Vegetables
Corn
玉米yù mǐNutritional Value
4 / 5
Organ Affinities
Tonifies
Therapeutic Properties
Quick Facts
AHM Properties
Corn supports Spleen and Stomach Qi, encourages urination, and helps the body regulate fluid balance. It warms and nourishes the middle burner and is considered a gentle, broadly supportive food when eaten in reasonable portions. Corn silk — the thread-like strands beneath the husk — is a separate AHM herb entry (Yu Mi Xu) used as a tea for swelling, urinary tract inflammation, and kidney stones. The corn kernel and the corn silk are distinct in AHM: the kernel is food, the silk is medicine.
Corn provides folate (approximately 15% of the daily value per serving), vitamin C (about 11% DV), thiamin (vitamin B1), and meaningful amounts of magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Its fiber content supports digestive health, and it contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health. Corn has a moderate glycemic index and provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy.
Contraindications
Avoid excess corn in damp conditions, as it is mildly damp-forming. Use with caution in severe damp-phlegm patterns. For corn silk tea cautions, see the Yu Mi Xu entry.
Clinically authored and reviewed by Dr. Katrina Chojnicki-Hill, DAOM, AP, Dipl. OM. Cross-referenced against American Dragon Herbs and classical AHM sources. For educational purposes only — consult a qualified AHM practitioner for personalised advice.