- Brassica oleracea belongs to the Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) family. The wild form of the plant originated along the Atlantic seaboard of Western Europe and along the Mediterranean basin. Brassica oleracea has been cultivated as a vegetable for more than 2,500 years, and through selective breeding, particular characteristics of the plant have been developed. A number of types of vegetables have been derived from this wild stock through selection of favorable cultivars. Colewort (cole-plant) is the wild form; its basic domesticated forms are collard, which has enlarged leaves, and kale, which typically has curled leaves. Cabbage is another variety, whose terminal bud consists of enlarged leaves in a tight mass (a head of cabbage). Brussels sprouts are lateral buds, which appear as miniature tight forms of cabbage, and kohlrabi are the enlarged stems. Broccoli and cauliflower are inflorescences, which are clusters of flower buds atop a stem.
- The Brassica vegetables have many nutrients and bioactive substances, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, carotenoids, bioflavonoids, sulfur, dithiolethiones, and glucosinolates. The Brassica vegetables, especially cabbage, can withstand extremely cold temperatures. Thus, cabbage is a diet staple in many countries.
- Ethnic folk healers from the Hispanic and African-American communities have long used cabbage juice for yeast infections. Other traditional uses of cabbage include as a treatment for gout and rheumatism, and as a poultice to cleanse infected wounds.
- Good scientific evidence supports the use of Brassica
oleracea for treating breast engorgement in breastfeeding women. Clinical studies in humans have also investigated the potential beneficial effects of Brassica vegetables for cancer prevention, and for various conditions, such as high cholesterol and high triglycerides, fibromyalgia, and Helicobacter pylori infection.
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Brassica spp.
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Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to . Selected references are listed below
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