Corn stigmas: useful properties and contraindications for use

Corn is an annual plant, widely cultivated all over the world. Its importance as a grain, technical and fodder culture is difficult to exaggerate. In many cholagogue herbal mixtures of folk medicine there are corn stigmas. This proven drug has been used for a long time.

Corn stigmas are the "hair" of cobs of yellow or reddish hue, which have a slight specific odor. Milky wax ripeness is a signal to start collecting medicinal raw materials. So, what is the use of corn stigmas?

Procurement of medicinal raw materials and its composition

Corn "hair" is collected by hand. At the same time, remove the wrapper from the cob and carefully separate the threads. Medicinal raw materials are dried in the open air, avoiding sunlight. Columns with stigmas are freely laid out on paper or cotton cloth. Carefully dried vegetable raw materials are stored in bags of natural tissue or wooden boxes, the bottom and walls of which are covered with paper. Shelf life of corn "hair" is 1 year. With longer storage, they lose their useful properties.

This substance contains vitamins C and K, essential and fatty oils, pantothenic acid, bitter and tannic substances, inositol, sugars, tannins and gum. Such a rich composition makes it possible to widely use corn stigmas. Useful properties and contraindications of this drug are well studied. Folk medicine primarily "hair" of corn is used as a diuretic and choleretic agent. Also, their hemostatic ability is valued, because the high content of vitamin K in the medicinal raw material significantly improves the coagulability of the blood. The "hair" of corn stimulates the production of bile, reduces its viscosity and contributes to the escape.

Corn stigmas: useful properties and contraindications

Diseases such as urolithiasis , nephritis, cholangitis, hepatitis and cholecystitis are successfully treated with drugs where corn stigmas are the main component. Thanks to a diuretic effect they are irreplaceable at elimination of urinary stones. The edemas of various etiologies are well treatable: both renal and caused by cardiovascular diseases. The benefits of corn stigmas are obvious, they are used for various inflammations of the urinary tract. Means on the basis of this plant raw material prevent stagnant phenomena and uncomfortable sensations of the patient.

A positive effect of infusion or a liquid extract in liver diseases is known. Long since corn stigmas, useful properties and contraindications to the use of which can be considered an excellent haemostatic agent, were prescribed for women's ailments.

Infusion is used in the people as a mild sedative, which improves the nervous system. The broth improves the mood and work of the brain, reduces irritability. Regular intake of infusion helps to overcome the increased appetite and normalize metabolism. This ability of the "hair" of corn makes it possible to use it in the fight against obesity, a decrease in metabolism.

With muscular rheumatism, digestion of stigmas will also noticeably ease the condition of the diseased. In Bulgaria, traditional medicine advises corn stigmas for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, worms. Long-term intake of infusion gradually destroys small stones in the ureters and bladder.

In folk medicine deservedly popular corn stigmas. Useful properties and contraindications to use confirm the high therapeutic value and safety of this plant with proper application. Do not use this raw material for people with reduced appetite and body weight. And also it is required to apply it with caution in case of a lack of potassium and magnesium, increased coagulability of blood. Treatment with a large number of stones should be under the supervision of a urologist.