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Traditional Uses of Cabbage:
Posted by Susan (USA)
CONSTIPATIONThe juice of cabbages is often used to relieve constipation. The downside to cabbage juice is that it can cause gas, as the juice breaks down putrefying matter in the intestines!
CABBAGE CURES PAINFUL BREASTS FOR BREASTFEEDING
Cabbage leaf compresses are often suggested by herbalists to reduce swelling in moderate to severe engorgement of the breast during breastfeeding months. Cabbage has both antibiotic and anti-irritant properties -- it contains sinigrin (allylisothiocyanate) rapine, mustard oil, magnesium, oxylate and sulphur heterosides. It is theorized that this natural mixture of ingredients helps decrease tissue congestion by dilating (opening) local capillaries (small blood vessels) improving the blood flow in the area.
Instructions:
Rinse common green cabbage leaves and cut a hole for the nipple. Right before applying, crush the veins of the cabbage leaves with a rolling pin to break open the veins. Apply the cabbage leaves directly on the breast. Usually one or two leaves per breast works well. Make sure to cover all inflamed or engorged tissue. In 1-2 hours, when cabbage leaves wilt, remove the leaves and reapply fresh leaves. Repeat application 4-6 times, for a total of 8 hours. Use the cabbage leaves only until the engorgement subsides.
Warning: Prolonged use of cabbage leaves on the breast can reduce milk supply.
Warning: Discontinue cabbage leaves on the skin if skin breaks out, blisters or becomes irritated.
Warning: Cabbage is not recommended for individuals allergic to sulfa or cabbage!
READER WARNING
7/24/2007: Atalia from Greeley, CO writes: "I used whole cabbage leaves soaked in ice water and it significantly reduced the swelling of my engorged breasts. But the downside is that it greatly reduced my milk production! I used the cabbage leaves for only an hour and I have had troubles ever since trying to feed my infant because of the significant reduction of milk production. I know that the swelling hurts like a mother, but I would use it as a very last resort because I have had long lasting negative results from usage."
OBESITY TREATMENT
Cabbage is considered to be an excellent home remedy for obesity. Research has shown cabbage contains a chemical called tartaric acid, which inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Substituting a meal with cabbage salad once a day is an excellent way to reduce weight.
CABBAGE CURES HEADACHES
Try eating raw cabbage to cure a headache. It is also a great cure for hangovers!
CABBAGE CAN HELP AN ENLARGED PROSTATE causing painful or dribbling urination
Recipe: Take common green cabbage, put it in boiling water, boil briefly until half cooked. Pour out half the water, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and a little cumin. Bring to another boil for about 3 minutes. Eat the cabbage and drink the juice from this recipe immediately. Once a day is best.
FOR WOUNDS
Recipe: Sterilize the wound, then apply ground cabbage twice a day. Grind fresh cabbage and apply to wounds or sores. Fresh ground cabbage will also bring a boil to a head and make it burst.
FOR BRUISING
Apply freshly ground cabbage to a bruise to heal it quickly.
FOR JOINT PAIN
Raw cabbage is one of the best vegetables you can take to ease inflammation of the joints. You can eat it however you like, just make sure it is fresh and uncooked! Herbalists suggest to eat fresh cabbage in the morning prior to any other food.
CABBAGE FOR BIRD FLU
Scientists at Seoul National University found that when they fed an extract of kimchi to 13 chickens infected with the bird flu, 11 of them recovered within a week. These same scientists previously proved that the lactic acid bacteria found in kimchi also has an anti-bacterial effect.
Fermenting
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci ) on 08/17/2011
Does the sauerkraut have the same effect on hypothyroid conditions as does other raw crucifers? Or does the fermantation process makes the cabbage go easy on the thyroid? Can I safely eat sauerkraut without worrying about it interferring with thyroid function? If it does interfere with thyroid function if eaten in large quanitties, is it ok to eat in small quanitities on a daily basis?
Fermenting
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci) on 08/19/2011
Does anyone have an answer to this whether eating sauerkraut can worsen the Hashimoto's hypothyroid, as sauerkraut is made with cabbage, which is a Cruciferous vegetable which can cause problems for thyroid. I have been eating some sauerkraut as probiotic for the last 2 months, but want to be cautious as I have Hashimoto's disease.
