It seems that bamboo is the most versatile plant in its uses on the planet. Bamboo shoots are utilized in construction work, for making furniture, clothes, decorations, medications, and many other items. However, not many people know about a variety of uses for bamboo leaves. They are utilized in cosmetology, medicine, handicrafts, and agriculture. Let's regard the most popular uses of bamboo leaves we can think of.
What Are Bamboo Leaves?
A bamboo leaf is a very specific part of this plant that is rich in amino acids, silica flavonoids, and many minerals that can provide a wide range of benefits. It is one of the most topical things for health and beauty. The leaves can also be used for home decoration and a variety of crafts. The foliage of bamboo also makes up a perfect windbreaker and shade when growing naturally or cultivated and processed. The health benefits of bamboo leaves are also countless. The following uses of these amazing bamboo parts are important to know and apply to your everyday life.
What Are the Bamboo Leaves Benefits?
The most commonly asked question here is 'Can you eat bamboo leaves?' The answer is 'yes'. There are numerous ways of introducing this product into your diet. It contains vitamins B, C, and E that will help you to have healthy and shiny hair, clean skin, and strong nails. The leaves are also rich in selenium, iron, zinc, and manganese.
People in Eastern countries that are native to bamboo know very well how to prepare bamboo vinegar from the leaves used for improving blood circulation and many other purposes. For example, such use of it in China dates back to ancient times.
One of the most obvious benefits of this plant regarding the wide use of its stems and leaves is its fast growth. Moreover, bamboo is the most sustainable and eco-friendly plant on the globe. About 10 million tons of it are harvested and manufactured every year without any pesticides and other harsh chemicals.
What Are the Uses of Bamboo Leaves?
Thus, it is high time to recollect and reveal the most possible uses of bamboo leaves. It will become obvious that they are quite numerous so let us start.
1. Bamboo Vinegar
This product is received by boiling the leaves and then mixing them with some other ingredients to achieve the necessary acetic acid concentration. The vinegar is a distilled product that is safe and healthy for everyday use.
There is one more way of getting vinegar from bamboo leaves. It is called the bamboo carbonization. The sour fluid is received from the distillation and processing of the steam coming from it.
Bamboo vinegar is also used in the beauty industry in skin toners and hair conditioners. This application is the most popular one in Japan.
2. Bamboo Oil
This is the most holistic application of bamboo leaves benefits. You can apply the oil to your hair or skin, use it in your meals alongside other oils, or utilize it for other body parts. The oil does not cause a greasy feeling because it is quite pure and lightweight. It is received from leaves and shoots of bamboo while they are crushed and mixed with other oils functioning as carriers. The product is extremely rich in antioxidants and silica as well as in minerals and other important nutrients.
3. Bamboo Leaf Beer or Wine
As strange as it may seem, such use is quite popular. Bamboo wine is made during a complicated process. That is why it is a rather expensive product. The natural dewdrops are collected early in the morning from the leaves of bamboo, and then they are mixed with the fermented bamboo powder.
Bamboo beer is also a very interesting beverage. It is quite healthy with its antiviral and antibacterial characteristics. The beer is made as a fermented mixture of bamboo shoots and leaves together with grains. The extract is processed to get the beer.
4. Bamboo Tea
One of the most famous and appreciated bamboo leaves usages is making tea. The leaves are chopped and crushed before processing and then put into tea-bags. Such a drink is very helpful for digestion. Bamboo leaf tea is used for relieving diarrhea, flatulence, and bloating symptoms. This type of tea can also be made at home. The leaves are soaked and boiled before use, and they need to be fresh to provide the necessary effect.
5. Face Masks and Scrubs
The unique properties of these leaves abandoned in silica are used to nourish a face's skin in the form of a mask. This mask does not block the pores and helps reduce the signs of aging and irritations. You can either buy a ready product or DIY the mask. If you add some crushed bamboo leaves to it, you will get an efficient facial scrub. When adding some facial oil, your experience will become quite enjoyable and relaxing. This way of clearing up the skin is very cost-efficient and completely natural.
6. Curing Skin Irritations
You can make the substance for relieving skin irritations yourself. Just cut the leaves finely to receive a pasty consistency. Add some olive oil or honey and make the mixture homogeneous. The properties of bamboo will help lighten blemishes and disinfect the skin. The same properties can be used for the fast healing of cuts and wounds when the crushed leaves are mixed with a poultice. Before preparing the mixture, clean the leaves properly and soak them in warm water.
7. Bamboo Bio-Supplements and Medicines
Using bamboo medicine is quite common for Asian countries, such as South Korea, Japan, or China.
The bio-medical research has shown that bamboo can fight toxicity.
It can also provide relief from psychological exhaustion, stress, and mental issues. The medicinal usage of bamboo leaves is very wide. They are utilized to treat lung problems and respiratory disorders, protect your body against cholesterol, impact male fertility, regulate thyroid function, have the anti-tumor effect, balance sugar levels, and protect the body from free radicals. All these effects are provided by the rich mineral content of this unique plant. You can intake such remedies in the form of bio-supplements and regular medications. You should talk to your physician before you start consuming any supplements.
