The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Katie Beth (Linden, Ca) on 09/24/2010
I wish to make my testimonial contribution:
I got an informative email a few yrs back about cabbage cures & a link to a helpful website w/ testimonials, like this one... I often forget about how wonderful cabbage is, but when we use it, wow! So far, personally, we've used it for congestion (cabbage leafs over chest, wrapped in ace bandages, OVERNIGHT). We all got results to varying degrees. I just tried it (warm this time)on these 2 painful lumps I just found behind my knee. I only did it for a few hrs and the pain was about 80% gone for a few hours. It seems to work much better if left overnight, so I'll try that tonight. I also ate raw cabbage yesterday morning, not knowing half this, and expelled worms! ;)
As you can see, cabbage works. We've used it a few times for congestion, on my mother in law for hers..... And my grandma in her 80's, on her knee... She says she hasn't had any more knee trouble since she did the cabbage leaf cure I recommended. ;) The hard part is remembering this easy cure!! ;)
Cabbage pulls out toxins... Maybe it's the alkalinity of it... Or the sulphur... ?? But it works! ;)
Some apply it warm, some cold, some crush it, some don't... Some wrap in ace bandage, some in plastic wrap (I'm gonna try that next time! -Produces more sweating).... Some apply it externally, some ingest it.... As food or juice, which ever.... Either which way, it's working wonders! The hard part is remembering this easy cure!! ;) So don't you forget it!! ~Cabbage!! I did just find a website that warned the cabbage family can prevent thyroid function, so keep in mind. I'm currently getting mine checked... So being careful, but if it helps your gut health this much, surely I'd THINK (this in my opinion only- based upon all previous research, knowledge & learning) that once the gut is healed, the rest of the body will be able to be healed also... God is good! He gave the body the ability to heal itself!! -IF we just take care of our bodies diligently!! ;)
Eat the cabbage, drink the cabbage, wear the cabbage... Just use the cabbage, for crying out loud!! ;)
Blessings to you all! Katie-Beth
Broad Benefits
Posted by Carol (South Holland, IL) on 10/25/2006
★★★★★
Eating Raw Cabbage for stomach pain. Also used the cabbage leaves to relieve the pain in my breast after my baby was born, and to dry up the flow of milk. It stopped the stomach pain from fibroid tumors. I believe it will completely heal my stomach if I continue to eat both the red and green cabbage raw. The Lord told me to do this to relieve the pain and it worked! I never knew about the extensive healing properties found in the cabbage before.
Joint Pain
Posted by Victor (USA) on 06/26/2007
★★★★★
Raw cabbage and cabbage juice relieves joint pain and swelling in my hands, and it works fast.
Fungi and Parasites
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 04/28/2009 490 posts
★★★★★
Here is a recipe for people in need of probiotics & little money. It is said the cabbage juice will purify the G I tract & kill most strains fungi, parasites and other pathogens. Instructions are to drink this juice (1/2 cup juice & finish filling cup with water) 2 to 3 times per day. Since most vegetables are supposed to work, except for tomatoes) you can probably boost its kick with utilizing some of those so called weeds from the yard (dandelion, dock, broad leaf plantain, wild mustard, shepherds purse, wild onions, etc). Drink until your stools float in the toilet bowl and are odor free. The cabbage can be eaten for extra benefit after straining.
Cultured Cabbage Juice
Fill blender with chopped green cabbage. Add distilled water until 2/3 full. Blend on hiigh for 1-2 minutes. Pour out into large bowl and repeat for 2 more batches.
Cover with cheese cloth, gauze or stocking and let stand at room temperature X 3 days. Strain to separate juice & pulp. Place cultured cabbage juice in refrigerator.
When supply gets low start new batch, but add 1/2 cup of cultured juice (Starter) and new batch will be ready in 24 hours.
Acid Reflux
Posted by Carolyn (Jamaica) on 03/08/2017
★★★★★
Acid reflux: I have tried bush cabbage, whereby you extract the juice by using a blender . I just take a 3 ounces of the liquid every morning for two weeks and it works like a charm.
