Corn - an annual plant from the family of cereals, grows up to 3-5 m in height. Distinguish between male and female flowers of corn. Male flowers form large panicles, and female flowers - the cobs in the axils of the leaves. The fruits of corn are grains.
The birthplace of corn is Mexico. Like wheat in the west, rice in the east, in Mexico, corn is the main food. Imported to South America, corn gave birth to large agricultural areas. Nowadays corn is widely spread all over the world. In Russia, corn is a cultivated plant that is grown on large areas. The flowering of corn occurs in June-August, the ripening of fruit - in September-October.
Corn is widely used in cooking. She adds piquancy to many dishes and is highly regarded by the chefs. The merits of corn is that its grains are rich in vitamins E, B, PP. The use of corn helps to eliminate toxins from the body, as well as corn regulates the cholesterol in the blood. In corn, a lot of carbohydrates, so it strengthens the nervous system.
Healthy eating involves the consumption of not only corn kernels, but also corn porridge, dishes from corn groats and corn flour.
Corn is used not only for food purposes, but also as a medicinal product. Corn sticks with stigmas are harvested during ripening, dried outdoors, stored for 1-2 years. Stigmas and columns contain bitter glycoside substances, fatty oils, saponins, cryptosanthine, vitamin K, ascorbic acid, inositol, sitosterol, stigmasterol. Also, corn seeds are rich in starch, oils, quartzetine, flavone derivatives.
Corn stigmas are used in the treatment of hepatitis, nephritis, cholecystitis, urolithiasis, edema. Means, which include corn stigmas, increase the secretion of bile, improve its quality (fluid and viscosity), lower bilirubin, increase the prothrombin content in the blood, accelerate blood clotting.
Corn oil is also very valuable, it has many phosphatides - biologically active substances that improve the functioning of brain tissue, regulate the content of cholesterol and promote the accumulation of proteins. Corn oil in raw uncooked form is used as a dietary remedy for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, obesity and artery diseases.
Liquid extract of corn stigmas is taken as a cholagogue. Corn stigmas have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, especially in the elderly. With obesity, they reduce appetite and improve metabolism. For this, infusion or tea is prepared. Corn is used in dieticians, as a product that reduces appetite.
Due to the presence of useful substances and vitamins in corn, corn is widely used in cosmetology. Corn for hair, nails and skin is especially useful. Corn oil is used to care for dry skin, prone to premature wrinkling. It also has a wonderful anti-aging effect. But corn starch, on the contrary, helps to get rid of problems with oily skin: it not only reduces the production of sebum, but also perfectly moisturizes the skin, because oily skin and, like dry, need sufficient moisture. Corn starch is one of the components of baby powder. It is hypoallergenic and protects children's tender skin from external influences.
Use natural medicines and stay healthy!