corn silk

Sweet corn, Zea mays, is a seasonal pleasure for us and these days we buy it at the farmers' market. I don't want to spend my time (life) outsmarting, as if that's possible, wildlife for corn. Whenever I prepare it, the corn silk is set aside to dry for a nice diuretic tea. Or sometimes I snack on its sweetness while I make the rest of our dinner.

On a corn plant, the male tassel is the bloom and the female corn silk is the stigma and style. Potential kernels, each with their own strand of silk, are the ovaries and a developed kernel is an embryo. Corn silk is the part used most often medicinally; it makes a nice-tasting diuretic and also a soothing treatment for urinary problems.  Feeling sort of bloated, I made myself a cup of hot corn silk tea this morning and refrigerated a little bit of it to have later on -- it's one of those that's so mild, it's good hot or cold.

Was reading recently about corn in flower essence form and learned some practical applications for an esoteric remedy . . . a corn flower essence helps us to establish and maintain a connection with the earth, especially when living in crowded conditions like an urban area, high density housing, prisons, and refugee camps. It's good for animals, too, who've been confined and need to adjust to a more open space. Sounds perfect for newly-adopted pets.

Corn silk tea: Pour a cup of boiling water over 1 tablespoon dried corn silk. Cover and steep 10-15 minutes. Strain or lift out strands and drink hot or cold.

Also posted at Food Renegade.