Which diseases can be cured by the plant that named “flowering top of a cabbage”?

Broccoli extract is valuable in resolving the symptoms of Amnesia, can stifle the growth of human prostate cancer cells, to thwarting the herpes virus; beneficial in the prevention of heart diseases, helped to minimize risk for cataracts! Acts as Anti-cancer Agent:

 Broccoli extract contains a lot of anti oxidants and essential vitamins which is necessary for the proper working of the nervous tissues. Boil 250gms of Broccoli in 500 ml of water. Strain the mixture and drink the filtrate, twice daily for a month. The symptoms of Amnesia are resolved in a month. Broccoli is safe and can be used with full confidence for treating Amnesia.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, claim they have found that a chemical produced when digesting broccoli can stifle the growth of human prostate cancer cells. The findings show that 3, 3’-diindolylmethane (DIM), which is obtained by eating cruciferous vegetables in the Brassica genus, (like Broccoli) acts as a powerful anti-androgen that inhibits the proliferation of human prostate cancer cells in culture tests.

"As far as we know, this is the first plant-derived chemical discovered that acts as an anti-androgen," said Leonard Bjeldanes, professor and chair of nutritional sciences and toxicology at UC Berkeley's College of Natural Resources.

Androgen is an important hormone for the normal development and function of the prostate, but it also plays a key role in the early stages of prostate cancer, which is typically treated with anti-androgen drugs. In most cases of prostate cancer, the cancer cells develop resistance to androgen and grow independently of the hormone in later stages of the disease.

In the new study, which will be published in the June 6 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the researchers conducted a series of tests comparing the effects of DIM on androgen-dependent human prostate cancer cells as well as on their androgen-independent counterparts.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in men, but Le pointed out that the incidence of prostate cancer among men in Asia - where consumption of vegetables is higher - is significantly lower than that for men in the United States. However, the risk for Asian immigrants rises to levels comparable to American men the longer they stay in the United States, suggesting that factors such as diet and lifestyle play a role in the development of prostate cancer.

A compound found in broccoli may hold the key to thwarting the herpes virus, according to preliminary research presented Sunday at the 43rd annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICACC) in Chicago. The new findings may be one more reason to make broccoli one of your five to nine servings of fruit and vegetables each day.

Preliminary lab studies of monkey and human cells found that d-indole-methanol (DIM), a compound found naturally in broccoli, may interfere with factors that stimulate cells to reproduce. The researchers found that DIM can inhibit herpes simplex virus, which also requires these factors to reproduce.  In their study, the researchers first treated human and monkey cells with DIM. They then infected the cells with one of two strains of the herpes virus, either HSV-1, which can cause either oral or genital herpes, or HSV-2, which causes genital herpes. The researchers also infected the cells with a herpes virus strain known to be resistant to the current available drug therapy, Zovirax. According to the American Social Health Association, about 50% to 80% of adults in the U.S. have oral herpes and about one in five has genital herpes, but as many as 90% are unaware that they have the virus. As with all viruses, there is no cure. Herpes is different from other common viral infections because once it is introduced; it lives in the body for a lifetime, often without symptoms, or with periodic symptoms.

Broccoli is high in vitamins C, K, and A, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C.  The 3, 3’-Diindolylmethane found in broccoli is a potent modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anticancer compound sulforaphane. Broccoli consumption has also shown that it is beneficial in the prevention of heart disease. Broccoli is also one of the richest sources of vitamin A that is found in the produce section. Broccoli has also been shown to protect against cancer. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore have discovered that broccoli is rich in substances called isothiocyanates, chemicals shown to stimulate the body's production of its own cancer-fighting substances.

Scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston have reported that broccoli, along with spinach, helped to minimize risk for cataracts and prevent stroke.

No specific precaution needs to be followed while using broccoli. In fact, boiled broccoli has more vitamin C than an orange and as much calcium as a glass of milk, according to the USDA's nutrient database.

 Broccoli (from the Italian plural of broccolo, referring to "the flowering top of a cabbage" is a plant of the cabbage family Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). It is usually boiled or steamed, but may be eaten raw. Although boiling has been shown to reduce the levels of suspected anticancer compounds in broccoli, other preparation methods such as steaming, microwaving, and stir-frying have not been shown to reduce the presence of these compounds.