Skip to content
Cura x Cura

Yu Mi Xu玉米须

Zeae Maydis Stylus · Corn Silk

Herbs that Drain Dampness 利水渗湿药《滇南本草》

Overview

Corn silk — the styles gathered from the maize ear — is about as gentle as a water-draining herb gets: sweet, bland and neutral, it moves water out through urination without depleting the body. It is used for edema, difficult or gritty urination, urinary stones and damp-heat jaundice, and it is mild enough to be taken as a daily tea when a practitioner has agreed the plan.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Neutral

Channels

Bladder · Liver · Gallbladder

Typical Dosage

30–60 g in decoction
玉米须Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Promotes urination, reduces swellingPuffiness of the face and legs with scanty urination.
  • Frees painful urinary dribblingHot, urgent or gritty urination and stone patterns in the urinary tract.
  • Drains damp, resolves jaundiceDamp-heat jaundice, commonly combined with Yin Chen.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Yu Mi Xu

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Edema of the face and legs with scanty urination
    - Hot, urgent or gritty painful urination, urinary stones
    - Damp-heat jaundice with flank fullness

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

EdemaUrinary stonesCystitisJaundice

Contraindications

Cautions

Mild in nature but genuinely diuretic: anyone taking prescription diuretics, or under treatment for kidney disease or blood pressure, should have their practitioner and their physician agree before using it regularly.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中药学》 (national planning textbook).

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.