What is corn silk tea good for?

Corn silk tea is an herbal remedy that has been used by traditional Chinese medicine and Native American medicine, and it is still utilized not only in Mexico but also in the United States, China, France, and Turkey, for example.This home remedy has been used for chest pain (angina), high blood pressure, to prevent eye disorders that can lead to vision loss (glaucoma), for kidney conditions, and many other diseases, although it is worth mentioning that there is still insufficient scientific evidence to support these uses.Corn Silk Tea: Uses and BenefitsCorn silk, also known as maize silk, is the thread-like plant material that grows beneath the husk of a fresh corn cob. For the cob, these thin, shiny fibers assist in pollination and corn growth.Regarding its uses as a traditional medicine remedy, corn silk contains plant compounds that may be responsible for various health effects, such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It also contains chemicals that could act as diuretics and may alter blood sugar levels and help reduce inflammation.In traditional Chinese medicine and Native American medicine, it is used to treat issues including prostate conditions, malaria, urinary tract infections, and heart diseases.On the other hand, recent research has found that corn silk may also help reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and inflammation. While it can be used fresh, it is most commonly dried before being consumed as tea or extract. It can also be taken as a pill.Although studies on corn silk supplements or tea usage are still limited, existing research indicates it may have benefits for certain types of inflammatory conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.Antioxidant Benefits of Corn Silk TeaCorn silk is a naturally rich source of flavonoid antioxidants; these compounds may be responsible for many of the benefits of corn silk. Antioxidants are plant compounds that protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is one of the leading causes of a range of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and inflammation. Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Corn Silk TeaInflammation is a natural immune response of the body; however, excessive inflammation is linked to a variety of diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.Test-tube and animal studies have found that corn silk extract may reduce inflammation by suppressing the activity of two major inflammatory compounds. This plant fiber also contains magnesium, which helps regulate the body's inflammatory response, which could assist with urinary tract infections, but human research is still needed.Blood Sugar ControlSome research indicates that corn silk may lower blood sugar and help control diabetes symptoms due to the flavonoids it contains; another study also revealed that antioxidants in this corn product may help prevent diabetic kidney disease; however, these results come from test-tube and animal studies, so human studies are needed.May Lower Blood PressureCorn silk tea may also help with high blood pressure as it promotes the elimination of excess fluid from the body. As such, it could be a natural alternative to prescribed diuretics used to lower blood pressure.May Reduce CholesterolFinally, corn silk may also reduce cholesterol, and an animal study found that mice receiving corn silk extract experienced significant reductions in total and LDL (bad) cholesterol along with increases in HDL (good) cholesterol; however, these studies also require human research.