#Maize (Corn) and its #ayurveda- medicinal uses...

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Next topic for discussion: #Maize (Corn) and its #ayurveda- medicinal uses...

Vd. Tanuja Gokhale: Maize is grown across the world. It's native produce of Mexico n South America. But, almost 90% of world produce is GMO n is linked with glyphosate n its side-effects. So I humbly feel that the medicinal uses of traditional species can be discussed for sure.

Ayulink: Thnx for yr input. In india, for majority of people - our patients,  maize is a daily food substance. We have not much details available from the books abt maize. Here it is more appropriate to discuss and share hidden knowledge and other information, where it can be useful in our practice. Thnx

Dr. Shruthi Arun: http://healthylifestylebase.com/shocking-health-benefits-corn-silk-didnt-know-must-know-2/

Ayulink: That's interesting article on corn silk.

Vd. Vidhi Joshi: Corn is useful in various dz conditions : its hving thiamine which regulate carbohydrate metabolism n also help to reduce cholesterol , incase of constipation , UTI,  nephritis, cystitis and prostatitis

Corn contains high potassium so it works as diuretic so its benificial in case of renal stone as well as ARF & CRF ( it cause reduce water retention - commonly found swelling of lower limb in CRF pt)

Also useful in incontinence & any type of urinary discomfort

Cornsilk tea purify skin texture & dried cornsilk powder is useful in blood clotting, weight loss management .

Dr. Pravin Tirmare: Maize is absolutely man made crop so there was no information in ancient text

Dr Feroz Khan: Corn silk useful in kidney and bladder stone.its decoction.

Vd. Tanuja Gokhale: Corn silk mashi or kshar is useful in Prostate enlargement.

Shri Minoo parabia: In fact all crops are living fossils. You don't find them any more in wilderness. Escapes are different.

Maize (Zea mays) as said before is originated in Mexico. History says in eastern India maize relatives did exist. It is called Teosinte.

Throughout Himalaya Maize is the staple food.

This cereal is very reach in starch and protein both. Pure starch called corn flour is the most used food additive next to sugar.

Dr. Hemlata Negi: After eating maize .the remnants left is prepared as massi ..and can be used in sushk Kas.dry cough

Dr. J. T. Contractor: Maize (corn) starch is used as an additive in almost all vitamins & medicines packed in capsule,

It is used to extract vegetable gelatin for tablet binder, its colorized to coat pills & tablets, protein made from maize is used as an additive in protein & baby foods

Ayulink: Any practical uses (in real patient, real life - may be from folk medicine) is also welcome

Dr. Bhavesh Modh:

Dr. Bhavesh Modh: Sorce : Wikipedia

Dr. J. T. Contractor: Corn oil extract is low cholesterol good for Heath if done organically without process

Dr Dinesh Kacha: Any one suggest me health benifits of sorbitol which is corn derivet ?

Dr. J. T. Contractor: An unknown fact to share the experience that pet dog when given maize flour roti, couldn't digest! It fell sick for couple of days it did not take any food or milk!

Dr. Bhavesh Modh: Sorbitol is a polyol (sugar alcohol) that is used as a sweetening agent in various food products, including:

Sugar-free sweetsFrozen dessertsBaked goods andChewing gum.

It has 60% of the sweetness of sucrose, with one-third fewer calories, and leaves a sweet, cool and pleasant taste.

As well as providing bulk and sweetness, it is an excellent humectant and texturising agent, it does not contribute towards dental caries and may be helpful to people with diabetes.

Sorbitol occurs naturally in various fruits and berries. First discovered in 1872, it is today commercially produced by the hydrogenation of glucose and is available in both liquid and crystalline form.

Benefits of Sorbitol

Sorbitol is useful in the production of confectionery, baked goods and chocolate where products tend to become dry or harden.

This is because it protects against loss of moisture content, unlike other polyols such as mannitol. Its moisture-stabilising properties, protects these products from drying and maintains their initial freshness during storage.

Sorbitol is also very stable. It can withstand high temperatures and does not participate in Maillard (browning) reactions. It works well with other food ingredients such as sugars, gelling agents, proteins and vegetable fats, and may be synergistic with other sweeteners.

Sorbitol is also regularly used in the formulation of oral care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash.

