Cabbage

Brassica oleracea

Cabbage - biennial or perennial herb growing to 8 ft (2.5 m). Cabbage has a thick stem, gray leaves, and 4-petaled yellow flowers. Within the first year, cabbage produces a greatly enlarged terminal bud that develops into the familiar cabbage head in late summer.

The wholesome cabbage is one of the oldest vegetables. According to Greek myth, cabbage sprang into existence from the perspiration of Zeus. In a Greek ritual, cabbage was given to expectant mothers shortly before birth in order to establish good breast-milk production. The Romans used cabbage as an antidote, especially to alcohol, believing it countered intoxication and prevented or reduced a hangover. They also used cabbage leaves to cleanse infected wounds. One traditional method of making a cabbage poultice, which is still used today, is to cut out the midrib of a leaf and iron it, placing it while still hot on the area to be treated.

Parts used

Leaves.

Uses

Cabbage's best-known medicinal use is as a poultice -  the leaves of the wild or cultivated plant are blanched, crushed, or chopped, and applied to swellings, tumors, and painful joints. Wild cabbage leaves eaten raw or cooked aid digestion and the  breakdown of toxins in the liver- so the Romans' eating it to  ease a hangover was in fact quite sensible. Cabbage is also detoxifying and helpful in the long-term treatment of arthritis. The high vitamin C content of cabbage has made it useful in the prevention of scurvy.

Habitat & cultivation

Wild cabbage is native to coasts of the English Channel and the Mediterranean. Cultivated varieties are produced worldwide as a vegetable.

Constituents

Cabbage contains minerals, vitamins A, B1, B2, C, amino acids, fats.

Applications

LEAVES:

FRESH - Use directly on arthritic or sprained joints, varicose ulcers, and wounds. Strip out the central rib of the leaf first, then beat the leaf gently to soften it slightly and bind to the area with a bandage. Place prepared leaves in bra cups for mastitis or engorged breasts.

DECOCTION - For colitis, boil 60 g leaves in 500 ml water for an hour, and drink in half cup doses.

LOTION - For acne, mix 250 g fresh leaves and 250 ml distilled witch hazel in a blender. Strain, and add two drops of lemon juice oil: use night and morning.

JUICE - Prescribed for gastric or duodenal ulceration.

SYRUP - Take a syrup made from the decoction in 10 ml doses for chesty coughs, asthma, and bronchitis.

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