Evidence supporting the use of: Cornsilk
For the health condition: Urinary Tract Infections

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cornsilk (the long, thread-like styles from maize) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, especially in Native American, Chinese, and Turkish medicine systems, for promoting urinary tract health and treating conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), cystitis, and prostatitis. Traditional herbalists have valued cornsilk for its purported diuretic and soothing properties, believing it helps flush out bacteria and reduce inflammation of the urinary tract. Few clinical studies directly assess cornsilk’s efficacy for UTIs in humans. Some laboratory and animal studies indicate that cornsilk extracts may have mild anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and diuretic effects, which could theoretically help with UTI symptoms or prevention. However, these findings have not been robustly confirmed in human clinical trials. No large, well-designed studies have demonstrated that cornsilk is effective or superior to standard treatments for UTIs. As such, its use for UTIs remains primarily based on traditional use rather than scientific validation. Cornsilk is generally considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts, but it should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical treatment of UTIs, especially in cases of acute infection. In summary, while cornsilk is traditionally used for urinary tract support, the scientific evidence is weak and does not conclusively validate its effectiveness for treating UTIs.

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