GERD
Posted by Sarah (Brussels, Belgium) on 05/20/2007
★★★★★
A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with GERD and I suffered from acid reflux and heartburn. The medication prescribed by the doctor rather worsened my situation and I suffered a number of side effects from it. I came across a site suggesting that drinking raw cabbage juice cures acid reflux and other problems related to the stomach, such as ulcer.I did further research to confirm this and decided to give it a try.
The general suggested daily dosage is about a quart [800ml] of raw cabbage juice to be taken about 4 times daily. I found that rather too much and I started with 400ml [100ml x 4].I noticed great improvement and after one week I reduced the dosage to 300ml [100ml x 3]. After about 3 weeks of the whole therapy, I decided to take only 200ml a day. Those with stomach ulcers or acute cases of acid reflux might need to take the full dosage.
I have stopped drinking cabbage juice since about 10 months now and I haven't had any serious reflux problems. For those who would like to try it, PLEASE NOTE that it is said to have strong impact on the thyroid glands [the more reason why I never consumed 800ml a day!]. Not to mention the stench - it is better stored in an air-tight water bottle and kept in the fridge. Good luck to all, and thanks for the great site.
Constipation, Weight Loss
Posted by Balaram (Morden, Surrey, Uk) on 06/27/2011
★★★★★
As I eat raw cabbage early in the mourning at emty stomach, it react me awefully and it relieved my constipetion. As cabbage has content of tartoric acid it helps me to reduce my weight as well. Thank to Earth Clinic.
Breasts, Sore/Engorged
Posted by Ann (Paris, France) on 06/24/2009
★★★★★
A few years ago, my daughter having had her baby and having chosen to breast feed her, began getting "knots" in her breasts. Apparently the baby was not drinking enough milk to have a smooth flow and the milk was causing congestion in the ducts. The result was very hard and painful swollen breasts.
I believe this is a situation that many nursing mothers face. We tried using fresh cabbage leaves and it worked miracles! Just take the individual leaves, dip in boiling water for a couple of minutes to soften; let cool till warm and wrap the breasts in 2 or 3 layers of leaves. Cover with a warm damp towel and leave for an hour or so, then repeat until the breasts have become supple once again.
Try it, it works! Cabbage works for alot of other types of congestion and swelling and even for wounds. It's a great home remedy.
Sprains
Posted by Treef (Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England) on 05/08/2009
★★★★★
Hi. About forty years ago I badly sprained my left knee when the heel of my shoe broke. Since that time it occasionally becomes extremely painful, with a large swelling on the inside of the knee (I mean the side towards the other leg). A few years ago, however, I read about using cabbage leaves to treat joint pain and so thought I would give it a go. Hey presto! It worked. This is the treatment: Take some large dark green cabbage leaves and cut out the hard stalks. Next, in their raw state, crush them using a rolling pin until the juice starts to run a little. Then wrap them around the knee--right around and overlapping--and then apply a crepe support bandage to hold them firmly in place. This is best done just before bedtime. Go to bed, get a good night's sleep with your cosy knee held firmly in place, and wake up smelling like a compost heap. Unwrap the bandage, discarding the leaves, and test the leg gently. It works for me and also for a student I once had on a dance/drama course. He was about 16 and practically crippled with the pain from a knee that the doctors could do nothing about. He tried this remedy--and yes, it worked for him too! Excellent website--thank you.
Stomach Ulcers
Posted by Marco (Fort Worth, TX) on 01/08/2009
★★★★★
Cabbage Juice is a great remedy for stomach ulcers. Most people see improvement about 5 days after starting to drink the juice. I used it for an ulcer that had been bothering me for months and I felt significantly better and pain free after only the first day of my supplementation. It's pretty simple.
Just buy cabbage from any store, most are average size and vary little from one to another. I usually slice off about half an inch off any side of the cabbage and put it into a blender. I add about 1 cup of distilled water and blend for a full minute. I let it set for about 5 minutes and then drink it down, pulp and all.
The taste is very plain. The only thing that will bother most people at first is the smell. But its very easy to drink - not bitter or foul tasting. You'll only taste it if you convince yourself it tastes like it smells, which I did at first. You generally do 3 cups a day, spaced out, until you ulcer is healed, which is usually 4-10 days for most people. If you're not seeing a doctor, its best to continue a couple of weeks as the cabbage juice relieves the pain of an ulcer, which may deceive some people into thinking it has actually healed in full. Changing your diet to avoid foods that irritate your ulcer (fats for most people are the irritants) is also crucial to healing.