Helps protect against tooth decay

Like all polyols, sorbitol is non-cariogenic, meaning it is not metabolised by oral bacteria which break down sugars and starches to release acids that may lead to cavities or the erosion of tooth enamel.

This dental health benefit of sugar alcohols is recognised by various health groups/associations across the globe.

  Sorce:   diabetes. co.uk

Ayulink: Youngster eat a lot corn - boiled corn, cheese corn these days. Particularly in monsoon. Is it Advisable or not? For healthy youngsters?

Dr. Dipa Mehta: Today, most corn fields are grown as a mono-crop, depleting soils and requiring heavy use of pesticides. The inability of cultivated plants to survive without pesticide and fertilizer use is a testimony to their lack of vitality.

Score joyful belly. Com

Dr. Shruthi Arun: Pop corn is an healthy snack, it contains more fibers

Ayulink: Please let us know, how healthy it is. May be it is Vata aggravating so might be helpful to loose weight.

Dr. J. T. Contractor: Cornflakes Cooked taken with milk, uncooked taken fried

Ayulink: But it is very heavy to digest, I think so

Dr. Anjana Prakash: Charakasamhita sareerasthana 'khuddikaam garbhavakranthi sareera' in the context of Bharadvaja's objection to garbha as a rasaja bhava says that those who take koradusa(type of corn)should always b deprived of progeny..so unwholesome in conception

Vd. Khyati Jariwala: Corn inhibits vit B 12 absorption too

USA Dr. Archana Vardhan: Given its good fiber content, its ability to provide many B-complex vitamins including vitamins B1, B5 and folic acid, and its notable protein content (about 5-6 grams per cup), corn is a food that would be expected to provide blood sugar benefits. Fiber and protein are key macronutrients for stabilizing the passage of food through our digestive tract. Sufficient fiber and protein content in a food helps prevent too rapid or too slow digestion of that food. By evening out the pace of digestion, protein and fiber also help prevent too rapid or too slow uptake of sugar from the digestive tract up into the bloodstream. Once the uptake of sugar is steadied, it is easier to avoid sudden spikes or drops in blood sugar.

Consumption of corn in ordinary amounts of 1-2 cups has been shown to be associated with better blood sugar control in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels have been used to verify these blood sugar benefits. Interestingly, in elementary school-age and teenage youths already diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, whole grain cornbread has emerged in one study as the whole grain food with the highest acceptability among all whole grain foods. Youth participants in the study who consumed whole grain cornbread were also less likely to consume fast foods.

Ref..whfoods.org

Dr. Rammesh Natu: https://authoritynutrition.com/foods/corn/

 https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/cereal/health-benefits-of-corn.html

 normalmaizeproductiontechnologies.pdf • ‎29 pages <attached>

 http://agrifarming.in/maize-farming

Vd. Rupa Raval: Corn is not easy to digest, it aggravate vat and also mild pitta. I saw many people with corn allergies, either they have abdominal pain or dysentery after consuming corn.

Vd. Binal Jagani: Corn silk + water boil it and after filtration used it for drinking in whole day.it's good for in burning maturation and heamaturia...

In vomiting and hiccup corn cob mash (bhashm) taking with honey

USA Gary Yuen: Like with all foods, colored corn is better, higher in protein nutrients antioxidants etc. As red rice is more valued than brown and white, blue red and many colors are available where corn is still traditional. Misc in, B3, is less absorbable so all traditional people have processes to treat it before eating. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixtamalization

Traditionally, in many parts of the world, corn silk has been used as diuretic, antilithiasic, uricosuric, and antiseptic. It is used for the treatment of edema as well as for cystitis, gout, diabetes mellitus, kidney stones, nephritis, and prostatitis (Grases et al. 1993; Velazquez et al. 2005; Ebrahimzadeh et al. 2008). Corn kernel is considered to be diuretic and a mild stimulant (Grieve 1971). Corn is a good emollient poultice and is used for ulcers, wounds sore, swelling and rheumatic pains. An infusion of parched corn is taken for nausea and vomiting in many diseases. Stuart (2010) reported the following traditional folkloric uses In the Philippines, a decoction of fresh or dried stalk, cob as well as corn silk is used as a diuretic (Stuart 2010). Decoction of roots, leaves, and corn silk is used for dysuria, bladder complaints, and bedwetting. In China corn silk has been used for fluid retention and jaundice A decoction of pith of cob as tea is used for stomach complaints (Burkill 1966). In Europe corn silk is used for has been used for treating urinary and venereal diseases and in cardiac and renal dropsy. Young cob is known to be diuretic owing to[…]  - T. K. Lim. Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 5

Dr. Pritish Naik: Corn should me considered as Navanna..

