Medicinal And Culinary Uses For Corn Silk

Corn silk may now be associated with a healthy lifestyle and medicinal benefit, but, as an adolescent, my memories of the use of corn silk was as a cigarette alternative.  I have been told tales of those people in the Dirty Thirties who regularly rolled dried corn silk into cigarette papers, since tobacco was prohibitively expensive.  While I do not recommend this practice today, the anecdote illustrates that desperate people use creative tactics to achieve an end!

Corn silk, ironically, has significant medicinal benefit and use, unlike tobacco.  It is used to treat cystitis, prostatitis and urethritis, and has a long history in the treatment of bedwetting,  kidney stones, jaundice  and oedema. Studies have found that it reduces blood clotting time and blood pressure.  As a gentle treatment for gout, it rivals the effectiveness of cherries.  (As a gout sufferer, I can attest to the effectiveness of both.)

Rich in Vitamin K, it is a good diuretic, eliminating fluids but not decreasing the body's potassium.  Since it contains significant potassium, whatever is lost through the diuretic effect of the corn silk is more than offset but its input levels.

While the most popular method of consuming corn silk is to make a tea or infusion by steeping a handful of fresh or dried silk in two cups of boiled water, there is a wealth of other options for using this valuable grass in recipes.

I dry corn silk (preferably in open air, as opposed to a dehydrator), then crumble a small handful over my cereal, similar to sprinkling flax seed over cereals.  It has a
slightly sweet and nutty taste.  In early summer, I harvest the silk fresh, chop it fine, and use it in salads.  I have found that the full silk is quite stringy, unless chopped.  In soups, I use
chopped silk along with cream corn and finely chopped potatoes, parsley, a little tarragon, pepper, chopped onions and cayenne.  On occasion, I will toss in chopped zucchini or pumpkin and a little pumpkin spice as an alternative.  Dried & crushed corn silk also works well in breading for chicken and pork chops.

Ideally, the silk should be harvested  just prior to the ears forming, so that the pollen is captured, as well.  Because of its high moisture content, do not store in plastic, and dry any silk that you will not be using immediately.  To dry corn silk, spread it thinly on a fibreglass screen in an area without direct sunlight, but moderate air movement.  In a dehydrator, corn silk tends to clump.

There have been no significant reports of side effects regarding the consumption of corn silk. 
However, as in all foods and medicines, moderation is recommended.

 

About the Author

Among other interests,
Robert Lee is a writer who focuses on ethical considerations in business and living life simply.  He is the author of six books, including The Last Drop of Living, A Minimalist's Guide to Living The High Life On A Low Budget; Growing Rural Business and Wild People I Have
Known.  His blogs include http://eatingwild.blogspot.com, as well as blogs on minimal living, living in a yurt and  eco-innovations.

A Rose, By Any Other Name -- Would Be Just As Beneficial To You

The wild rose may be the provincial flower of Alberta, but it is found across almost all of the Midwest and western parts of North America.  Its pale pink to bright mauve flowers are one of the earliest summer blooms, and one of the most enduring sights throughout June, July and August, giving way only to the red blush of rose hip bulbs in late summer and early fall.  The fragrance of these sweet roses draws insects, birds and humans alike.  Yet, the wild rose grows predominantly in marginal soils and headlands or bush tree lines, and offer branches with irritating small prickly thorns.

Aside form its appeal as a flower and summer braggart, the rose is a great find for the avid wild harvester, with its flower petals and rose hips providing great medicinal, nutritional and cosmetic benefit.

Last year, for example, I crushed a pound of petals and make an infusion, then blended the alcohol-based scented mix with gelatine. My wife enjoyed this homemade soap, finding it a wonderful skin stimulant, an aromatic cleanser and a great boost to her complexion. 

Because it is a "dry" oil, the skin soaks it up quickly.  Being naturally antiseptic, it is great for irritated skin and even for treatment of mild scar tissue.  Unfortunately, unless frozen, rose petals so not store well, and will quickly turn rancid in heat.

Of course, rose petals make a wonderful potpourri when dried, using a dehydrator.  Sun-drying squeezes all of the colour from rose petals, rendering them quite unattractive.

Rose hips make a wonderful tea, or a great spice or supplement to some meats.

To make rose hip tea, grind the dried hips in a small coffee bean grinder, then make an infusion by steeping for ten minutes in boiled water.  To eliminate the unpleasant ground and remnants, use a cheesecloth bag (available at craft stores).  Tea balls do not filter enough of the fine seed within the rose hip.  To dry the hips, place in full sun on a screen for several days, or use a dehydrator for 10-12 hours.  They will keep for over a year in a plastic sealed container!

Nutritionally, rose hips are an excellent source of Vitamin C. They can be used fresh or dried, and even preserved or made into a jelly, jam or sauce. Rose hips go well with wild meats, add great taste to stews or soups, and can even be made into pies (although I recommend using only ¼-1/3 rose hips with other berries).

Medicinally, rose hips are used by those suffering with joint pain, osteoarthritis, kidney or bladder infections and even diarrhea.  Rose hips are used to treat cardiovascular disease, and contain known anticarcinogens.

Because roses grow so abundantly, they, like other common wild plants such as dandelion and cattails, frequently are overlooked as a great natural remedy or food source, yet offer year-round relief and nourishment.  The rose hips, unless captured by scavenging birds, often will be found in early spring, having overwintered the harshest conditions and deepest snows.  Anything that tough must, it seems, be good for you!

About the Author

Among other interests, Robert Lee is a writer who focuses on ethical considerations in business and living life simply.  He is the author of six books, including The Last Drop of Living, A Minimalist's Guide to Living The High Life On A Low Budget; Growing Rural Business and Wild People I Have Known.  His blogs include http://eatingwild.blogspot.com  and http://movingtoayurt.blogspot.com, as well as blogs on minimal living and harvesting wild plants.