Cabbage may also work for other digestive ailments. A cup of blended cabbage juice contains millions of friendly bacteria. There is actually significant scientific evidence out there that supports cabbage juices beneficial properties for ulcers and the digestive system in general. It's a very cost effective treatment and is definitely preferable to harmful antacids.
Traditional Uses of Cabbage:
Posted by Alexander (Jacksonville, Fl) on 02/14/2013
A Question about the recipe for enlarged prostate: Why pour out half of the water? You can steam the cabbage in any amount of water in a well-covered pot and not need to dispose of any amount of water, which is a diluted juice. Anything wrong with this recipe modification?
Fermenting
Posted by Bob (Attica, Ny) on 08/20/2011
The best thing you can do for any thyroid condition is to take a good quality nascent iodine. It is different than the type of iodine in Lugal's Solution. It's in the atomic form, which is immediately absorbed by the body and goes straight to the thyroid. You want to take a 200 mcg dose in about 2 ounces of unchlorinated, unfluoridated water every 2-3 hours. Iodine is metabolized by the body in about 3 hours so small doses every few hours is better than one big dose a day. Also best taken on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Iodine is easily bound up and oxidized by proteins when mixed with foods, rendering it useless. Also nascent iodine is energizing, so it can cause sleep problems if taken before bed.
Contrary to false information spread by many ill informed doctors, iodine isn't added to bread and hasn't been since the 60's. It was replaced by bromide. In fact since then iodine has been replaced in all other foods with other halogens (bromide, fluoride and chloride) which makes the problem exponentially worse. They have essentially caused widespread thyroid problems and major iodine deficiencies. Those other halogens bind to thyroid receptors and prevent iodine from being absorbed. It takes a substantial amount of iodine (through loading) to shake those other halogens free from receptors and get them removed from the body. That is if you are not shooting yourself in the foot and constantly ingesting the other halogens (breads, fluoride toothpaste, chlorinated and/or fluoridated water) This will make the iodine you do take much more effective.
Good way to tell how efficiently your body is absorbing the iodine is by taking a standard 200mcg dose of nascent iodine and then pay attention to the color of your urine when using the restroom. Iodine will make your urine bright yellow, like B-vitamins do, so if it is bright yellow it is being poorly absorbed and passing right through you. Btw, if you think you are getting enough iodine by using iodized table salt, you are wrong. Not only is it a poorly absorbed form of iodine, but you would have to eat about 200 grams of it daily. The 2 best things a person can do for their health is to start supplementing with a high quality nascent iodine and remove all soy and all its bi-products (oils, proteins, lectins, lecithin, etc. ) from their diets. Everyone should be doing it.
Bloating
Posted by Crystal (Salyersville, Ky, Usa) on 09/18/2010
Cabbage acts like a diuretic. You can cook it, fry it or eat it raw. Either way should help the bloating... if it's due to fluid retention.
Bloating
Posted by Friend (Brasil) on 09/18/2010
Raw cabbage is great for promoting good intestinal flora... That's why your doctor was suggesting it, it will completely change your digestion for the better. Boiling it will destroy most of its enzymes and other nutrients. Why don't you try eating it raw, starting from very little, working your way up? Another option would be to add it to daily green smoothies, or even making sauerkraut (very easy to do). Good luck!
Hematoma
Posted by Christine Keitel (Melbourne, Australia) on 09/19/2007
★★★★★
I had a huge hematoma on my left shin from a bad fall last year. My Physiotherapist said it was the largest hematoma he had ever seen and was not responding to treatment as it should. He then suggested to me to go home and buy some big fresh dark green outside leaves of a cabbage, smother my hematoma with Voltaren cover over with the cabbage leaf and then wrap in plastic or glad wrap as we call it here. I did this every night and it shrunk in size amazingly everytime I did it. Only at night when you go to bed though it does not work as well during the day but could try it. I must tell you the doctor who sent me to the physio was absolutely amazed how this worked on my hematoma when traditional methods had failed and also can I say saved me from an operation where I would have probably been left with a rather large dent in my leg!!!
