MEDICINAL PLANTS

Originally from America, the cultivation of this plant has developed rapidly and is widespread today, as for its perfect development of land just need them to have a good number of hours of sunshine and abundant water. Under optimal conditions can reach up to six meters. This elevation is achieved thanks to a solid and unbranched stem the emerging leaves, which are wide and rough to the touch, although distinguished by their length, which can become more than a meter. Thanks to its wide distribution and spread throughout the world, have created numerous varieties, amounting to over three hundred and are distinguished by the size of the ear itself.

FLOWERING

Flowers in summer and autumn, with the particularity of having separate male flowers of the female, the male is green, elongated spike-shaped, where the pollen leaves fertilize the flowers of the opposite sex. The female, however, emerge from the axils of the leaves, wrapped in large bracts by looming styles, resulting in what is popularly called the beard of corn. Having made fertilization, globular fruits are obtained, usually bright yellow, which are the parts that normally used in food. After further grinding and degreasing, you get corn meal, better known by its trade name, not many years ago was the main food of young children, as their lack of gluten it was appropriate for these ages, although a continued employment and a diet based exclusively on this type of flour can lead to deficiency diseases. The collection of styles-part used in medicine, should be done when they begin to form and remain visible, although this operation will miss the cob, because in this way is prevented from fertilization, which occurs necessarily through the style. Should be dried quickly in the shade and stored in dark bottles protected from moisture.

APPLICATIONS

It has diuretic and hypotensive by possessing potassium salts. It also presents allantoin, which gives epithelializing and emollient activity, as used in small wounds. Tannins, meanwhile, gives it astringent. It also has a slight hypoglycaemic action. Corn oil is used in lipid-lowering diets for lowering cholesterol because it contains polyunsaturated fatty acids. The unsaponifiable portion of corn oil is used to combat pyorrhea, and is used in the preparation of toothpaste.

ADMINISTRATION

Decoction. 50 grams in one liter of water, boil for 10 minutes, and take up to five cups a day.
Fluid extract. One teaspoon three times a day.
Syrup. Prepared 10%, up to four tablespoons a day.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Grasses
HABITAT: Undemanding
FLOWERING: Summer and autumn
PART USED: Styles and grains
CASTILIAN: Trigo de Turquía
CATALAN: Blat moresc
BASQUE: Milleka
GALICIAN: Milho

USES

Strong diuretic, Moderate hypotensive, Mild Astringent.