To
many people, all there is to corn is food. But, corn does much more than feed
people and livestock. Aside tea from corn silk that helps soothe urinary tract
infection and prevent drug-induced kidney damage, experts found tea made from
its leaf is a good home-remedy for malaria.
In a new study, experts found that its tea significantly relieve
the pain and symptoms of diseases that are caused by inflammation such as
arthritis under laboratory conditions in a dose –dependent manner, and thus a
suitable remedy.
For the study, the scientists assessed the effects of different doses of the
ethanol extract of corn leaf on experimental rats which were made to have pain
and symptoms of arthritis.
The relieve in pain and inflammation achieved in the test animals
was significant relative to control and the effect of the highest dose at 30
minutes was more than that of the standard drug used for the treatment of the
problem.
Although the effectiveness of corn leaf extract was not comparable
to that of the standard drugs used for the problem, the researchers said the
study’s finding however confirmed its use in Ibibio ethno medicine.
The 2016 study published in the Journal of Herbal Drug involved
Jude E Okokon; Koofreh Davies and Bassey S Antia, all from the University of
Uyo.
The researchers, however, stated that further work was required on
the extract of corn leaf to fully understand its components as well as its
mechanism of action in alleviating pain and inflammation.
Leaf of corn plant is used traditionally in Ibibio ethno medicine
in Southern Nigeria for the treatment of various illnesses such as malarial
fever, pains and inflammatory conditions.
Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, fatigue,
vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures,
coma, or death.
Besides its nutritive values, maize stalk and inflorescence are
also used in ethno-medicine for the treatment of several ailments. The ash of
the cob is used for the treatment of cough as well as inflammatory diseases.
The husks are also used in the treatment of pains and arthritis.
It is also taken as warm tea for the treatment of malaria in Ibibio traditional
medicine.
Folklore uses of a tea made from its cob include treatment of
nose-bleeds and menorrhagia (an abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period
at regular intervals).
In traditional medicine, corn is used for relieving diarrhoea,
dysentery, urinary tract disorders, prostatitis,
hypertension and tumour.
Researchers have found that the tea made from leaves and roots of
corn could be used in the treatment of strangury (slow and painful discharge of
the urine, due to spasm of the urethra and bladder), dysuria (painful or
difficult urination) and gravel.
Previously, experts had reported the blood sugar regulatory effect
of a tea made from corn leaf in West Algeria. According to the 2008 study
published in the Asian Journal of Chemistry, individuals only need to take a
cup of the tea a day to lower blood sugar level in a diabetic.
Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a
group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels over a
prolonged period. Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination,
increased thirst, and increased hunger. If left untreated, diabetes can cause
many complications, including heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney failure,
foot ulcers, and damage to the eyes.
Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough
insulin or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin
produced.
In addition, experts in the 2010 edition of the Journal of
Medicinal Food investigated the effect of corn husk extract in rats and
indicated that it also relieved pain in a dose-dependent fashion.
The researchers Owoyele BV from the Department of Physiology,
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin in collaboration with
others like Negedu MN; Olaniran SO; Onasanwo SA and Oguntoye SO.
These results provide scientific validation for the use of corn
husk decoction for the treatment of pain and inflammatory conditions in
Nigerian folk medicine.
They suggested that its pain reliving and anti-inflammatory
effects that may be due to its tannins and polyphenolic constituents.
Source:
http://tribuneonlineng.com/
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