I really enjoy learning of new ways to use cabbage; I'm just sorry for the
reasons (Chanita, your poor feet) :-(
  Both of my kids had wisdom teeth extracted 2-3 years ago, and I wrapped
their jaws gently in cabbage leaves held in place with a loosely-wrapped Ace
bandage.  We went through a whole head for each of them.  It wasn't a good
scientific study, because I also applied ziploc bags partly filled with
crushed ice.  Each bag was wrapped in a bandana handkerchief and they were
held against the jaws with the Ace bandage.  No matter, their jaws had
almost no swelling, and there was no visible bruising.
Sara Reuning in Bristol, TN