Which Guru and major hetu of Prameha...

In Indian culture traditional corn is roasted i.e. bhutta ..no other known dishes of corn...

Same principle of Navanna is applicable to Hurda parties which also have them roasted.

 USA Gary Yuen: ... its potassium content and In Indonesia, the cob is used for kidney stones (Burkill 1966). Maize has been widely used in traditional African medicine (Burkill 1994). Urino-genital problems are treated with prescriptions based on the whole or parts of the maize plant, especially a decoction of the cornsilk, which is also used to treat jaundice. A maize leaf maceration is drunk to treat fever. Charcoal made from maize stalks is included in medicines to treat gonorrhoea; an infusion from the burnt cob is used to wash wounds. Maize spike heated with powdered leaves of Glossonema boveanum used to treat intestinal schistosomiasis in Mali (Bah et al. 2006). In Burundi, corn silk decoction is used as a diuretic and depurative, and macerated maize leaves used to treat fever (Baerts and Lehmann (1989). In Ghana, powdered corn and leaves used as poultice for boils and carbuncles (Agyare et al. 2009). In southwestern Nigeria, a decoction of the kernel and silk is used for management of diabetes mellitus (Abo et al. 2008). In Togo, carbonised and powdered corn silk is used for oedma and rash, and a decoction of the corn silk is used for hypertension (Adjanohoun et al. 1986). In Benin, corn silk used to treat convulsion, hepatic disorders, jaundice, and kernels also used for diarrhoea, dysentery and liver disorders (Adjanohoun et al. 1989). In Morocco, corn silk decoction is used as a diuretic and for kidney ailments (Bellakhdar 1997). In the Errachidia province of Morocco, dried, roasted kernels used to treat hypertension Tahraoui et al. 2007) and the stalk for renal diseases in Fez-Boulemane, Morocco (Jouad et al. 2001). In Uganda, maize stalk ashes are applied to the gums to treat tooth caries (Tabuti et al. 2003). In Burkina-Faso, decotion of corn flowers and slat is used as a mouth wash for tooth-ache (Tapsoba and Deschamps 2006). In Kenya, the sap from boiled kernels is applied externally for skin diseases (Njoroge and Bussmann 2007). In Nigeria, corn silk is used for treating measles (Kayode et al. 2008) and a towel dip in a decoction of corn cob is applied to bleeding nose (Ogie-Odia and Oluowo 2009).

« Energetics: Sweet/hot/sweet K- VP+ in excess

Action: Diuretic

Indications: Edema, kidney and gallstones, jaundice (corn silk especially), nutritive, liver, kidneys, spleen absorption, solar energy increases perception (especially with ghee). »

The Ayurveda Encyclopedia.

It may be difficult to distinguish between traditional medicine uses and modern use and modern maize in some countries has been bred to be only yellow and excessively sweet.

Dr. Ujwala Said: Corn type of grain recommended during spring nourishes plasma helps to reduce water retention and blood pressure good for kapha type popcorn s dryness absorbs excess fluid

USA Gary Yuen: From a book on Chinese medicine:

Thermal nature: Neutral

Flavor: Sweet

Organ network: Kidney, large intestine, stomach

Phase: Earth

Effect: Supplements center burner, kidneys, qi, and blood; balances body fluids, harmonizes stomach, strengthens diuresis (production and elimination of urine)

Indications:

Center burner vacuity: Lack of appetite, indigestion, diarrhea Kidney yin vacuity: Lack of strength, weakness, and sensation of cold in lower extremities, impotence

Water accumulation in body:

Edema and bloating

Vd. Dhruti Kagrana: Name: MAHAKAYA ( मक्का  )

Description:

Botanical name : Zea mays Linn.

Family : Poaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS Makkaya, Mahakaya

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES Rasa    : Kashaya, Madhura

Guna   : Guru, Snigdha

Virya   : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English  : Indian maize, Maize, Corn

Hindi  : Makka

Malayalam : Cholam, Makkacholam

Distribution –Throughout India, cultivated.

