Inside the case that holds my eyeglasses is a small cloth designed specifically for buffing the lenses clean. I am notorious for wearing specs full of thumbprints and other smudges and frankly, once I’ve been wearing them, I don’t even notice it.
Sometimes it’s a bit the same for my digestive system. I’ve been running hard for a couple of weeks with lots of travel, meals out and a few glasses of wine. Without realizing it, my entire system is smudged or at least sluggish and could do with a good cleansing. There’s so much written about cleansing and the value of it to “reset” one’s system. If it were as easy as it is for my glasses, I’d simply pull out the cloth and work them over. One source on the internet says that silk is the best cloth to use.
I don’t know if that’s true as I’m fairly certain that the cloth I’ve been using is a synthetic variety. However, in order to get my body back into alignment, I think silk might be one source. For an easy summer refreshment that has detoxification benefits, consider making corn silk tea. Corn silk is almost always removed and discarded when making corn on the cob. Hence, this idea not only provides a benefit but also reduces food waste.
The corn silk is rumored to have numerous benefits. For me, the most promising is that of diuretic when searing summer temps create kankles. There appears to be volumes of legend on the perks of ingesting corn silk. In order to separate fact and fiction, I looked to the medical warnings regarding interactions.
- It is a diuretic and may interact with other medications taken for conditions requiring diuretics.
- Corn silk may decrease blood sugar and hence, those taking diabetes medications that also reduce blood sugar should be cautious.
- Substantial amounts of corn silk appear to reduce high blood pressure. Therefore, if you are taking blood pressure medication already, you may want to consider the effects of this tea.
- Corn silk is rich in vitamin K. Therefore, if you are taking medication that influences clotting, it would be best to understand the interactions.
Fortunately, I am not taking any medication that has a known interaction with Corn Silk and therefore, experiencing the diuretic benefits together with decreased blood sugar, blood pressure and more vitamin K, is something I’m up for. In reality, I could probably just eat the silk to receive the same benefits.
Corn Silk Tea
Happily giving credit where it is due but I’ve had this for so long that I honestly don’t know where it came from.
Serves 3
- Silk from 1 or 2 ears of corn (brown parts removed)
- 3 cups of water
Bring the water to boil. Add the silks and allow to continue boiling for 5 more minutes. Drain and serve immediately if you prefer hot tea. Otherwise, let it cool and pour over ice it for a great cold drink.
How do you use other by-products of your produce?
Agrigirl's Blog 
hotlyspiced
/ June 18, 2013I have eaten the odd bit of corn silk that is stuck to the corn cob but I didn’t know you could actually save all your corn silk, cook it and eat it and that it has so many nutritional benefits. I’ll have to try eating a bowl of this! xx
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013I think you can probably just eat it straight off the ear and get the same benefit.
Auburn Meadow Farm
/ June 18, 2013Good one – I’m all about nose to tail veggies :). Sounds like useful stuff – I had no idea.
I’ve never heard the word kankle, but I like it… I’ll probably be using it several times today, all incorrectly, lol
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013I wish I never needed to use the word kankle!
nancy at good food matters
/ June 18, 2013I had no idea! thanks for this valuable tip. seems like the water in which the (poorly de-silked) corn boils would have similar value.
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013I think you’re right Nancy.
herbanlifestyle
/ June 18, 2013That’s fascinating, Tammy! I’ve never heard of that use for corn silk. I will give it a try. When I was a child, my friends and I made dolls from the husks and used the silk for the hair 🙂
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013It’s nice to not waste it, isn’t it?
cindyricksgers
/ June 18, 2013Oh, this sounds lovely! I’ll definitely try it. Thank you!
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013When you do, share it with others.
Lisa H
/ June 18, 2013Never heard of corn silk tea! I am definitely going to give it a try (farmer’s market tomorrow with fresh corn!!) I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure, so I look forward to testing out the tea.
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013Tell me what you think.
Lisa H
/ June 30, 2013I definitely preferred it chilled over ice. It was refreshing, but not something I’d drink all the time. It was a great try, though, and something I would certainly prepare again.
Renee
/ June 18, 2013I learned something new today! Thanks, Tammy!
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013I am to enhance our awareness!
faithanncolburn
/ June 18, 2013I like to grill corn on the cob. I open the husks and remove most of the silk, then pull the husks back over the ear and grill it all together. I like the heightened corn flavor I get from the husks. I think that’s why tamales are wrapped in husks. I’ll have to try the silk tea.
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013I never thought about the flavor of the husks in tamales but you’re probably right.
faithanncolburn
/ June 19, 2013It may be the placebo effect, but I fancy I can taste a stronger flavor with than without them.
nrhatch
/ June 18, 2013Never heard of corn silk tea. Or its many health benefits.
Does it taste good?
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013It tastes like corn silk. I don’t mind that taste. Do I think it’s delicious? No.
adelewayah
/ June 18, 2013but how does it taste?
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013It tastes like corn silk. I don’t mind that taste. Do I think it’s delicious? No.
researchingsandiego
/ June 18, 2013I’ll add my voice the chorus of surprised readers. This actually sounds quite nice – and like it would taste of summer. Corn is back on my menu next week (thank goodness) – I’ll definitely be trying this out!