GERD
Posted by Gail (Port Charlotte, Florida, U.s.a.) on 01/29/2011
Cabbage Juice for Gerd
I have recently been looking at the good uses for cabbage juice and am interested in buying a juicer for myself and husband. Since I have GERD and have been taking prescribed Meds for years for it, I now want to get off of them. I also have Hypothyroidism and am on meds for that. Can I take the cabbage juice regimen?
Recipes
Posted by Traveler (Dallas Tx) on 02/06/2014
Here is my current favorite cabbage salad recipe--
Dice up, grate, or use a mandolin to cut up the following:
- 1/2 head red cabbage
- 1/2 head green cabbage
- 1 fuji apple
- 1/2 red onion (I actually use 1/4 since I'm not a fan of onion)
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- Put that all in a bowl, and then in a smaller bowl whisk the following dressing to put over it:
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I put this amount and then add extra cayenne to each plate I serve myself)
- 1/3 cup greek yogurt (full fat or non fat is fine.)
- 2 teaspoons agave nectar OR honey (I use honey)
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (I used poppy seeds)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
Mix that all up and you should be able to eat off of it for a few meals depending on how man you're serving. It lasted about a day between my partner and I, but I'll admit I ate it for three different meals as well as a few other things because it tastes so good :)
Fermenting
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci) on 08/23/2011
Bob, Thank you for suggestions re use of iodine. I'll print off your response and take to my doctor when I see her next and ask her advice. My doctor is quite good and understanding adn also takes into consideration how I feel and doesn't just rely on my blood test results.
Fermenting
Posted by Wendy (Ontario, Canada) on 03/21/2011
I would love to learn more too. I have been following Donna Gates teachings and using a culture - I did up a big batch in 3 different jars and thought I followed the youtube videos closely but it didn't turn out ;-) I had lock down jars and some of the brine leaked out of all of them in the first 2 days. I read online some say this is normal. But then my batches were too dry and I got mold on top ;-(
Fermenting
Posted by Adrienne (Dayton, Ohio) on 04/14/2011
I have a simple way to ferment cabbage...
1 head nappa cabbage, 1/2 onion(color no matter), 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 tsp soy sauce, 1/4 apple, 1/4 cup red pepper paste
cut up your cabbage and put into a big bowl with the salt... Let wilt till it about half of what it was. While your waiting blend up your onion and apple to a paste and set aside, then blend the red pepper flakes till it is a power add a few drops of water to make a paste. When cabbage is wilted enough drain the water and wash off the salt. I pat dry with a towel. Add to your bowl of cabbage all other items.. And mix well.. This will be a bit spicy.. When it is mixed together I put it in a glass mason jar with a lid.. And keep in the fridge it will last about a mo... I eat it with rice or beans but I do it every day for my joints and other issues.
Fermenting
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci ) on 08/17/2011
Does the sauerkraut have the same effect on hypothyroid conditions as does other raw crucifers? Or does the fermantation process makes the cabbage go easy on the thyroid? Can I safely eat sauerkraut without worrying about it interferring with thyroid function? If it does interfere with thyroid function if eaten in large quanitties, is it ok to eat in small quanitities on a daily basis?
Fermenting
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci) on 08/19/2011
Does anyone have an answer to this whether eating sauerkraut can worsen the Hashimoto's hypothyroid, as sauerkraut is made with cabbage, which is a Cruciferous vegetable which can cause problems for thyroid. I have been eating some sauerkraut as probiotic for the last 2 months, but want to be cautious as I have Hashimoto's disease.
Fermenting
Posted by Lisa (Rabat, Morocco) on 08/19/2011
From what I understand, fermented foods still can cause problems for the thyroid. The fermenting process does not get rid of the goitrogens and I believe it can actually make them more bioavailable. I think if you eat sauerkraut once in a while it is okay, but I wouldn't eat it everyday. There are probably better ways to get your probiotics.
Fermenting
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci) on 08/20/2011
Thanks, Lisa. I will use the sauerkraut sparingly. Unfortunately, the other probiotics like Kefir is fermented milk, and I am allergic to milk. And Miso is fermented soy and soy again is not good for hypothyroid. I guess that leaves me with the option of probiotic pills.
