Cabbage Leaf Compresses for Breast Engorgement

European and American folk practice — chilled cabbage leaves inside the bra

Evidence: Traditional use — limited evidence (Cochrane: very-low-certainty evidence)

Illustration: Green cabbage (Brassica oleracea)

What it is and what it is used for

Chilled green cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea), crushed to release their juices and applied to engorged breasts. A Cochrane review found very-low-certainty evidence: some trials suggest symptom relief versus routine care, but the evidence is weak and heterogeneous.

Safety and disclaimers

Recipe

Ingredients:

Preparation:

  1. Chill the leaves, then crush the veins lightly with a rolling pin to release juices.
  2. Place inside the bra over the engorged breast for 20–30 minutes.

Dosage / directions: Repeat a few times daily as needed.

Folk history

The cabbage-leaf bra is one of the most passed-down pieces of nursing lore in the Western world — recommended by grandmothers, midwives, and eventually hospital lactation consultants. Whether it is the cold, the compression, or the cabbage itself, generations of nursing mothers swear by it.

Scientific references