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013Calling it a taste of summer is rather fitting.
yummychunklet
/ June 18, 2013Never thought to put this in tea!
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013It’s not a common thing to do but certainly a beneficial one.
Rukmini Roy
/ June 18, 2013Oh my God! Tammy! And all these years I was giving it to my rabbit.
Im definitely making these. I think somewhere Im very much like you. I wear thumbprint smeared glasses too and don’t think there’s anything wrong! 🙂 And lately I have been falling ill quite frequently- blame outside food and wine. I definitely need system cleaning.
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013I love to start the day with lemon juice and cayenne. I sweeten it with a little stevia. It helps.
SidevieW
/ June 19, 2013Are you aware pf the fact that a lo of corn is now the genetically modified variety. No one yet knows the long term risks.
Tammy
/ June 19, 2013I’m very aware. I should have mentioned that this corn is non-GMO and that’s the type that I feed my family. But you’re absolutely correct, almost all corn is GMO at this point.
SidevieW
/ June 19, 2013well done to you. We seem to have no say, almost all ours is GM and it is a staple for the poor. So worrying where this will lead to in terms of health care over the next generation
Debbie
/ June 19, 2013You always bless me and teach me, Tammy! Thank you for showing yet another idea on using for my good what I just throw away!
Tammy
/ June 23, 2013If it doesn’t interact with any of the things that I’ve mentioned, then I think it’s a good use of a corn by-product.
Tandy
/ June 19, 2013This is fantastic! We used to always buy corn cobs with the silk and husk intact when we were kids, but I seldom see them like this now 🙂
Tammy
/ June 23, 2013Really? Interesting. Wonder what they do with it?
rosemaryandrock
/ June 20, 2013Interesting! I was more excited before I heard the description of the taste, but still cool! Don’t have them anymore, but when we had chickens all food scraps like this would go to the little omnivores.
Tammy
/ June 23, 2013Chickens really do help obliterate food waste.
nats1mom
/ June 20, 2013Wow! Had no idea you could boil the corn silk for use as a cleansing tool! I compost or cook veggie parts for a veggie broth. This is definitely on my list “to try.” Love your posts, always informative!
Tammy
/ June 23, 2013Thanks Nats1mom. Let me know what you think when you do try it.
authorjaneward
/ June 21, 2013It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the world *kankles* in print – thanks for making me smile!
Tammy
/ June 23, 2013I sure wish I had no reason to write it.
Kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts
/ June 22, 2013Tammy,
My son can live with his smudged glasses much easier than I can live with his smudged glasses . . .
But corn silk tea–that’s a new one for me, and one that I will try. Thanks for yet another post to share on my FB page (your 8 ways with lettuce was already up there). This is a great idea.
Tammy
/ June 23, 2013And I can live with mine easier than my husband can.
Kath
/ June 23, 2013I’ve never heard about using corn silk before! 😀 I hope the tea helps you to feel better!
Tammy
/ June 23, 2013Keep it in your tool kit Kath.
Beth
/ June 23, 2013That’s an interesting idea – I never would have thought to make tea out of corn silk. Since you said that you don’t think it’s particularly delicious, do you think that adding some honey to it would help the taste?
Tammy
/ June 23, 2013I’m not much for sweet drinks but yes, it would help. The taste isn’t bad really.
kateshrewsday
/ June 23, 2013I have never heard of this, Tammy. I love the idea of gicing the digestive system a clean out. Great plan.
Tammy
/ June 25, 2013And after my big food week, I must do it again!
I WIlkerson
/ June 23, 2013How interesting! Our corn won’t be ready for a bit yet, but I’ll have to try the tea! I am planning to eat radish greens for the first time this year!
Tammy
/ June 25, 2013They make a terrific pesto.
The Novice Gardener
/ June 24, 2013I saw a lady collecting corn silk from the waste bin provided in the store near the corn stand. I thought she was nuts, shame on me! She was definitely onto something I was totally ignorant of. Thanks for the info!
Tammy
/ June 25, 2013Yes, that might have been the case. Unfortunately at the store, most of the corn is GMO (actually – some do not find this unfortunate). The corn in this post is a non-GMO variety grown with heritage seeds from my CSA.
inherchucks
/ June 26, 2013Wow! I had no idea 🙂 Thanks for sharing! And as always, thanks for linking up.
Tammy
/ June 26, 2013And thank you for always providing a forum to do so.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
/ June 27, 2013Wow, awesome idea. I always compost our garden corn silks, but now i have something else to do with them!
Tammy
/ June 29, 2013it’s a great little trick.
Sophie33
/ July 3, 2013What a great & very useful post & a lot of info that I gathered now!
Tammy
/ July 3, 2013Let me know if you try it out Sophie.
Bunny Eats Design
/ July 10, 2013We have a rabbit that goes absolutely crazy for corn silk. It’s amazing to see a ball of silk disappear in seconds into that tiny mouth.
Promenade Claire
/ July 12, 2013There’s a use for everything isn’t there, and I’ve learnt something new today about Corn silk. Thanks for the info