Zea mays

Zea mays
Family:Zea mays; Cancer; Cholagogue; Demulcent; Diuretic; Hypoglycaemic; Hypotensive; Lithontripic; Stimulant; Vasodilator; Warts.
Common name:Sweet corn
A decoction of the leaves and roots is used in the treatment of strangury dysuria and gravel. The corn silks are cholagogue demulcent diuretic lithontripic mildly stimulant and vasodilator. They also act to reduce blood sugar levels and so are used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus as well as cystitis gonorrhoea gout etc. The silks are harvested before pollination occurs and are best used when fresh because they tend to lose their diuretic effect when stored and also become purgative. A decoction of the cob is used in the treatment of nose bleeds and menorrhagia. The seed is diuretic and a mild stimulant. It is a good emollient poultice for ulcers swellings and rheumatic pains and is widely used in the treatment of cancer tumours and warts. It contains the cell-proliferant and wound-healing substance allantoin which is widely used in herbal medicine (especially from the herb comfrey Symphytum officinale) to speed the healing process. The plant is said to have anticancer properties and is experimentally hypoglycaemic and hypotensive.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 06:53 []