Evidence supporting the use of: Cabbage leaf
For the health condition: Breast Lumps

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cabbage leaves have been used traditionally as a home remedy to alleviate breast discomfort, particularly for engorgement during breastfeeding rather than specifically for treating breast lumps. Historical and anecdotal reports suggest that applying chilled cabbage leaves to the breasts can reduce pain and swelling. The practice is rooted in folk medicine across various cultures, especially in Europe, where cabbage leaves were believed to have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Scientific studies on cabbage leaves primarily focus on their use for breast engorgement in lactating women, not for breast lumps of undetermined cause. A few small clinical trials and observational studies indicate that cabbage leaf compresses may help reduce pain and hardness associated with engorgement, potentially due to their cooling effect and possible phytochemical content (such as glucosinolates and flavonoids) that might have mild anti-inflammatory actions. However, evidence is limited and often of low methodological quality. For breast lumps, which can be due to a variety of causes (benign cysts, infections, or malignancy), there is no robust clinical evidence supporting cabbage leaves as a treatment. Their use may provide symptomatic relief from swelling, but they do not treat underlying pathology. Anyone with a new or unexplained breast lump should seek medical evaluation rather than rely on home remedies.

More about cabbage leaf
More about Breast Lumps