Fermenting
Posted by Lisa (Rabat, Morocco) on 08/19/2011
From what I understand, fermented foods still can cause problems for the thyroid. The fermenting process does not get rid of the goitrogens and I believe it can actually make them more bioavailable. I think if you eat sauerkraut once in a while it is okay, but I wouldn't eat it everyday. There are probably better ways to get your probiotics.
Fermenting
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci) on 08/20/2011
Thanks, Lisa. I will use the sauerkraut sparingly. Unfortunately, the other probiotics like Kefir is fermented milk, and I am allergic to milk. And Miso is fermented soy and soy again is not good for hypothyroid. I guess that leaves me with the option of probiotic pills.
Fermenting
Posted by Jasmine (Kitchener, On) on 05/29/2016
What is the reason to abstain from the soy products? Comment made at the end of your iodine post.
Fermenting
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci) on 08/23/2011
Thanks Maria. I will try to locate Miso that does not contain soy.
Fermenting
Posted by Jc (Boston, Ma) on 08/23/2011
Since you mentioned you have Hashimotos you need to be careful with iodine. It can cause more inflamation in your thyroid and ultimately more damage. I am not saying don't take Iodine. Just be very cognizant of your body as you take it.
Dr. Brownstien who is a big proponent of taking Iodine(Lugols or Iodoral), believes Hashimotos is casue by a lack of iodine, He strongly recommends taking "Companion supplements" while taking Iodine. These have an antioxidant effect and help minimize or eliminate any inflamation. They include 3g or more of Vit C, Magnesium 400mg or more, Selenium 200-400mcg, and Unrefined Sea Salt. The salt helps detox the halogens clogging up the iodine receptors describe earleir.
Anyone with Hashi needs Vit D to help modulate the immune system. Get tested as you want your level to be 50-80. NAC is also a good idea to help with glutathione production. 500 mg 2x a day on an empty stomache. An excellent antioxidant!
Fermenting
Posted by Robin (Alamogordo, Nm) on 03/12/2011
If you find that the raw cabbage gives you gas, try fermenting it before eating it. Cabbage and its relatives want to ferment, so it's fermenting in your gut. To avoid this, just let it work in a jar and then eat it. All the fermantation is over and you get the same benefits, also its DELICIOUS.
Fermenting
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci) on 03/21/2011
How would you ferment the cabbage? Can you please give the detailed process? Thank you.
Fermenting
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 03/21/2011
Hi, here in the Alsace you can buy fermented cabbage everywhere, so can you in more European countries. Maybe you should ask where you live? Sometimes things do exist but we don't know where to find them. I buy it at my butcher's but also in any supermarket and you can eat it in many restaurants. Never tried to make it myself though....... Here it is called "choucroute", the Dutch call it "zuurkool", the Germans "sauerkraut"...
Fermenting
Posted by Bev (Long Beach, Ca) on 04/14/2011
This sounds like kem chi. I love Kim Che.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Tina (Menlo Park, California) on 01/09/2013
What an awesome post! Thanks for spreading the great cures. I tried eating a bowl of shredded green cabbage and raw ACV last night, my arthritis pain seemed to diminish a lot! It could be the sulfur in the cabbage as I heard lots of people who take MSM have the same positive affect on their joint pain. I will try the raw cabbage salad more regularly and will report back
GERD
Posted by Mo (Camano Island, Wa) on 05/13/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I drank raw cabbage juice and it relaxed my lower esophagel sphincter so now I have reflux after having surgey to fix it. Be careful! Don't take the chance!! I am experiencing a nightmare because I drank the cabbage juice!
Breasts, Sore/Engorged
Posted by Nikki (Seattle, WA) on 03/20/2007
★★★★★
Cabbage helped decrease the swelling in my breasts due to engorgement. Nothing else worked. So, years later I decided to try it for breast swelling after breast augmentation. It also helped for that...though not as noticeably.
Breasts, Sore/Engorged
Posted by Tania (New Zealand) on 09/06/2006
★★★★★
I can recommend cabbage leaves on engorged breasts as a wonderful nurse in the Maternity, Annexe, suggested this odd remedy after the birth of my child, when my milk came in, and my breasts tripled in size! It really does work.
