The red cabbage is a leaf vegetable of the family of crucifers, as well as it’s green and white brothers. It is a perennial plant native to Central Europe which has many health benefits and virtues.
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Red cabbage and its health benefits
For a long time, red cabbage was considered to be an excellent pectoral, effective in lung diseases and bronchitis. Cooked cabbage, meanwhile, was used to treat inflammation of the digestive tract and cirrhosis of the liver. Today, the virtues of cabbage are recognized and it is even thought that it has a preventive action on certain cancers.
- Red cabbage is a very good source of vitamin C which helps maintain skin integrity, helps wound healing, protects cells against premature aging caused by free radicals, and aids immune function.
- Red cabbage is recommended in the treatment of dyspeptic disorders (heartburn, hiatus hernias, nausea, regurgitation, hepatobiliary dyspepsia).
It regulates the intestinal functions and calms the pains of the gastric ulcer, duodenal, and gastritis. In old medical treatises, cabbage juice was also indicated as a remedy for affections of the stomach and intestines.
- Red cabbage is a good source of calcium, essential for bone health, muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation, wound healing, and the transmission of nerve impulses.
- Rich in vitamins and minerals, red cabbage is beneficial in cases of anemia.
- Red cabbage has antioxidant and detoxifying properties that protect the body against cellular aging.
- Rich in vitamin K, red cabbage has a beneficial effect on blood thinning. Be careful, however, red cabbage is strongly not recommended for people on anticoagulant therapy.
- With its potassium intake, red cabbage reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Red cabbage juice is an excellent dewormer against pinworms and roundworms.
- Red cabbage has a beneficial hypoglycemic principle in cases of diabetes.
- Externally, raw cabbage leaves applied as a poultice help heal wounds and relieve rheumatic and muscle pains, headaches, sciatica, and aching joints.
Growing red cabbage for its benefits
- Cabbage needs a sunny but not scorching exposure and rich, deep, moist but well-drained soil.
- If you want to extend the harvest, consider staggering planting every three weeks, from April to June.
- Red cabbage is decorative, you can grow it in a 25 cm pot with non-acidic potting soil.
Red cabbage in cooking and its benefits
To keep the most of its nutrients, preferably eat your red cabbage raw or steam it while keeping it crunchy.
Nutritional intake
Raw red cabbage provides 33 kcal / 100 g , and when steamed 22 kcal / 100 g . It is rich in mineral salts and vitamins
