cabbage leaves for pain/inflammation

August 22, 2003

(This was so odd, but struck me as interesting, especially for those who

prefer 'natural remedies'. A few years ago we had a few posts on the

merits of blueberries, so who knows? Maybe cabbage leaves would help our

pain? Although I will look kind of wierd putting cabbage leaves on my

feet! Anyone, if you know anything about cabbage leaves, let us know.

Like Eileen said, we learn alot here! ~ Gretchen

From the Brittish Medical Journal 2003;327:451 (23 August)

Cabbage leaves can help inflammation of any body part

EDITOR—I was amazed to see the photograph submitted by Utting and

Currall.1 Not amazed that a cabbage leaf was used, but that this was

considered newsworthy.

Cabbage leaves are often used by breast-feeding women to soothe engorged

painful breasts. Their success in my personal trial of one has led to my

recommendation of them, not only to breastfeeding women but to any one

with an acutely inflamed bodily part, with reasonable success.

A cabbage stored in the fridge is cheaper than any of the exciting gel

filled pouches you can buy, and the leaves conform well to a variety of

anatomical shapes.

Alison Munns, general practitioner

Hall Grove Group Practice, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire

Competing interests: Mother and user of product.

-----------AND THIS is in the same journal BMJ 2003;327:451 (23 August)

Cabbage leaves are poor man's poultice

EDITOR—Freshly washed cabbage leaves are known in European folk medicine

as the poor man's poultice. There is nothing new about this ancient

remedy used to help reduce all types of painful swelling. You may even

find that there is a cache of cabbage in the fridge of your local

maternity unit.

So there is nothing freakish or stupid about the woman pictured in

Minerva who used it over her painful knee.1

Helen M Woodman, registered breastfeeding counsellor (voluntary)

National Childbirth Trust 4 Greenfield Way, Storrington, Pulborough

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