Corn awns

The long, shiny fibers on the upper side of corn cobs are called corn a wns. Corn awns are used as medicine.

Cornawns are used for bladder infections, inflammation of the urinary tract, inflammation of the prostate, kidney stones and bedwetting. They are also used to treat heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, fatigue and high cholesterol levels.

How do corn awns work?

Cornawns contain proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber. They also contain chemicals that could act as diuretics, alter blood sugar levels and help reduce inflammation.

How effective are corn awns?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the efficacy of corn nuts for bladder infections, bedwetting, inflammation of the prostate, inflammation of the urinary tract, kidney stones, heart failure, diabetes, fatigue, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of corn stigmas in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Corngrits appear to be safe and harmless for most people.

However, cornsunchokes can lower blood potassium levels and cause skin rashes, itching and allergies.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Corn grits are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women in the amounts normally found in food. However, in larger amounts, corn gluten is not safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding as it can stimulate the uterus and cause miscarriages. Not enough is known about the safety of using maize awns while breastfeeding.

Diabetes: There are concerns that large amounts of corn gluten may lower blood sugar levels. This could affect blood sugar control in diabetics.

High or low blood pressure: Large amounts of maize awns could affect the control of high and low blood pressure.

Low blood potassium levels: Large amounts of maize awns could further lower blood potassium levels.

Corn allergy: Applying lotions containing corn gluten may cause skin rashes, redness and itching in people who are allergic to corn.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining corn oil with the following medications:

Diabetes medications

Maizeawns could lower blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking corn gluten in combination with diabetes medication could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood glucose levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Medication for high blood pressure

Large amounts of corn grits appear to lower blood pressure. Taking casein peptides in combination with high blood pressure medication could result in an excessive drop in blood pressure.

Anti-inflammatory drugs (corticosteroids)

Some anti-inflammatory drugs can lower potassium levels in the body. Corn kernels can also lower potassium levels in the body. Taking corn gluten in combination with some anti-inflammatory drugs could lower potassium levels in the body too much.

Diuretics

Maizeawns appear to have a similar effect to diuretics. Corn stigmas and diuretics can increase potassium excretion by the body. A combination of maize awns with diuretics could reduce potassium levels in the body too much.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of corn gluten depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for corn gluten. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

1. Hasanudin K, Hashim P, Mustafa S. Corn silk (Stigma maydis) in healthcare: a phytochemical and pharmacological review. Molecules 2012;17:9697-715.