How to Use Corn Silk for Water Retention

The term "corn silk" refers to the threadlike strands that protrude from the end of an ear of corn. Its purpose it to catch pollen that floats in the air and fertilize the corn. Corn silk intended for medicinal use is harvested from the ripe ear of corn in the summer and separated carefully from the cob. Corn silk has long been used as a medicinal herb to strengthen the kidneys and urinary system and to help lower both blood pressure and blood sugar levels. According to information from the on-line publication Nutritional Wellness, corn silk is also an effective diuretic and can be helpful in relieving water retention, also called edema.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh or dried corn silk
• Boiling water
• Tea pot
• Corn silk capsules

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Drink a cup or two of corn silk tea everyday until the water retention is relieved. For exact dosages, you may prefer to consult a health care professional such as an herbalist; however, the American Herbal Products Association rates corn silk as a very safe substance to consume. To make corn silk tea, place 1/4 cup of fresh silk or 2 tsps. of dried material into a tea pot. Boil water, and pour approximately 1 cup of boiling water into the pot. Cover and steep the corn silk for 5 minutes. Strain the liquid, and drink. Corn silk tea has a naturally light, sweet taste that most people enjoy.

• 2

  Use corn silk capsules as a daily supplement, according the the manufacturers directions. Different products will contain differing amounts of active ingredients and some may contain fillers, so read the label carefully when choosing a packaged product and follow its dosage directions.

• 3

  Continue occasional use of corn silk even when the water retention has been relieved. If edema is a re-occuring problem, a weekly dosage of corn silk, such as a cup of tea, may help in preventing acute flair ups.