Marie,

I looked up the article by Rosier in Breastfeeding Review (1988) and cannot
find the specific quote (Toby Gish's) about the action of cabbage. Under
"Mode of Action", it states "An unknown substance is absorbed from the
cabbage leaf through mother's skin. The effect is firstly, a substancial
reduction in oedema and an improved milk flow. However, prolonged use
appears to reduce milk supply."

This sounds more like dilation than constriction, but it doesn't
specifically say this.

Under the heading "Research", Rosier says "Enquiries have in particular
sought "scientific evidence" for the value of cabbage leaves. Little about
cabbage leaves has been documented, but some information appears in
alternative medical publications." These are listed at the end:
1. Waerland, Ebba 1972 (Revised) "Rebuilding Health"
2. Buchman, D. Dian. 1979 "Herbal Medicine" Gamercy, New York

I'm not sure where Toby got her info. Was there another article other than
Rosier's in Breastfeeding Review in 1988? Now I'm puzzled.

Joy Anderson IBCLC, NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellor,
Perth, Western Australia
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