August 2025 Full Mon Herb Highlight

Tonight’s Full Moon is often called the Corn Moon or Harvest Moon. So I figured what better plant to highlight than it’s namesake - Corn! Not just the darling of barbecues and succotash, corn is also a wonderful healing ally.

Corn (Zea mays) is speculated to have developed more than 20,000 years ago and all varieties developed prior to the Europeans arriving in the New World. One of the sacred ‘Three Sisters’ corn was planted with beans and squash by the Indigenous peoples of North America. This agricultural practice celebrates the symbiotic relationship between the three plants that improves growth and productivity. The corn provides the structure or trellis for the beans to grow. The beans fix nitrogen into the soil improving the health of the corn and the squash. And the squash acts as a green mulch shading the soil, increasing moisture, and suppressing weeds. Plant besties at work!

Medicinally we use the Corn Silk as valuable medicine. Energetically it is considered neutral and moistening with a taste that is mildly sweet. It is a soothing diuretic, bladder tonic and is a favorite of herbalists for urinary tract infections. I typically will combine it with Yarrow, Agrimony and Rose for UTI protocols. Corn Silk contains maizinic acid which is antibacterial. It is both astringent and demulcent (a kinda unique combination for an herb) making it perfect for tightening tissue and soothing irritation. It eases sensations of pain during urination and can reduce symptoms of frequent urination.

Corn Silk strengthens the bladder and can be used for long-term or chronic bladder problems. Many herbalists recommend at tea for bladder weakness in adults and for children who frequently wet the bed. It is also an aid to the incontinence that can accompany pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Topically it’s demulcent properties can be used for diaper rash or abrasions.

Magically, Corn has an impressive list of uses. My favorite is the tradition of the Corn Mother, a Goddess of plenty and fertility. It is considered sacred to mothers and was hung in homes and nurseries for protection.

So, next time your shucking corn for the grill be sure to save some of those beautiful strands of silk. Medicine comes in all sorts of forms!

Safety note: Corn silk is contraindicated in cases of obstructive kidney stones, kidney inflammation, or edema related to kidney function.