How Cabbage Can Heal You

I forget how wonderful cabbage is, but when I use it: WOW! Known as the powerhouses for the gut, cabbage is a preferred fuel source of the cells that line the digestive track. Cabbage also contains number of powerful antioxidants that help to reduce stomach and colon inflammation.

Here are just a few of the many healing uses cabbage is know for:

• Bloating
• Constipation
• Weight loss
• Detox
• GERD
• Joint pain
• Hematoma
• Engorged breasts
• Headache and hangovers

Personally, I’ve just recently used it for congestion by placing cabbage leaves on my chest overnight, wrapped in ace bandages.  I also had painful lumps behind my knees after working in the garden and did the same thing with incredible results!

As a child, cabbage was the last vegetable on earth I would even consider eating.  But, as an adult, cabbage is one of my go-to cures. Who knew that such a cheap, humble looking and so widely used cabbage could work miracles?

Some apply it warm, some cold, some crush it, and some don’t.  Some wrap it ace bandages, others in plastic.  Some apply it externally; some ingest it – a food, juice or whatever.  Either which way, it works wonders!

Cabbage Fun Facts

• Cabbage has more vitamin c than oranges, great for strengthening the immune system and being one of the best anti oxidant, reducing free radicals in your body which are the basic causes of ageing.
• Cabbage is very rich in fiber. This helps retain water and forms the bulk of the food and the bowels. Thus, it is a good cure for constipation and related problems.
• Cabbage is rich is sulphur, which helps to fight infections in wounds and ulcers.
• Cabbage, being rich in iodine, helps in proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system.

Cabbage Medicinal Qualities

Uncooked cabbage is high in glutamine, an amino acid that is useful for the excellent functioning of our digestive system and immune system.  Cabbage has also been known to have therapeutic and antibacterial properties, destroying a wide variety of bacteria in the intestines.

Liberal intake of the fresh juice of this vegetable has thus been found very valuable for treating ulcers, bladder infections and other infectious disease.  Try ¾ – 1 cup of cabbage juice with 1 teaspoon of honey, twice a day.

Skinny on the Cabbage

Cabbage is considered to be an excellent home remedy for obesity. Research has shown cabbage contains a chemical called tartaric acid, which inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Substituting a meal with cabbage salad once a day is an excellent way to reduce weight.

Powerfood for Skin

Others swear by eating raw cabbage first thing in the morning it not only helps for weight management, but a cold, raw cabbage salad after exercise can also treat dry, flay skin and fatigue.  Your skin will start to glow and feel smooth, plus you’ll have energy the entire day!  Ever wondered why Russians have great skin?  Cabbage!

If your skin has pimples and other irritations, cabbage is the cure for all. Take the upper most leaves of cabbage and steam them. Then remove al the veins. Compress them between a linen cloth and cotton. The leaves by then should be smooth and soft. Keep the compress on the affected area over night. Next morning enjoy the look of a spotless skin.

Detoxification by Cabbage

Cabbage soup as a detoxification plan has gained popularity because it offers a chance to fasten your metabolism and eliminate the accumulated toxins in the body that have built up in your tissues, organs and cells over the years.

Cabbage pulls out toxins. It purifies the blood and removes toxins, primarily free radicals and uric acid. If it helps your gut stay healthy, then surely you would think that once the gut is healed the rest of the body would be healed.  God gave our bodies the amazing ability to heal itself!  Take heed to take care of your body diligently!

Try eating cabbage soup with every meal for 7 days, adding fruits and even meat, rice, or potatoes occasionally for a superb detoxification plan.

Here is a cooked cabbage soup recipe that I’ve used as part of my monthly detoxification efforts to ensure I keep a clean body against breast cancer. It is very good for you and will help greatly as part of a cabbage soup diet (a temporary jump start to good eating) for detoxification.

Cabbage Soup

• 1 head of cabbage
• 1 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
• 1 or 2 cloves of garlic
• Approximately 6 cups water

In large kettle, combine French onion soup (can substitute beef broth), chopped cabbage, chopped onions, peppers, celery and water. Add can of tomatoes (chopped) and include the juice. Set on medium-high heat until boiling. Reduce heat and add 1 clove garlic and a dash or two of hot sauce, if desired. Continue cooking until ingredients are tender, about 1 1/2 hours.

In order to achieve best results with cabbage soup detoxification, follow this cure plan, which includes eating as much cabbage soup as you want.

Sample Menu

Day 1: Cabbage soup, plus any fruit except bananas
Day 2: Cabbage soup, plus vegetables, and a baked potato (you are allowed to have butter on it) for dinner. Note that potatoes are prohibited on other days.
Day 3: Cabbage soup, plus other veggies and fruits
Day 4: Cabbage soup, organic milk, and bananas up to a maximum of 6 pieces
Day 5: Cabbage soup, up to 450 grams of fish or meat, and 6 tomatoes
Day 6: Cabbage soup, plus vegetables and beef
Day 7: Cabbage soup, plus vegetables, brown rice, and fresh fruit juice

Add more and more cabbage in your daily diet, be it your soup or be it your salad, this is going to help you live a healthier and longer life.

Eat the cabbage.  Drink the cabbage.  Wear the cabbage.  Just use the cabbage, for crying out loud!

Is there a best cabbage soup diet? There are many variations to the cabbage soup diet but the all have the same principles. Is there a best recipe for the cabbage soup? What are your favorites?