Walking along the alleys of
Binondo, Manila's Chinatown, I came across a vendor selling… what the heck is it? I was promptly told that it was
buhok ng mais (literally, hair of maize)—corn silk. I did a little research and it seems that corn silk is used in
Traditional Chinese Medicine to prevent kidney and gall bladder stones, and for treating various urinary tract disorders. It is also a diuretic and has anti-diabetic properties. Impressive. I'll be willing to try infusions of corn silk, but I still say no to
gecko tea.