Table of Contents
- 1. What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?
- 2. What Leads To UTI And How Does It Feel Like?
- 3. What’s The Relation Between Tea and UTIs?
- 4. Why Is Corn Silk Tea For UTI Considered a Therapeutic Boon?
- 5. How To Brew The Perfect Cup of Corn Silk Tea For UTI?
- 6. Beyond UTI- Other Health Benefits of Corn Silk Tea
- 7. How To Safely Use Corn Silk Tea?
- 8. The Bottom Line
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UTI is amongst the most common infections that doctors see.
Antibiotics are usually the gold standard treatment for UTIs that help alleviate their discomforting symptoms and prevent them from reoccurring.
But are antibiotics the only way to manage and treat UTIs?
Due to the inevitable side effects of antibiotics in the long run, more and more people are now looking for safe and natural complementary interventions such as cornsilk tea for UTI.
In this article, we will explore why corn silk tea is gaining attention from researchers for its impact on UTIs and how to include this wonder drink in your diet.
1. What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?
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Divided into two parts, your urinary tract acts as a filtration and drainage system for your body. It includes:
- Upper urinary system: Ureters and Kidneys.
- Lower urinary systems: Bladder and Urethra.
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria living in your anal, vaginal, and genital areas enter the urethra and travel up to your bladder and multiply.
The most common type found to cause UTI is Escherichia coli (E.coli).
2. What Leads To UTI And How Does It Feel Like?
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Though both men and women can get UTIs, there is a difference in how they get it and how likely they are to get it.
This National Library of Medicine research shows that it occurs more in women than men. The ratio being 8:1. (1)
Wondering why?
As this American Family Physician study says, the main reason for UTIs in women is their anatomy.
There is a shorter urethra-to-anus distance, which predisposes otherwise healthy women to UTIs. (2)
Let’s understand the common causes of UTI:
Women- Specific Risk Factors |
Sensitive urethral skin that's easy to irritate and get infected |
Contraception such as diaphragms and spermicides. |
Menopause-related estrogen drops make the vaginal tissues become thinner and more prone to bacterial infections. |
Pregnancy-related pressure on the bladder, not allowing it to get empty. This leads to bacterial multiplication |
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Male- Specific Risk Factors |
An enlarged prostate |
Not being circumcised |
Having anal intercourse |
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Common Risk Factors |
Being over 50 years |
Immunosuppression due to disease or medications |
Diabetes |
Urinary tract instrumentation (catheters) |
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Dehydration |
History of UTIs |
Inability to empty the bladder |
Urinary tract abnormalities (renal stones) |
Here are some signs of UTI to look out for:
- Foul-smelling urine.
- Fever, chills, and fatigue.
- Lower abdominal discomfort.
- Bloody, cloudy, or dark-colored urine.
- Dysuria, or the burning and painful sensation during urination.
- Feeling the need to urinate frequently.
- Anxiety
You should also watch out for silent UTI symptoms, UTI symptoms during pregnancy, Postpartum UTI symptoms, and UTI symptoms before periods.
Sometimes UTI appears without any symptoms at all.
Caffeinecan also cause UTI symptoms.
If untreated UTI symptoms are not given proper attention, it can lead to various harsh consequences for yourself.
RECOMMENDED READING:
1. How Long Does It Take For UTI To Go Away?
3. What To Do If The Symptoms Won't Go Away?
3. What’s The Relation Between Tea and UTIs?
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According to the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, one of the major risk factors for UTIs is dehydration. (3)
Although keeping yourself hydrated is a great way to reduce the risk of UTIs, the catch is that it is just that- a simple hydrator.
Water has no added health properties that help prevent and relieve UTI pain.
This is where herbal teas for UTI come in.
They are abundant in antioxidants and polyphenols and have anti-microbial properties that help expel bad bacteria from the body.
4. Why Is Corn Silk Tea For UTI Considered a Therapeutic Boon?
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Corn silk tea has been used for centuries in Native American and Southeast Asian medicine systems.
It is considered to be an effective remedy for UTIs particularly.
Here’s a roundup of some evidence-based benefits of tea made with corn silk for UTI works as published in the Molecules Journal: (4)
- Corn silk tea acts as a mild diuretic. By helping expel more urine, an important corn silk UTI benefit is that it flushes out the bacteria present in the urinary tract.
- This diuretic activity is also beneficial for those suffering from kidney stone-related UTIs.
By helping flush out kidney stones, it prevents UTIs.
- Rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, another benefit of cornsilk for UTI is that it eases the burning sensation and irritation, a common symptom of UTI.
5. How To Brew The Perfect Cup of Corn Silk Tea For UTI?
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After knowing all its incredible health benefits, you must be thinking about how to make corn silk tea for UTI.
You will be amazed at how easy it is to brew a cup of this wonderful drink and gain corn silk tea UTI benefits.
Just follow these easy steps:
Ingredients:
- 2 full corn cobs
- 2 cups of water
Instructions:
- Peel the silk threads off the corn cobs.
- Place a pan filled with water on medium flame and add the corn silk to it.
- Once the water boils, let it simmer for 45 minutes.
- Strain the liquid into a cup.
- Your warm brew is ready.
6. Beyond UTI- Other Health Benefits of Corn Silk Tea
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There are not just corn silk tea UTI benefits.
According to the Molecules Journal published in National Library of Medicine. (5)
It offers preventive and therapeutic benefits for your overall health too including:
- Rich in antioxidants, it prevents cell damage and eliminates free radicals. This reduces the risk of premature aging, neurodegenerative disorders, and certain types of cancers.
- It reduces hyperglycemia and controls blood sugar levels, saving you from the risk of diabetes.
- Corn silk tea is abundant in polysaccharides.
This property acts as a natural antidepressant and helps regulate moods and prevents stress. - It reduces chronic fatigue and improves your energy levels.
7. How To Safely Use Corn Silk Tea?
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One of the oft-asked questions is how to use corn silk for UTI.
Its side effects are rarely reported, still, it may not be safe for everyone, especially for those who are:
- Allergic to corn or corn products.
- Take blood thinners, potassium supplements, or medicine for diabetes or blood pressure.
Talking about how much corn silk tea for UTI, we advise you to start with a smaller dosage and gradually increase its quantity.
Whether you are making tea or using corn silk capsules for UTI, make sure that they are sourced from a reputed brand.
Apart from these teas, you can also try:
Have more queries about Urinary Tract Infection? Use our guides to the following topics for support:
1. Natural Herbal Remedies For UTI
2. How To Use Yoghurt For UTI?
3. How To Take Oregano Oil For UTI?
4. How To Get Rid Of A UTI With Baking Soda?
5. Is Turmeric Tea Good For UTI?
8. The Bottom Line
UTI is not just common but also reoccurs and relapses, leading to antibiotics resistance and other adverse effects.
Non-antibiotic approaches such as corn hair tea for UTI help a great deal in avoiding UTIs, not to mention that it’s absolutely organic and natural.
So, go ahead and brew a cup of this terrific tea for a healthier and happier life.