The whiskers in the corn husk are used to transmit pollen. Corn is a hermaphroditic plant. Its pollen is blown by the wind and falls on the whiskers you mentioned to complete the pollination function (equivalent to animal sexual intercourse and fertilization).

Sometimes when the natural wind is low, people also use artificial pollination, which is to collect pollen and sprinkle it on these whiskers. Of course, there are also some enthusiastic animals in nature, such as bees, which can also help pollinate corn. Corn silk, the dried style of corn, is commonly known as corn beard.

It was a common traditional Chinese medicine in the past, but now it is rarely used. It is not available in pharmacies and traditional Chinese medicine hospitals.

In order not to lose the application of this very important antihypertensive and diuretic drug, I will briefly introduce corn silk.

Performance: sweet in taste, neutral in nature, diuretic and purgative, calming the liver and promoting gallbladder. Treat high blood pressure, difficulty urinating, nephritis, edema, jaundice and other diseases.

Ingredients: fatty oils, volatile oils, resins, gum-like substances, bitter glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, pantothenic acid, inositol, vitamins C, K, etc.

Pharmacological effects: antihypertensive, diuretic, choleretic, and hypoglycemic.

I will focus on the antihypertensive effect of corn silk.

The traditional collection of corn silk is to collect dry silk when corn is harvested after autumn. After many years of practice, I think it should be collected when green corn is on the market. Corn silk picked from green corn The active ingredients are very high, 2 to 3 times those collected after autumn. Nowadays, it is very easy to collect the corn silk when green corn is on the market. After collecting, spread it out to dry.

The antihypertensive effect of green corn silk is very strong and can last for more than 10 hours. Taking the medicine twice a day can steadily maintain blood pressure at a low level.

Usage: Wash the dried green corn silk with water, add water to a casserole and boil for 15 minutes. Take two doses on an empty stomach.

Dosage: 5 to 15 grams per day.

Note: The antihypertensive effect of corn silk is strong and rapid, so start with a low dose. To prevent blood pressure from falling too low and causing accidents, the heartbeat will speed up and blood pressure will drop after taking corn silk water. People with a heartbeat of more than 80 per minute should use less, and those with a heartbeat of more than 100 per minute should not use it. If your heartbeat exceeds 100 beats per minute or you have premature beats after taking it, it means overdose. It is contraindicated in patients with bile reflux.