What is the purpose of corn silk?
The stamens–or female part–of the corn plant are called corn silk. Found at the top of the corn plant, corn silk has a biological purpose as well as medicinal uses.Biological PurposeAccording to the University of Illinois Extension Service, each thread of corn silk is a long, thin tube that allows pollen caught in the wind to fertilize the corn plant. Each thread of silk forms one kernel of corn.Medicinal PurposeThe Monterey Bay Spice Company reports that corn silk contains many vitamins and chemical compounds that make it ideal as a natural remedy. Its high concentration of potassium makes it an ideal diuretic.Active CompoundsCorn silk contains high levels of Vitamin C and potassium, as well as allantoin, sterols and saponins, according to the Monterey Bay Spice Company. These natural chemicals help the body absorb nutrients or release excess fluid from cells.ConditionsAn article in Nutrition and Metabolism, a nutrition science journal, reports that corn silk has a positive effect o
