Drinking corn silk tea is an ancient tradition that has a number of health benefits that can be enjoyed to this day.
What is Corn Silk Tea?
Corn silk tea is a specialty tea made by steeping corn silk – the delicate strands that are found on ears of corn. These wispy golden strands are usually ignored or discarded with the corn husk, but they can also be used to brew a powerful tea. Believed to have been first used by the Mayan and Aztec cultures, evidence points to this tea being in use for more than 6,000 years. Modern research has discovered that this corn silk does, in fact, contain a number of beneficial nutrients and the tea has very few negative side effects. Due to the simplicity of the ingredients, this tea is easy to make and can have a measurable impact on your health, thanks to its rich supply of potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K, and other active ingredients. [1]
Corn Silk Tea Benefits
The most important corn silk tea benefits include its effects on diabetes, inflammation caused by gout or arthritis, toxicity in the body, kidney disorders, heart health and blood pressure, and digestive issues, among others.
Diabetes
Studies have found that this infused tea is able to elevate insulin levels, which can help to keep blood sugar levels under control. This is beneficial for people with diabetes who need to avoid major fluctuations in their blood sugar throughout the day. [2]
Inflammation
Due to the active ingredients found in this tea, it can reduce inflammation in certain parts of the body, such as the joints and extremities, making it an excellent tonic for both gout and arthritis, both of which have been treated by this tea throughout history. [3]
Cornsilk tea is a caffeine-free beverage. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Toxicity
This tea has a major diuretic effect on the body, which means that it stimulates urination. This can help to flush out excess toxins from the body and cleanse the kidneys, making this a great kidney health booster. [4]
Digestion
Some of the compounds found in corn silk tea can stimulate the release of digestive enzymes and bile, making the digestion process more efficient and improving our nutrient uptake. [5]
Heart Health
The diuretic nature of this tea makes it dangerous for people with low blood pressure, as too much potassium may be lost, but other ingredients can improve the integrity of your cardiovascular system and lower your risk of disease. [6]
How to Make Corn Silk Tea?
As mentioned, preparing your own corn silk tea at home is quite simple, and only requires a handful of dried corn silk. Let’s take a look at the recipe below.
Corn Silk Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups of water
- 2 tbsp of dried corn silk
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- To make corn silk tea, add 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of dried corn silk in a saucepan.
- Bring the mixture up to a boil and then reduce heat to a low simmer.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Once done, turn the heat down and let the tea steep for another 30 minutes. You can add a teaspoon of honey if you wish to add a sweetener. Now, strain the tea using a strainer and serve the infusion warm! Enjoy!
Corn Silk Tea Side Effects
There are some side effects to this tea that should be considered, although negative reactions are rare, particularly if you consume this tea in moderation. If you have low or high blood pressure or problems with your potassium levels, this tea could exacerbate these issues, due to its diuretic nature. Furthermore, it can negatively interact with other prescription medications you may be taking, as it can induce urination and eliminate the medication too rapidly.
