20 Amazing Benefits Of Cabbages For Skin, Hair And Health

Green, leafy and wholesome, cabbage is a low calorie vegetable. A popular choice in salad recipes, this fibre-rich vegetable offers a host of benefits. Read on to discover the amazing benefits of this hardy vegetable.

Cabbage is an important member of the brassica family which also includes broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. It is a round and leafy vegetable that is believed to have originated in the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Available all the year round, it forms a part of a healthy diet.

 

Types of Cabbages:

Several varieties of cabbage are available to choose from – Savoy, Wombok, January King, red and green cabbages. They can be eaten raw or cooked. The taste varies from savory to gently sweet. Being rich in vitamins, iron and potassium, they are widely used in both eastern and western cuisines. Given below are a few varieties of cabbage.

1. Green Cabbage:

This is the most commonly used type. It has smooth leaves packed tightly and a round shape resembling a large ball. It is also sometimes called as Dutch white cabbage and is also available in a smaller variety known as ‘Minicab’.

 

2. Red Cabbage:

This variety is denser than the green one and has a slight peppery flavor. It is more nutritious than the green variety and is also available in smaller varieties.

 

3. Savoy Cabbage:

This is a large ball shaped cabbage having loose, darker outer leaves varying from smooth to curly. Its wrinkly leaves are great when wrapped around different fillings. This cabbage’s color varies from light green to bluish green.

 

4. Wombok:

Also known as Chinese cabbage, this variety is basically oval shaped with crinkly leaves having white veins. It is pale green in color and available in a ‘baby wombok’ size.

 

Skin Benefits of Cabbage:

Leafy greens are considered great for skin, and cabbage is no exception. Cabbage contains ‘indole-3-carbonile’ which is a powerful antioxidant. It is responsible for detoxifying your liver. This is beneficial for the skin as well because it removes the toxins, which if accumulated in the blood, cause dull and blemished skin. Thus, the skin benefits of eating cabbage are many.

 

1. Anti-ageing benefits:

Regular consumption of cabbage along with other cruciferous vegetables can provide anti-ageing benefits to the skin. The rich amount of Vitamin C in this vegetable keeps the skin youthful and delays the ageing process. Moreover, Vitamin A in cabbage juice  works together with Vitamin D to make your skin clear and healthy. It also avoids the destruction of skin cells due to ultraviolet rays.

 

2. Healing properties:

Cabbage has excellent skin healing properties. When used as a poultice, cabbage is effective in curing skin eruptions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, rashes, insect bites, leg ulcers and wounds. It helps cure arthritis as well. You can prepare the poultice by grating or processing some cabbage in a blender. Wrap the content mixed with some water in a cloth. Place it on the affected area for about 15 minutes. You can also crush the leaves and apply them directly on the affected areas. Regular application of this poultice as well as eating cabbage can help you heal faster.

 

3. Provides flawless skin:

It is appreciable for its beautifying effects and it also has a role in promoting healthy skin. If you are suffering from pimples or other skin irritations, cabbage can be the solution. All you need to do is to steam the upper leaves of cabbage and remove all the veins. Compress the leaves between a linen cloth and cotton to make them smooth and soft. Place the compress on the affected area over night and experience spotless skin next morning.

 

4. Vitamin E improves skin complexion:

Its juice is also excellent for improving complexion. It has potassium in it which is instrumental in purifying your body and skin. The high levels of Vitamin A rejuvenate your tissues while sulfur helps in fighting the infection. Vitamin E is often used as an ingredient in skincare products and supplements. The ultimate result is glowing and fairer skin.

 

5. Sulfur prevents acne:

Sulfur is considered as ‘Nature’s beauty mineral’. Because of its drying effect, it plays an important role in drying acne and breakouts. Moreover, it is vital for the synthesis of keratin, a protein substance that is essential for healthy hair, nails and skin. It also helps in cleansing your blood and removing bacteria and toxins from your body.

 

6. Cleansing property:

Its juice is extremely effective in cleansing your body as cabbages are abundant in Vitamin C. If you are suffering from acne, drinking cabbage juice can help in clearing it up. Cabbage juice can also heal infected gums caused by gingivitis.

 

Hair Benefits of Cabbage:

Being loaded with nutrients such as vitamins, calcium, sulfur, iron and magnesium, cabbage is equally beneficial for your hair. Some of the benefits of cabbage for hair are given below.

 

7. Stimulates hair growth:

Just like other green vegetables, cabbage has a high content of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is an antioxidant that stimulates hair growth. Applying a mixture of boiled cabbage and freshly squeezed lemon juice on scalp can facilitate hair growth. Mash ½ cup boiled cabbage and 1/8 cup fresh lemon juice in a blender to form a thick paste. Massage this mixture on your scalp, leave it for 30 minutes and then shampoo and condition your hair as usual. This can be done twice a week.

 

8. Smooth and healthy hair:

Cabbage nourishes your hair, thus providing you with silky, shining hair. Apply its juice on your scalp and the roots of your hair. Shampoo your hair after an hour. This will make your hair smooth and silky.

 

9. Prevents hair loss:

Raw cabbage and cucumber juices are rich in silicon and sulfur, two vital minerals that stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. Apply a mixture of 30 ml cabbage juice and 30 ml cucumber juice on your scalp and hair roots, massage thoroughly for 10-15 minutes before going to bed and wash off the next morning. This should be done thrice a week for maximum benefits.

 

10. Conditions dry hair:

Raw cabbage juice is also beneficial for dry hair as it makes it soft and shiny. Try drinking a mixture of 80 ml of raw carrot and cucumber juice and 40 ml of raw cabbage juice to get healthy and beautiful hair.

 

Health Benefits of Cabbage:

 

11. Helps prevent cancer:

There are many properties in cabbage that help fight cancer causing cells. These ingredients include dindolylmethane (DIM), sinigrin, lupeol, sulforaphane and indole 3 – carbinol (I3C). The sulforaphane and the I3C compounds are known to increase anti cancer effects.

 

12. Immunity booster:

It has a very high content of Vitamin C. Thus cabbage helps in strengthening one’s immunity system and also assists in curbing free radicals.

 

13. Anti-inflammatory properties:

It is also very rich in amino acids which help fight inflammation.

 

14. Eliminates the risk of cataract:

The beta carotene content in cabbage helps in prevention of macular degeneration of the eyes and thus, keeps cataract at bay.

 

15. Reduces risk of Alzheimer’s disease:

The latest research states that consuming cabbage, especially the red ones, can prevent Alzheimer’s. Vitamin K that is widely found in cabbage is responsible for this.

 

16. Helps in treatment of peptic ulcers:

Peptic or stomach ulcers are healed by consumption of cabbage. Its juice has anti ulcer properties owing to its high content of glutamine.

 

17. Assists in weight loss:

It is considered to be the best dish for those who constantly watch their weight. An entire cup of cooked cabbage contains merely 33 calories. Thus, a diet of cabbage soup would mean endless bowls with absolutely no weight gain.

 

18. Provides relief from constipation:

Proper digestion is facilitated due to the high fiber content in it. This helps in providing relief from constipation.

 

19. Proper skin care:

It is very rich in antioxidants which protect the skin from free radicals responsible for the signs of ageing.

 

20. Provides relief from sore muscles:

Lactic acid present in it is known to provide effective relief from sore muscles.