Cornsilk / Corn Silk, Prep & Dose

The Maize ‘tassels’ (strictly speaking, the stigmas of the female flowers) are harvested commercially before the corn-seed has ripened, but as a domestic garden vegetable one is growing the plant primarily for ‘corn-on-the-cob’. Just as the corn ripens in late summer, the wrapping can be carefully opened just enough to gently tease off the tassels. Do this before the ends become so browned off they start to wither – but beware, opening the cobs too early gives ants and other interested parties access to the delicious contents whilst ripening is still awaited. Macerate immediately and the tassels will require no further comminution.

The ideal preparation is an infusion of the fresh styles picked when the Corn is in milk. The best alternative is the tincture made from these.

Infusion: 2 teaspoons per cup of water.

Tincture: 20 gm dried herb to 100 ml of 20% alcohol (leave to stand for 5 days); Fresh corn silk (1:2, 95% alcohol) ; 3-5 ml up to 3 times a day. Alternatively 1:3 25%, 14 days for the polysaccharides and flavonoids . Use 50% if you want more of the volatile alkaloids.

Capsule: 1,000-3,000 mg up to 3 times daily

Dose:Standard doses and much more may safely be used indefinitely.

Bedwetting:

1 cup of tea before bed

Weight Reduction

Combine with lemon balm