • Pimple face ( or skin blemishes) and
   • Dark circle under the eyes are some of the external manifestations that may indicate that the kidneys require cleansing (flushing).
   • Garlic/ Golden seal / Golden rod.
   • Aloe vera gel / Coconut water, etc.
Take corn silk herbal infusion in addition to the juice extracted from Water Melon, Grape, Papaya, Carrot seeds, etc. The therapy may be taken along with herbs like:
2. Edema: Corn silk (tea, decoction, etc) is known to have a diuretic property (i.e. helping to eliminate water from the kidneys or water retentions in the body). It is also rich in vitamin K and does not result in loss of potassium (a problem common with synthetic diuretics). Because of these, corn silk is very useful in the treatment of:
   
   1. Fluid accumulation in the heart and heart enlargement. In this case it may be combined with herbs like:
      -Garlic -Yarrow - Hawthorn berries -Chickweed -Dandelion - Swedish bitters.
   2. Pedal Edema in pregnancy and fluid retention in Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). In these cases, corn silk may be combined with Yarrow, Nettle, Dandelion and Phyllanthus nuriri.
3. Hypertension: Studies have shown that corn silk infusion or decoction lowers high blood pressure. Also, it is a safe herbal diuretic for hypertensive patients. It is rich in vitamin k and prevents the loss of potassium.
   NOTE: Kola nut, coffee, tea, cocoa and other caffeine-containing herbs exert diuretic effects (i.e. increasing the elimination of water from the kidneys).They may increase the diuretic action of corn silk, especially when taken at bed time. Like the chilled beer, all the above mentioned substances and herbs may aggravate the nocturnal urinary symptoms of Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (BPH).
4. Genitourinary Problems: Being a diuretic and urinary demulcent, infusion or decoction of corn silk, when taken, helps to soothe the irritation in the bladder and along the genitourinary tract which causes frequent burning and painful urination in cases of:
   
   1. Cystitis (chromic / acute inflammation of the bladder) caused by infections e.g. E. coli. In this condition, corn silk combines very well with Rosalle (red sorrel), often called “TROPICAL CRANBERRY”
   2. Urethritis (Inflammation of the urethra) caused by STDs like N.gonorrhea, etc.
   3. Prostititis (inflammation of prostate gland).
   In all the above mentioned cases, corn silk is usually combined with herbs that have more antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, e.g:
   • Phyllanthus nuriri
   • Garlic (or Garlic /Onion /Wine)
   • Golden seal root - Buchu - Lemon/Garlic
   • Uva ursi - Yarrow - Onion (decoction)
   • Couch grass - Hydrangea
   • Golden rod - Colloidal silver, etc.
   (iv) Corn silk infusion or decoction is equally useful in the treatment of:
   (a) Bed wetting: In this case, corn silk combines well with herbs like:
   - Phyllanthus nuriri.
   - St. John's wort or St John's wort / Horsetail.
   - A decoction of 2 chicken liver / cinnamon.
   (b) Urinary incontinence (due to bladder weakness): In this condition, corn silk combines well with
   - Phyllathus nuriri,
   - A mixture of thyme /plantain.
   - Small flowered willow herb.
5. Shedding of excess body weight: Regular intake of corn silk tea helps in shedding off excess body weight and fats. To achieve a good result, corn silk infusion can be taken daily for a long time.
   
   NOTE: Corn silk is very safe for both children and the elderly; and the infusion can be taken over a long period of time, even in pregnancy.
   For weight reduction, corn silk combines well with:
   - Chickweed - Wild chicory
   - Fennel seeds - Pineapple juice /honey
   - Pawpaw seeds / Grape fruit juice
6. Diabetes mellitus: Studies have shown that taking an overnight cold infusion of corn silk exerts hypoglycemic (Blood sugar lowering) effect, especially in an overweight patient.
7. The oral intake of corn silk infusion or tincture helps in calming the mind and also" cheering up a depressed spirit”. Because of its sedative action, corn silk is given in cases of restlessness and dysmenorrheal.
8. A mixture of corn silk and Phyllanthus nuriri, when taken as tea regularly, helps in the treatment and prevention of:
   - sclerosis of the liver.
   -Gall bladder stones and cholecystitis (gall bladder inflammation).
9. Removal of excessive uric acids: Uric acid is generated by the consumption of red meat (also ingested with the meat are the toxins like hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals which the muscles of the body absorb).
   At the saturation point, these uric acids and other metabolites crystallize into a sharp needle- like points, especially in the joints, giving rise to the symptom of the painful gouty arthritis and other disease conditions like sciatica, neuritis and sometime weakness of the liver.

When taking regularly as decoction or infusion, corn silk eases the pains and discomforts associated with these conditions. This is so because the herb combines analgesic, anti-inflammatory, litholytic and lymphatic system cleansing properties in one. Apart from soothing the pains of inflammation, corn silk helps in removing excess uric acids and other toxins from the blood.

In these conditions, corn silk combines well with:

• Lemon / Garlic Juice.
• Pineapple /pawpaw mixture.
• Pepperomia salad or decoction.
• Infusion of common club moss.
• Infusion of horsetail and Swedish bitters.