Origin: Bamboo can grow everywhere in the world except the places with extremely cold temperature. It is believed that China is the first country to use and cultivate Bamboo.
Bamboo has a very strong and significant meaning in East Asian culture, it signifies longevity and friendship. It also represents warding off evil.
Scientifically: Bamboo plant comprises of more than 1200 species. Bamboo is a woody, perennial plants. It belongs to the true grass family called Poaceae. This plant usually grows in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Bamboo is categorized among different 90 genera in the subfamily Bambusoideae and the tribe Bambuseae. Though the bamboo is a grass, they are very tree-like in appearance and therefore it is also called "bamboo trees".
Bamboos are not like any other grasses. Bamboos grow very tall, reaching heights of up to 30-40 meters (98 feet).
Usage: Bamboos are also very beneficial to the ecosystem, they help in providing food for the pandas, gorillas, and elephants. Bamboo is extremely useful by humans for its culinary, medicinal, construction, artistic, cosmetic and ornamental benefits. Bamboo shoots are used in making different Asian dishes and broths, pickled bamboo is also used as a condiment. The sap of the young bamboo is used to make beverages. In Chinese medicine, bamboo is used to ward off infections. The processed and maintained bamboo is used to make furniture, fences, etc. Carving bamboo is a traditional practice in China. It is used to make decorative items. Bamboo is also one of the main ingredients in cosmetics these days.
Consuming bamboo is great for heart health, it also induces weight loss and boosts the immune system. Eating bamboo shoots helps in getting phenolic acid into the body. It also works wonders for the skin and hair.
Below are some DIYs with bamboo for amazing skin and hair:
- Take some bamboo leaves and bamboo shoots, boil them in some water until reduced to half. Let this water chill for some time and then use it as a hair rinse after the shampoo. Keep the hair rinse for 30 minutes. This helps in making hair stronger and thicker.
- Take some bamboo powder and mix some water to make a thick paste. Apply this paste on the face and neck for 15 minutes. Rinse later. This helps in deep nourishing of the skin.
- Take some fresh bamboo extract and apply on skin and hair for 30-40 minutes. It is great for moisturizing the skin and gives a soothing effect.
- Mix a tablespoon of the bamboo extract with some fresh aloe vera gel. Apply this on the face for 15 minutes. This helps in achieving smoother, firmer and plumper skin.
- Boil some bamboo stalks with bamboo leaves and aloe vera gel in some water. Boil until reduced half and thickens. Use this gel on face/hair once chilled. This provides all the required nutrients to the skin and hair.