Red Cabbage was a popular variety of Cabbage in from 1600-1800. It was mostly used as a garnish to add colour and make dishes more visually appealing. This meant Red Cabbage was most often pickled to enhance the reddish-purple colouring and ensure the colour was preserved, even if the Cabbage was stored for extended periods of time. Red Cabbage was also believed to possess many of the same medical properties as other types of Cabbage, including helping to cure eye problems.
Please note this information is research based on historic documents….and is not modern advice for health and wellness!