Spider Bites
Posted by Renata (Cape Town, South Africa) on 03/11/2009
★★★★★
Raw cabbage was an extremely powerful remedy in curing me of two infected Violin Spider bites on my legs (one on the thigh, one on the knee). Just grating a small portion of raw cabbage onto a bandage and leaving it overnight helped to draw out the poisin and heal the infection where other herbal remedies had failed, and my only recommended recourse otherwise would have been antibiotics, which I was loathe to take.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Priya (Bangkok, Thailand) on 05/16/2009
★★★★★
Hi, just wanted to comment on cabbage juice and gas. If you read Sally Fallon's book "Nourishing Traditions" you will see that she advocates fermenting cabbage juice for a couple of days before consumption. I tried this and while the smell was not pleasant, I had no gas at all. You will need to use whey in the process but it's easy to produce. I would urge you all to start eating fermented vegetables regularly for intestinal flora too - highly beneficial.
GERD
Posted by Ken (Muscat, Oman) on 12/30/2009
Hi SArah from Brussels!
Thank you for sharing your first hand experience about the cabbage...I was wonderin if it is really effective...because I saw a couple of sites at the internet which states that it cabbage should be avoided by people with GERD. I have the GERD for a few months now..and taking PPI when necessary. I want to tally eradicate the medication but am quite anxious of this cabbage thing....Maybe I'll give it a shot..
GERD
Posted by Ppat (New York, Ny, Usa) on 01/09/2012
Hi, I have been taking about 600ml (300ml twice daily) for the last 2 weeks. My gastritis symptoms have improved but I'm worried about the effect of cabbage juice on thyroid since I have read that excess cabbage juice can cause goiter. Is it true? If it is, what is excess consumption? I am planning to lower my dose and try drinking it for another 2 or 3 weeks to relieve the symptoms completely.
Any help is appreciated!
GERD
Posted by Sharron (SC, US) on 05/27/2014
Vmotta from Los Angeles, CA Or anyone that knows this answer, it would be very helpful!
I know this post is from a couple of years ago, but is it better to eat the red cabbage than the green if you are suffering from hypothyroidism?
Broad Benefits
Posted by Papia (India) on 01/03/2007
★★★★★
Raw Cabbage salad has cured my dry, flaky skin and fatigue : ). I started having raw cabbage salad every morning after exercise for the last few weeks and I wasnt feeling tired the whole day and to top that my skin started glowing & feeling smooth .... !! I sure do love cabbage and now its like a ritual for me to have a bowl of raw cabbage salad every morn`!
Recipes
Posted by Wendy (Columbus, Oh) on 02/07/2014
★★★★★
Yummy is right! Looks really good! Will be trying this recipe for sure!
Stomach Problems
Posted by Dora (Houston, Texas, USA) on 07/16/2013
★★★★★
Recently found out that Cabbage is super good to cure stomach problems, such as acid reflux and gastritis. The cabbage must be prepared in a juice extractor, and drank as soon as made, the secret is that must be fresh. You can take about half of 1 small cup of it every day for 1 week, if your stomach problems are severe. Otherwise, only once a week.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Mujahid (Tobyhanna, Pennsylanvia) on 08/31/2008
★★★★★
I stopped eating meat, and started eating cabbage everyday, yes gas is part of what is expected, but my bowel movement is now regulated, my system is cleansed, stool is no longer dark and there is no unbearable smell. my weight is going down. And most of all I feel better physically. I juice 8 oz twice a day. And eat 1/4 pound per day. Basil and Fennel and black pepper for flavor.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Carol (Southern NJ) on 10/29/2006
★★★★★
I eat about 1 cup of raw Savoy Cabbage a day with a meal. It relieved my roller coaster episodes of diahrrea in one day...and constipation for the next week. Also it helped with PMS. I can think more clearly, I have a higher energy level, my mood is improved, and I feel really healthy.
Stomach Problems
Posted by Donald (Red Bank, NJ) on 07/19/2005
★★★★★
I used raw cabbage juice to cure my stomach problems many years, and now and then should i ever have stomach problems of any kind, i have some cabbage juice, that takes care of the problem.
