Our kitchens are filled with medicine. That’s right.

Real medicines that can potentially help us feel better.

These medicines come in the form of foods and spices.

But they contain powerful compounds that can help reduce inflammation and help fight nasty microbes.

Have you ever heard the old saying, “Let food by thy medicine and medicine be your food.”

This phrase was apparently coined by Hippocrates, somewhere around the 4th century BC.

It’s still true today.

One food that’s gotten a lot of buzz lately is cabbage.

It’s a popular remedy for “drawing” pain and toxins from the body.

I know it sounds a little hokey. But this is age-old folk remedy is now backed by science.

Can Cabbage Leaf Wraps Relieve Pain?

Apparently, researchers have found that cabbage leaves do seem to have a positive effect on knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, according to a study published in the Clinical Pain Journal. (You can see a link to this study below.)

The authors found that cabbage leaf wraps were not as effective as a topical gel that contains pharmaceutical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, otherwise known as NSAIDS.

However, this topical drug has potential side effects. (As do all drugs.) These include digestive upset, dizziness, nausea and increased blood pressure.

This is also a fairy pricey drug, so some people may not be able to afford it.

Also, this drug is not considered effective against nerve pain.

I have nerve pain. So it makes no sense for me to use this topical pharmaceutical gel.

Cabbage leaves, though, are another story.

(Plus, I’m a big fan of natural medicine and natural solutions whenever possible.)

Cabbage leaves would be a good addition to my natural medicine cabinet.

I’m always looking for new natural pain relievers because I find they work best when I use a lot of them, rotating them to allow for breaks in between each remedy.

Cabbage leaves are non invasive and don’t seem to have any side effects. (However, like anything else, if your health situation is complicated or if you’re taking medication, check with your doctor first.)

Apparently, cabbage leaf wraps have been used medicinally for centuries, for pain, swelling and other conditions.

Do Cabbage Leaves Help You Detox?

Cabbage leaves are often recommended for detox. But file this away under folk remedies that may help. I couldn’t find any studies on whether this is what actually happens.

I have used them myself, over my liver. I think they help. It seemed to make me a little light headed. But I can’t say for sure I was detoxing, as I don’t have a home laboratory to measure results.

Some natural health experts believe they work.

However, I was unable to find any studies that prove this.

If you do use cabbage leaves over your liver, abide by the standard recommendation of no longer than 1/2 hour. Don’t eat them afterwards, as it’s believed they contain toxins. And, by all means, if you have chronic health problems talk with your doctor first.

Do Cabbage Leaf Wraps Work?

I did find another study on cabbage leaves and breast engorgement in nursing mothers though. Compared to cool packs, cabbage leaves were superior.

The authors of this research, published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies, even recommended cabbage leaves to “postnatal mothers to manage breast engorgement.”

(This appears encouraging in terms of resolving blockages. But still doesn’t prove toxins are drawn into the cabbage leaf.)

However, if you’re nursing, check with your doctor first. By all means, use organic cabbage leaves if you’re using them to relieve breast engorgement.

Disclaimer

 These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

For More Reading

Application of Cabbage Leaves in Nursing Mothers

Cabbage Leaf Wraps and Rheumatoid Arthritis