Scientific Name: Brassica oleracea

Description: A headless member of the cabbage family. The flowers are numerous in compact clusters. Flowers are harvested green and sold in the market as vegetable.

Traditional Uses:

• Externally used for gout and rheumatism.
• Decoctionof flowers are carminative, emollient, diuretic.
• Used for gastrointestinal maladies.
• Both leaves and flowers are used for scurvy and xerophthalmia.

Studies:

• Studies show decreased mortality rates in radiation-exposed lab animals fed broccoli and cabbage.
• Some isothiocyanates have been shown to inhibit tumors induced by chemical carcinogens.
• Rats fed with indole glucobrassicin showed lower incidence of chemically induced tumors.
• Studies also suggest compounds in broccoli can protect against macular degeneration.
• Indole-3-carbinol showed preventive effects on endometrial carcinogenesis in mice.
• Inhibitory effects of sulforaphane on H. pylori and prevents benzo-a-pyrene-induced stomach tumors.
• Cancer cells with a lot of Bcl-2 has increased resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Study showed that Bcl-2 can not protect cancer cells against vegetable phytochemical isothiocyanates.
• Compounds found in cruciferous vegetables were found to block lung cancer progression in animal studies and tests on human lung cancer cells.
• Study showed broccoli can boost antioxidants that counter chemical triggers to COPD and other negative effects of tobacco smoke.

Excerpts from: "An illustrated compilation of Philippine medicinal plants by Godofredo Stuart"