Following is the articl that was printed in the Jerusalem Post on November 26,
1994:
CABBAGE SOOTHES THE SAVAGE BREAST by Judy Siegel
A new mother who places leaves of green cabbage inside her bra for an hour a
day will be relieved of breast engorgement, and wearing cabbage leaves
continuously can halt lactation completely in less than 24 hours.

This method was proven effective in a scientific study conducted at Haifa's
Rambam Hospital.

Tovi Gish, an obstetrics nurse at Rambam, had heard of this folk remedy in the
U.S. and suggested that it be tested here.  Fifteen new mothers tried the
vegetable technique, and 15 others used conventional means of treating
engorgement (warm compresses and massage) and halting lactation (drugs)

The research, conducted by Rambab's Silvi Ackerman, in conjunction with Tamar
Shema of Haifa's Bnai Zion Hospital and Rahel Reches of Assaf fHarofeh Hospital
in Tzifim, provided clear results:  The cabbage worked.

Shema said that green (but not red) cabbage contains sulfa compounds, which
pass through the skin, constrict vessels, and slow milk flow.

Placing cabbage leaves on the breasts for half an hour, morning and evening,
relieves engorgement.  Putting leaves in the bra and replacing them frequently
over a period of six to 22 hours halts milk flow completely, she said.

The technique is not recommended for women who are allergic to sulfa or
cabbage, she added.  But since compresses and massage are not always very
effective in reducing milk pressure, and since drugs can cause harmful side
effects, the "salad cure" is a welcome alternative, Shema said.

Rambam is already using it on all women with these problems.  It has prepared a
leaflet to explain how it works for other hospital obstetrics departments who
are expected to adopt the method.

The following post is a letter to the editor.

Yaffa Stark, MA, IBCLC