"Let food be your medicine and your medicine be your food. Each one of the substances in a person's diet, acts upon the body and changes it in some unique way, and upon these changes the whole life depends, whether in health, in sickness or convalescent."  

Hippocrates 2 000 years ago.

Benefits of Cabbage

How many of us recall our Mother saying "you will stay at the table until you finish your cabbage".

Probably her mother said the same to her, not knowing at the time that one day these Benefits of Cabbage would be backed up by scientific facts.

Welcome to our exploration of the benefits of cabbage, a humble yet mighty vegetable that has been a staple in cuisines around the world for centuries.  Don't let its unassuming appearance fool you - cabbage packs a powerful nutritional punch and offers a range of health benefits that will leave you amazed. 

One of the standout benefits of cabbage is its potential to support digestive health. Loaded with fiber, cabbage can promote regular bowel movements and help maintain a healthy digestive system.

It is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties that may assist in reducing  symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders.

Cabbage is also a great ally in supporting heart health.  It contains compounds that can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.  Its high potassium content may also contribute to maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.

Additionally, cabbage is a rich source of antioxidants, which play a crucial role in protecting the body from harmful free radicals.  These antioxidants have been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cancer.

For those looking to shed some weight, cabbage can be a valuable addition to your diet. It is low in calories, high in water content, and packed with nutrients, making it an excellent choice for weight management and overall well-being.

Medicinal Properties of Cabbage

Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant Detoxicant Anti-carcinogenic Vitamin B  complex Vitamin C Vitamin K (a blood coagulant) Potassium Calcium Magnesium

Fiber Folic Acid

Consuming Cabbage

Legend has it that Sauerkraut (German for "sour cabbage") was to be one of the defining factors that prevented sailors getting scurvy on long sea voyages.

Cabbage loses many of its healing properties when boiled, so it would be better to juice it, but don't overdo it because it may contribute to an iron deficiency if consumed in excess and  may be the cause anemia. Old folks recommend when using cabbage as a juice,  that a liter a day should do the trick in supplying your body with all the many benefits of cabbage

Benefits of Cabbage for Ulcers.

Cabbage for Ulcers is and ancient remedy brought down through the years by our forefathers.  

But why, you ask yourself, is this vegetable so good as a domestic remedy for helping with ulcers, as well as upset tummy's?

Based on scientific deliberations, it is due to it's anti-inflammatory glutamine (amino acid) content,  which increases blood flow to the stomach and helps strengthen it's protective lining. Another one if the benefits of cabbage is that it also contains fiber and because fiber encourages the growth of the stomach's protective layer, it helps with the prevention of ulcers.

Glutamine, is believed to be as effective as conventional antacids. Cabbage and Cucumber

Cabbage for Breast Health 

• Because of cabbage's anti-inflammatory properties, it is considered a remedy for temporarily relieving breast discomfort (mastitis) in breastfeeding woman. 
•  Place a paste of raw cabbage in a cabbage leaf and wrap it around the affected area.
• Cabbage may help certain fibrocystic breast disorders, by speeding up metabolism to dispose more quickly of oestrogen that aggravates breast lumps.

Cabbage for Cancer

Cabbage also contains an anti-cancer compound sulforaphane, which is believed to help for prostate, colorectal, stomach, bladder, lung, breast and ovarian cancers.

Munch on Raw Cabbage because it is filled with isothiocyanates (big word, explained on Wikipedia)  These anti-oxidants inhibit enzymes that make certain chemicals in the body more likely to cause cancer. Natural chemical compounds found in cabbage, like lupeol (also an anti-inflammatory)  and the abovementioned suforaphane have been found to possess anti-cancer agents.

Cabbage for Alzheimer's

Maybe it is not a coincidence that the cabbage plant resembles a brain, because the Vitamin K contained in the cabbage helps to promote brain health. It also helps to protect from nerve damage, and it can prevent the effects of degeneration, like dementia. It has also been thought that Alzeimer's could involve aluminium poisoning, and in this case cabbage provides silicon which interferes with the absorption of aluminium.

If I had known this year's ago I would have fed my Dad cabbage morning, noon and night.

DRAWBACKS

Although cabbage may have many advantages, like anything else it may have drawbacks as well.  

• One of the drawbacks are that it may contribute to an iron deficiency, if consumed in excess and this in turn can result in anemia.
• Another drawback is that cabbage will make you windy, which some people might not like.

The List of Ailments which consuming Cabbage could be helpful for

Rheumataic Pains Facial Neuralgia Leg Ulcers Colds Flu  Headaches Hangovers

YOUR NATURAL MEDICINE CHEST

What to Keep in your Medicine Chest

Arnica
Keep a tube of this cream for relief for muscle strains as well as bruises.

Calendula
Use the dried flowers to make a tea and use for stressful situations and also stomach upsets.

Chamomile
Use the dried flowers to make a tea and use for stressful situations and also stomach upsets.

Echinacea
An absolute must for your herbal medicine chest for respiratory congestion and muscle soreness.

Eucalyptus
An absolute must for your herbal medicine chest for respiratory congestion and muscle soreness.

Ginger
Use this herb as a fresh root from your veggie store, or if you like gardening, grow them, it is an excellent medication for colds, respiratory congestion, nausea and stomach upsets

Lavender
Keep Lavender as an essential oil for stress, insomnia and headaches.

Sea Salt
Gargle with this salt for sore throats and also for bath salts.

Tea Tree
Use as an essential oil for skin infections and insect bites.

Valerian
Use as an extract for mild pain relief and insomnia