Cabbage is known for more than just the funny sounding side effects that come soon after its consumption. Here at HHL, we’ve loved cabbage for its low-calorie and high nutrition benefits. It’s full of vitamin C, K, and potassium! We’ve also LOVED it’s cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory superpowers (and it’s deliciousness that makes it oh-so-easy to eat). Now we’ve got even more to love! Have you ever heard of a cabbage compress?

Cabbage Benefits

An old Irish blessing reads, “May the leaves of your cabbage always be free from worms.”

Cabbage has been used for treating swollen and bruised skin for centuries. It’s full of phytonutrients, vitamins, anthocyanins, and glutamine that contain anti-inflammatory properties that are good for anti-cancer AND anti-joint pain! It’s been used to treat arthritis and sports injuries. The evidence has been anecdotal, but many arthritis sufferers reduce their medicinal intake by adding cabbage leaves to their treatment. How have they used cabbage? As a wrap!

Cabbage Compress

What You’ll Need:

  • Cabbage (organic; preferably red)
  • Gauze or Bandage
  • Aluminium foil
  • Oven
  • Rolling pin/wine bottle/meat hammer

Directions:

  1. Cabbage: Peel away an outer leaf and wash thoroughly.
  2. Dry the leaf thoroughly and cut out the hard stem.
  3. Place the cabbage leaf on the counter, and with a rolling pin bruise the leaf to release the juice within.
  4. Wrap cabbage in foil and place in the oven for a few minutes to warm them, but not make them hot.
  5. Place cabbage directly over the affected area.
  6. Cover the leave with bandage or gauze and elevate the area.
  7. Keep cabbage compress on for up to an hour. Repeat 2-3 times per day and change cabbage leaf every time. You should start to feel the benefits by the next day.
  8. Optional: To make a cold compress, refrigerate the cabbage before you begin the process above and remove #5.

The reason we want to use red cabbage is that it contains anthocyanins (the chemical that gives red cabbage its color) and anthocyanins are known to reduce joint pain and inflammation. Both red and green cabbage are studied for their other health properties and healing effects of cabbage juice on ulcers.

Warning: Cabbage allergies are rare, but swelling or itching where the cabbage is placed means it needs to be removed immediately. Consult your doctor if irritation continues or worsens.

*Article originally appeared at Healthy Holistic Living.