PLANT DESCRIPTION :- An erect annual herb grows up to 5 meters in height. Leaves simple, linear lanceolate, with sheathing base, acuminate, and scrubby. Male spikelets are terminal racemes, female inflorescence axillary, with spikelets arranged around the woody axis, styles long and silky, protruding outside as a mass of threads. Grains are flattened, yellowish, and become stony hard when dried.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES:-

 Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, general debility, anorexia, hemorrhoids, emaciation and is a staple food for some parts of India.

Useful part :Grains.

Ref:- www.brahmaayurveda.com

Dr. Hardikchandra Kalal: Mahayavnal kshar arthat makkay  ' spongy hair ' kshar .

It is vyadhipratyatmk aushadh of BPH. Its very useful and result oriented medicine in BPH.

Vd. Piyush Prajapati: Also important to decrease Creatinine level in blood..

You added Dr. Abhijit Redij

USA Gary Yuen: Habitat - Native to South America. Grown as a food crop mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Action - Corn Silk—diuretic, urinary demulcent, antilithic. Used for cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, irritation of the urinary tract by phosphatic and uric acids, nephritis, uncontrollable bladder, retention, pus in the urine, bed-wetting.

e corn silk gave saponins; alan- toin; sterols, especially beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol; alkaloid hordenine; polyphenols; mucilage; potassium; vi- tamin C and K; cryptoxanthin, antho- cyanins, plant acids, tannin.

 e glycoproteins, seperated from corn silk, inhibited IgE antibody for- mation and enhanced IgG and IgM formation; they showed antiviral and antitumour activities.

Classical use - Unani physicians prescribe an infusion made from two teaspoonfuls of dry cornsilk two to three times a day for anuria, dysuria and for cystitis.

Burnt and powdered cob is prescribed inter­ nally in metrorrhagia and bleeding piles; mixed with salt for treating cough.

Cornsilk possesses chloretic, diuretic and astringent properties. It stimulates bile secretion mildly, acts as a urinary demulcent, gently lowers blood pressure and reduces blood-clotting time. It soothes and relaxes the lining of the urinary tubules and bladder, relieves irritation and improves urine flow and elimination. It is found efficacious in frequent urination and for difficulty in passing urine in prostate disorders.

Cornsilk is found useful as an adjunct to other therapies for acute cystitis.

Xylose, arabinose and galactose, obtained from stems, leaves and cobs of maize, exhibit antitu­ mour activity.

Dr. Vipin Pandey: corn silk is diuretic…….corn silk put whole night in water then in morning take empty stomach gud for prostet and stone

Dr. S. K. Rai: Rt now 10 patients suffering from lower back ache with all classical sign of "Grahdhasi" are under my treatment. MRI shows compressions in the L4 and L5 region.

I have followed the protocols of treatment as mentioned, started with rookshan and deepan Pachan with Takra and Nagkeshradi choorn, followed by sneh paan with 50 ml dashmool oil for continuous 3 days, kati vast with moorvena oil and sarvang dhara in the lower part for 7days finally the vasti of sahcharadi oil with 14 vaitharni vasti.

I see all the patients are in superb conditions, there is marked improvement in tingling sensation, heavyness in the calf and thigh region, radiating pain has been reduced.

USA Gary Yuen: Any other info about the grain itself? Reduces kapha, maybe strengthens digestion, reduces edema, sweet.

Any opinions about how corn compares to other grains for building dhatus? Is protein the main factor? Would millet and maybe oats be first and then barley rice and last corn?

Found one site. Corn has more protein than rice. About the same as barley.

Another site. From what i can tell, for a more complete list, gavedukha protein is between corn and millet. Wheat is somewhere between oats and corn i believe. https://michaellustgarten.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/which-grain-is-the-best-source-for-protein-essential-amino-acids-bcaa-and-arginine/

 Ayulink: Thank you for sharing thoughts on Corn or Maize......surprisingly we found very less useful information for clinical practice.....This is the area where we need to make more efforts to find out hidden knowledge from folk healers or tribal people. Lets conclude this subject now....

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Compilation courtesy by: Vd, Kinshuk Hirpara