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a hand holding a cup of corn silk tea
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4.34 from 3 votes

How to Make Corn Silk Tea

This sweet and fragrant Corn Silk Tea is a 1-ingredient drink that takes five minutes and is a great (and delicious) way to reduce food waste. It has amazing medicinal properties and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years!
Author: Remy

Ingredients

  • 3 cups filtered water
  • corn silk of 3-4 corn cobs
  • optional
  • touch of maple syrup to taste
  • toasted rice
  • roasted corn
  • other tea leaves

Instructions

  • Remove the corn silk from your corn husk and trim off any dead or exposed ends.
  • If you'd like to dry your corn silk out, spread it out on a tray and let sit in the sun until dry to the touch. This step is optional but you can save dry corn silk for future tea!
  • When ready to brew, add corn silk into a mug directly or large bowl and pour hot water over it. Let steep for 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can add water and the silk to a pot and boil for 5-8 minutes.
  • Strain and enjoy iced or hot!

Notes

Potential Health Benefits

This tea is traditionally used in Chinese and Native American medicine as an excellent natural treatment for urinary tract infections. It's a mild diuretic and can also aid digestion. Plus, it's totally caffeine-free!
It’s made from the stigmas or the silky strands of the corn plant. Corn silk refers to the long thread-like fibers that grow from the tops of corn ears. 
In addition to Chinese medicine, this tea has been used in traditional medicine in many other cultures, such as by the Native Americans. It is believed to have several potential health benefits.
    1. Diuretic: It is believed to have diuretic effects, meaning it may promote urine production and help with water retention. This can be beneficial for reducing bloating and swelling and supporting kidney function.
    1. Urinary tract: It is believed to have a soothing effect on the urinary system and may help alleviate symptoms of urinary tract infections or bladder conditions and irritation.
    1. Blood sugar: Some studies suggest that corn silk may have hypoglycemic effects and could potentially help regulate blood sugar levels.
    1. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory: Corn silk contains various antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation in the body. This can have potential benefits for overall health and well-being.
    1. Digestive support: This tea is believed to have a soothing effect on the digestive system and may aid in relieving indigestion and stomachaches.
Note: Always check with your healthcare provider and take necessary precautions if you have any allergies, intolerances, or serious health concerns. 

More Ways to Use This Tea

You can do more than just drink it! The tea can be infused in hot water and used as a base for soups, broths, or sauces, adding a subtle flavor. 
Some people also use it as a natural dye for food or as an ingredient in herbal blends for desserts or beverages. 

Flavor Variations

To flavour your homemade tea, you can mix other teas, such as earl grey or Green tea. It's a mild flavour that's easy to cover!