Corn Silk Tea: Recipe, Detox Claims and Safety

Corn silk tea is an infusion of fresh corn silk and water that takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes to make and yields about 2 cups (500 mL).

What is corn silk tea?

Corn silk tea is made by steeping the threadlike strands found inside an ear of corn. This recipe uses a cold infusion: the corn silk stays in water in the refrigerator rather than being simmered on the stove.

Corn silk has traditionally been used as an herbal preparation, but a homemade infusion is not a proven detox treatment. If you want to explore the broader category, read about herbal detox tea.

How do you make corn silk tea?

Prep time: 5 minutes
Steep time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Yield: About 2 cups (500 mL)

Ingredients

• 5 g fresh corn silk (about ½ cup loosely packed; volume varies with packing)
• 500 mL water (about 2 cups)

Use fresh corn silk from corn intended for food. Avoid corn silk that is moldy, slimy or potentially contaminated with pesticides not intended for food crops.

Instructions

1. Rinse the corn silk thoroughly under cool running water and remove any visibly damaged strands.
2. Place the corn silk in a clean, covered jar or pitcher and add the water.
3. Refrigerate for 2 hours to steep. For a stronger flavor, steep for up to 4 hours.
4. Strain out the corn silk and serve the tea cold, or gently heat the strained tea if you prefer it warm.

For another tailored drink idea, try the ai detox recipe generator.

Keep the tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Heating a portion for serving adds time to the recipe; refrigerate any tea you do not serve.

What does corn silk tea do for detox?

Corn silk tea provides water, which helps you stay hydrated. Hydration supports normal body functions, including the work of organs that process and eliminate waste.

The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification. The lungs and gut also help eliminate waste, while sweat removes only trace amounts. Corn silk tea does not replace those processes, and research has not established that this homemade infusion removes toxins or improves liver or kidney function.

Research on corn silk as an ingredient or extract cannot establish what happens when someone drinks this particular tea. The amount of compounds that enter the water can vary with the corn silk and preparation. For a closer look at the claims, see corn silk tea benefits.

How much corn silk tea should you drink, and when?

There is no established evidence-based dose or best time of day for corn silk tea. If you choose to drink it, treat it as an occasional beverage rather than a medicinal course, and do not feel obliged to finish the whole batch at once.

You can serve it with a meal or at another time that suits you. Drinking more is not known to produce a greater detox effect, and the recipe should not replace medical care or a clinician’s fluid advice.

What are the side effects, and who should be careful?

Some people may be sensitive or allergic to corn silk. Stomach upset or increased urination may also occur, although the frequency and safety of regular use are not well established. Stop drinking it and contact a clinician if you develop a rash or persistent discomfort.

Check with a clinician before drinking corn silk tea if you have kidney or heart disease, have been advised to restrict fluids, or take diuretics or medicines for diabetes or blood pressure. Ask for advice before giving it to children or using it during pregnancy or breastfeeding; safety information is limited.

Seek urgent medical help for trouble breathing or swelling of the lips or throat. See a clinician promptly for blood in the urine, persistent swelling or difficulty urinating; seek urgent help if you cannot urinate. Read more about corn silk tea side effects.

Frequently asked questions about corn silk tea

The infusion may look pale even after steeping. A darker or stronger-tasting cup is not proof of a stronger health effect.

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