Abstract

Kidney stone is one of the major health issues in different countries around the world. The global incidence of kidney stones is increasing with an estimated prevalence up to 15%. Different factors are known to affect the occurrence of kidney stone like age, medical and nutrition history, drug usage, environmental factors and family history. Based on applauded attributes, Corn silk (stigma maydis) is currently used as a medicine for flushing out kidney stones for its special action of being what is known as a “soothing diuretic”. The diuretic action of corn silk infusions increases the flow of urine beyond the equivalent amount of water and thus increases the passage of urinary stones through the urinary tract. It also reduces the chance of sedimentation in future. Corn silk also play an important physical role in treatment by increasing smooth muscle contraction leading to increased urinary output. In addition, the main problems that are known to be treated with stigma maydis are bladder infections and urinary tract problems. Corn silk is used as traditional herbal medicine in China for irritable bladder, bed wetting and fluid retention. It is also used as a medicine and dietary supplement in Turkey, United States and France. As such, this review will cover the research findings regarding the significant role of corn silk in healthcare, specifically in clearing kidney stones out of the body as well as different ways in which corn silk can be used.