Fermenting
Posted by Jasmine (Kitchener, On) on 05/29/2016
What is the reason to abstain from the soy products? Comment made at the end of your iodine post.
Fermenting
Posted by Maria (Gippsland, Australia) on 08/22/2011
There are miso's that you could use that are not made from soy but made from barley or rice, and they are yummy (if you like miso that is). You could try "water kefir". Just buy the water kefir grains and brew your own. Plus you could also make your own rejuvalac or kombuccha tea.
Fermenting
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci) on 08/23/2011
Thanks Maria. I will try to locate Miso that does not contain soy.
Fermenting
Posted by Jc (Boston, Ma) on 08/23/2011
Since you mentioned you have Hashimotos you need to be careful with iodine. It can cause more inflamation in your thyroid and ultimately more damage. I am not saying don't take Iodine. Just be very cognizant of your body as you take it.
Dr. Brownstien who is a big proponent of taking Iodine(Lugols or Iodoral), believes Hashimotos is casue by a lack of iodine, He strongly recommends taking "Companion supplements" while taking Iodine. These have an antioxidant effect and help minimize or eliminate any inflamation. They include 3g or more of Vit C, Magnesium 400mg or more, Selenium 200-400mcg, and Unrefined Sea Salt. The salt helps detox the halogens clogging up the iodine receptors describe earleir.
Anyone with Hashi needs Vit D to help modulate the immune system. Get tested as you want your level to be 50-80. NAC is also a good idea to help with glutathione production. 500 mg 2x a day on an empty stomache. An excellent antioxidant!
Recipes
Posted by Kelly (Cinti, Ohio) on 03/18/2011
★★★★★
This is not a raw recipe as the soup is cooked but, it is very good for you and will help greatly as part of the 7-day cabbage soup diet ( a temporary jump start to good eating) good soup for weight loss and blood sugar control is the cabbage soup diet soup. Another EC contributor suggested to break up the manotony was to put the soup in a blender while warm enough to eat. What a difference! It was yum-yum. I had to make some personal revisions, but I'll explain:
1 head of cabbage I bunch of celery
3 large fresh tomatoes/10-15oz. can tomatoes
1 bunch green onions 1 large onion
1 bell pepper 1 pkg. dried french onion soup
approx. 6 cups water 1 or 2 cloves of garlic
there are other variations but this is closest to the original. My recipe differs in that: 1) as it cooks I sub can chicken or beef broth and add water instead of the onion soup packet 2) I delete the tomato as the tomato /cabbage combo gives me heartburn. 3) I take 1 tbsp olive oil and sautee the garlic and onion first. 4) right before the blender I add my spices sage, parsley, blackpepper.
***** warning--if you have gallbladder issues delete the cabbage, I did not know cabbage can bring on a gallbladder attack**** (gallbladderattack.com)
using the blender method gives it a completely different taste and it brought my bs down from 180 to 100.
God Bless! Kelly
Fermenting
Posted by Robin (Alamogordo, Nm) on 03/12/2011
If you find that the raw cabbage gives you gas, try fermenting it before eating it. Cabbage and its relatives want to ferment, so it's fermenting in your gut. To avoid this, just let it work in a jar and then eat it. All the fermantation is over and you get the same benefits, also its DELICIOUS.
Fermenting
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci) on 03/21/2011
How would you ferment the cabbage? Can you please give the detailed process? Thank you.
Fermenting
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 03/21/2011
Hi, here in the Alsace you can buy fermented cabbage everywhere, so can you in more European countries. Maybe you should ask where you live? Sometimes things do exist but we don't know where to find them. I buy it at my butcher's but also in any supermarket and you can eat it in many restaurants. Never tried to make it myself though....... Here it is called "choucroute", the Dutch call it "zuurkool", the Germans "sauerkraut"...
Fermenting
Posted by Bev (Long Beach, Ca) on 04/14/2011
This sounds like kem chi. I love Kim Che.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Tina (Menlo Park, California) on 01/09/2013
What an awesome post! Thanks for spreading the great cures. I tried eating a bowl of shredded green cabbage and raw ACV last night, my arthritis pain seemed to diminish a lot! It could be the sulfur in the cabbage as I heard lots of people who take MSM have the same positive affect on their joint pain. I will try the raw cabbage salad more regularly and will report back
