My understanding from JHL was that it is thought that cabbage only works
because it is cold and we know the cold reduces swelling.

  However, my experiences with cabbage is the same as yours. Keep it by
the bed and reapply when wilted.  If you want to use cold only use for 20
minutes.

  It worked great for me especially after spinal surgery 4 years ago.  I
tried it on the suggestion of LC  friend who said "What could it hurt" "
You're already dying from the pain and swelling" and have been a firm
believer ever since.  Relief in two hours with a sense of "coolness " in
the area of the surgery that I really can't describe.  I slept for the
first time since coming home.  I remember it like yesterday.
************************************************
Arnetta Dailey RN IBCLC
The Woodlands Texas
[log in to unmask]
************************************************


On Tue, 18 Mar 1997 11:12:26 +0100 Diane Wiessinger <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
>I used cabbage on my cheek after oral surgery last year.  I went to
>bed
>along with books, beverages, and a small head of cabbage.  As needed,
>I'd
>tear off a leaf, rip the big vein out by hand if there was one, and
>crumple
>the leaf in my hand before tying it onto my cheek w/ a scarf (really
>cute!). When the leaf wilted, I tossed it on the floor by the bed.  At
>intervals I put a frozen pea bag in a towel over the cabbage.
>
>I figured my level of incapacitation was about that of a new or ill
>mom,
>and I *really* didn't want to keep trekking into the kitchen to
>prepare
>cabbage.  Since then, I've been suggesting that moms do what I did -
>just
>rip out the big vein if they want and crumple the rest in their hand.
>Any
>thoughts?
>
>(By the way, I needed only extra-strength acetaminophen, and only for
>a
>day, despite having been given a prescription for something potent.
>No
>noticeable swelling either.)
>
>Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC, LLLL  Ithaca, NY
>