This Is the Reason Why Cabbage Compresses Are so Popular Worldwide!

We all know the pain and discomfort of swollen feet. Whether from a plane ride or pregnancy, an injury or simply standing too long, swollen feet is a common ailment. Beyond throwing yourself on your bed after a long day, there are a number of home remedies that can bring much needed relief.

Cabbage has been used as a folk remedy for hundreds of years to soothe painful joints. Cabbage leaves act as a diuretic, and they contain powerful anti-inflammatory compounds. Cabbage juice is rich in lactic acid, a known anti-bacterial. Applied to the skin, these compounds are remarkably effective at relieving swelling and the pain associated with it. Cabbage leaves wrapped around painful joints can help with joint pain relief.

 

• Use clean leaves and – if at all possible – ones that have been grown organically. Peel off the outer layers of cabbage and remove the hard stem. Bruise them slightly with a rolling pin or other hard cylinder.
• Use gauze or other cotton cloth to hold the leaves in place. An additional layer of plastic wrap can be applied, unless you are dressing a burn.
• Keep the cabbage wrap on the area for two to four hours. You may want to repeat the process, using new leaves. Some people apply the leaves at bedtime and keep the poultice on overnight.

Cabbage Leaves and Breastfeeding
Cabbage leaves are used by some women to help reduce breast swelling and relieve the pain and discomfort that breast engorgement or weaning a baby from breastfeeding can cause. Researchers do not know if there is a property within the cabbage itself that helps to decrease the pain and swelling, or if the swelling goes down because the cabbage leaves are acting as cold compresses.

Either way, studies show that if you’re breastfeeding and you put cold cabbage leaves directly on your breasts, it’s not only soothing, but it can be soothing can help lessen your breast pain and swelling.