CORN – COOKED GRAINS
The most central grain native to the western hemisphere, corn is an ideal grain for Kapha. When cultures in Africa and elsewhere first began using corn as a staple in the late 19th century, there resulted an epidemic of pellagra – a wasting disease involving skin lesions, diarrhea and nerve deterioration (Pitta-Vata conditions).
Corn’s immense use in the modern industrial food complex has several harmful effects on the grain itself and on the environment. Today, most corn fields are grown as a mono-crop, depleting soils and requiring heavy use of pesticides. The inability of cultivated plants to survive without pesticide and fertilizer use is a testimony to their lack of vitality.
Corn is also a victim on GMO. As of 2009 GMO corn comprised up to 85% of corn sown in the United States, despite ongoing controversy over potential health and environmental hazards. Holistic medicine recommends you avoid all genetically modified life forms.
VARIATIES
- Cornbread: cooking or baking corn flour with liquids make it only mildly imbalancing for Pitta or Vata
- Toasted / dry roasted corn cob: moderately imbalancing for Pitta or Vata
- Sweet corn, cooked cob: has more moisture and so it can be handled more easily by Vata or Pitta.
- Popcorn / Corn chips: dry and light, aggravate Vata.
PROPERTIES
Taste: Sweet, astringent
Natural Attributes: Light, Dry
Tissue impact (Vipak): Reducing
Thermal impact (Virya): Neutral
Dosha impact: Decreases Kapha, increases Vata & Pitta,
Digestive impact (Agni): corn flour is light and easy to digest, corn on the cob is difficult
Channels (Srotas): opens the channels
Feces: moves the feces downwards
Urine: mild diuretic
Strength (Bala): improves strength and immunity
Mind (Manas): alleviates Tamas
Effect:
Chinese five element impact: Fire Element
Chinese medicine syndromes: Phlegm conditions
MEDICAL PROPERTIES
- Nourishment (rasa): nourishing the heart,
- Blood-circulation-liver: reduces blood pressure
- Bones-joints-tendon-ligaments: osteoarthritis, promotes healthy teeth and gums,
- Reproductive and hormonal systems: helps overcome sexual weakness,
- Kidney-Bladder: water retention, tonifies kidneys, irritable bladder, kidney stones
- Digestive system: regulates digestion, improves appetite, stimulates digestion and oxidation
Harmful for: emaciation