90 days to maturity. Prefers warm fertile soil and full sun. Hill up around plants.

Traditional Herbal Medicine Registration (THMR).

Cancer; cholagogue; demulcent; diuretic; hypoglycaemic; hypotensive; lithontripic; stimulant; vasodilator and warts.

Medicinal uses Uses supported by clinical data The stigmas and styles of Zea mays are used for the supportive treatment of chronic nephritis (48). Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents The stigmas and styles of Zea mays are used for the treatment of cholangitis, hepatitis and cholecystitis (43), and of acute and chronic cystitis and urethritis (36). Also used in the treatment of heart disease (as a diuretic), hypertension, rheumatism and diabetes mellitus (49). Uses described in traditional medicine The stigmas and styles of Zea mays have been used externally in Mayan, Incan and American traditional medicine to treat bruises, swellings, sores, boils, erysipelas, dermatitis and external infl ammations (22, 50, 51). Their internal uses in the treatment of gout, gastritis, bile congestion, alcoholism, prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, nocturnal enuresis and whooping cough have been described (52, 53). They are also used as a sedative and laxative (54–58). Research in China and the former USSR countries indicates that the stigmas and styles of Zea mays lower blood pressure and reduce blood-clotting time (21, 59). The stigmas and styles of Zea mays are also used in the treatment of cystitis and urethritis (60). Contraindications Styli cum stigmatis Zeae maydis is contraindicated in patients with loss of appetite and a low body mass or, in view of the ability of this drug to decrease clotting time, those with high coagulability of blood (76, 80). It is not recommended for irrigation therapy (hydro-colon therapy) in patients with oedema due to impaired heart or kidney function (70). If signs of hypersensitivity reactions appear (contact dermatitis and urticaria) the styles and/or stigmas of Zea mays must not be used again.

Corn is one of the most commonly grown foods in the world. The seed can be eaten raw or cooked.

Corn/maize lacks nicotinic acid (aka niacin or vitamin B3) so if used as a sole source of food, pellagra develops.