8. Fencing
Apart from medicinal and cosmetic uses, bamboo leaves and shoots are used for fencing. You can even plant bamboo trees if you need to make your fencing more decorative. This is an efficient way to mark your property and protect it against curious looks and unwanted intrusions.
9. Fodder for Livestock
The leaves of bamboo are well-known as pandas' food. However, they can become alternative nutritious fodder for livestock. That will improve their digestion because roughage in fresh leaves, though indigestible, helps move the food waste through the gut. Young leaves are even better for various types of livestock as perfect nourishment.
10. Landscaping
If you want to create a relaxing tropical landscape in your garden, plant bamboo there. The well-cared and trimmed leaves add much natural vibe and style to the look of your house. You may even try to use bamboo plants as screens, hedges, or evergreen decorations. You can blend them with smaller plants to create a stylish outdoor look.
11. Wind-breaking
The leaves of bamboo plants can serve you as an efficient windbreak. They are very elastic and can withstand the wind while bending. Having the bamboo trees planted around your house will help protect it against wind-related issues. This choice is great because bamboo looks very spectacular. Though, keep in mind that such windbreakers are useless in winter when bamboo sheds its leaves.
12. Roof Thatch
Roof thatches are normally made of coconut leaves. Using bamboo for this purpose is a great alternative. Dried bamboo leaves are woven together, making up a thick cover. Thus, the roof keeps the warmth when it is cold outside, and it also helps to keep the house cool in hot summers. Moreover, consider such bamboo leaves benefits as absorbing sounds and protecting against outside noises at night. The leaves should be large enough to reduce wind and rain influences on your house.
13. Compost
Since bamboo leaves are rich in nutrients, they make up a perfect fertilizer for most plants in your garden. When used as compost or mulch, it will improve the health of your plants. The fallen leaves should be torn into small pieces and mixed with the mulch. This mixture will produce nitrogen and silica, so your plants will grow bigger and healthier without any chemicals.
14. Baskets
Among all the uses of bamboo leaves, basket weaving is the most common one. Such a basket made of dried and weaved leaves can become a great and functional decor for your home. You can opt for wicker or wall baskets as well.
Small baskets made of leaves are often used as garnish containers. They are always food-grade because they are truly natural. Such baskets are sustainable and biodegradable items that will help you cut down on your household's plastic use. They are also a great environmentally friendly addition to your decor.
15. Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring
You can also try bamboo flooring. These mats and floor covers are made by utilizing the unified mass of pressed shoots and leaves. Then, manufacturers add a glossy finish to the surface. Such flooring is temperature regulating and very comfortable in use.
One more great feature of such flooring is that it can withstand excess humidity. The strand woven bamboo flooring should be of high quality for that.
The items made with the use of substandard manufacturing processes cannot be the best choice.
16. Pen Flooring for Livestock
This use of a bamboo leaf is very important during winter since it makes up perfect insulation against cold. Put the layers of leaves on the floor, and your livestock will be protected against extremely low temperatures. Such pen flooring is a great alternative to hay and turns out to be cost-efficient over time. You can also use this method for a dog house or other places meant for your pets.
FAQs
Can I come across any other names for bamboo leaves?
Yes, you can come across such names as Sasaya or Sasa leaves. These names are usually used in the Eastern medicine and healing practices.
Can bamboo leaves be cooked?
Yes, you can cook them for your meals. To start with, soak the leaves for about five minutes at least in warm water. Then, you can clean the leaves and scrub them from any dirt. Finally, you boil the leaves for 15 minutes until they become palatable. You can add them to your dishes up to your taste.
Can we eat bamboo leaves like any other plant products?
Sure. However, you need to know that only bamboo shoots can be consumed uncooked. As for leaves, they should be prepared and cooked properly to eliminate the toxic substances they contain.
Can I use bamboo leaf tea to treat my skin problems?
Yes, your skin will benefit much from it. Such tea is a rich source of silica. This mineral helps collagen production. So, it is quite beneficial for nail and hair strengthening and growth and skin-soothing. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties also add to treating skin issues.
Do the leaves of bamboo have cyanide in them?
Yes, raw leaves contain cyanide. That is why you cannot consume them unprepared and uncooked. Intensive processing is needed to remove this poisonous substance from a bamboo leaf.
Conclusion
You can now see how many options are available for bamboo leaves and how versatile this plant is. However, there are many more uses you need to know about. The range is truly stunning - from food and medicine to roofing and flooring. Due to the rich content of silica, vitamins, and minerals, bamboo leaves' health benefits are quite numerous. Be aware of the possibility of certain side effects, so consult your physician before starting bamboo leaves intake in any form.
Apart from using these leaves for nutritional purposes and improving health and physiology, there are much agricultural and decoration uses. You can always find something that suits your purposes and preferences.