Cabbage For Health and Beauty

Cabbage is a mine of vitamins, fiber and other minerals like calcium, iron, sulphur, phosphorous etc. A small head of cabbage usually has a higher concentration of vitamin C than a larger one. The outer leaves of the cabbage contain more minerals than the inner ones.

 Medicinal value:
According to a study, fresh cabbage juice has been found have a remarkable success in treating ulcers. According to BBC Health, eating vegetables from the cabbage family can reduce the risk of lung cancer.

Extracts of cabbage when combined with chemotherapy have been found to kill breast cancer cells and could have wider implications for several other types of cancer, says the The Telegraph. Eating four or more servings per week of raw or lightly cooked cabbage may significantly reduce their risk of breast cancer later in life. (Courtesy: MedPage Today). According to another study, cabbage is found to reduce the risk of some forms of cancer including colorectal cancers. Though cabbage is sometimes associated with flatulence, its huge health benefits cannot be ignored.

Health Benefits & Home Remedies With Cabbage

To treat acute inflammation

According to Wikipedia, cabbage is known to have been used in European folk medicine to treat acute inflammation. A paste of raw cabbage may be placed in a cabbage leaf and wrapped around the affected area to reduce discomfort.

To treat anemia

As cabbage provides sufficient iron it gives very beneficial results of anemia patients.

To fight Obesity

According to another source, it also helps in weight reduction and hence an excellent food for obese persons. A bowl of cabbage salad fills the stomach if you eat before meals. Therefore you tend to eat much less food than you are used to. It is also good for diabetes, blisters, joint pains, burns, sores and migraine.

To prevent premature ageing

Combination of vitamins P and C in cabbage strengthens the blood vessels and also helps prevent premature ageing.

To beat breast pain 

Refrigerator-cooled, cup shaped cabbage leaves are life-savers for nursing moms. Tucked inside bras, they can ease the pain of milk-swollen breasts. These cabbage cups can also be used for painful breasts after an unfortunate miscarriage/ abortion or a still-birth. Cooked cabbage leaves also provide warm relief for breasts with pre-menstrual pain. For a custom-fit compress, boil the large outer leaves till soft, then cool to a warm temperature. Layer the leaves over tender breasts and leave on until they cool.

Cabbage as a beauty aid

For dry and wrinkled skin

Grind a couple of cabbage leaves and extract the juice. Dissolve one-fourth teaspoon of ground Brewers yeast in it and stir it in one teaspoon of honey. Mix well and apply thickly over the face. Leave on for 20 minutes and then remove it using a cotton wool soaked in water. This mask will counter any tendency towards wrinkles and dryness and will make your skin to exude radiance.

For spotty and dull complexion

Soap your face well with a mild soap adding a small handful of sugar to the lather. Massage it well and rinse off with warm water in which you have boiled cabbage and mixed with a few drops of lime juice. In a few days there will be a marked improvement in your complexion.

For dull and oily skins

Chop a few leaves of spinach and cabbage. Boil for 4 to 5 minutes. Cool and extract juice. Mix with yogurt or curds if you have a dry skin and with egg white if you have a greasy skin. Apply on the skin for 20 minutes and see your skin glow and shine.