Those who have seen the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” will be familiar with the image of bamboo: flexible but firm, delicate but strong. These unique qualities make bamboo a perfect fit in ancient Chinese philosophy and lend the health benefits of bamboo an air of wisdom and grace.
History
In China, highly revered bamboo reflects heavenly unity in ancient art, such as ethereal paintings of misty mountains with bamboo leaves, delicate bamboo weavings, and bamboo baskets.
The strength of bamboo is evident when the fury of the atomic bomb unleashed on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II only marginally damaged bamboo. It was also one of the first plants to reappear after the deadly war, thus occupying a special place in the hearts of the Japanese. Visitors to Japan will be enchanted by the melodious sound of nature as a breeze whispers through wind chimes made of bamboo.
In Hawaii, where bamboo is known as “ohe,” bamboo crafts have been elevated to an art, with intricate designs of delicate lid seals carved from split bamboo.
Before the invention of wheels, bamboo provided robust axles for transporting baskets woven from bamboo fibers, revealing its wide spectrum of uses.
Ecology
Bamboo has strong survival abilities. Like grass, it grows quickly and can spread on its own. Like wood, it is strong and can be found all over the world. Although bamboo only needs minimal water to sustain itself – as little as 20 inches of rain for some species – most large bamboos grow faster when exposed to full sunlight.
Bamboo, which grows profusely in areas of poverty and resource scarcity, is like a gift to humanity, giving the best of itself during its short lifespan of a few years.
The height of bamboo ranges from 30 cm dwarf plants to driftwood bamboos over 40 m.
Bamboos are classified according to the type of roots. The corridors, which mainly belong to the tropical bamboos, spread out lushly, while the bushes, which belong to the temperate bamboos, slowly expand from the original plantation. There are also root systems that combine the two types.
Bamboo leaves come in a wide variety. There are soft, velvety leaves, serrated-edged leaves, and leaves with small tufts of hair-like ornaments around the base of the stems and the culm (stem) sheaths.
Health notes
Bamboo, a vital element in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has a temperament that ranges from mild to refreshing. So while the specific health benefits differ according to the various parts and flavors of bamboo, in general, bamboo can help detoxify, repel insects, remove heat, remove phlegm, curb vomiting, restore vitality, and quench the thirst. It’s no wonder then that bamboo is a pandas’ favorite. In fact, with a large amount of crude protein, bamboo is also frequently used as animal fodder.
Bel’Air Green Bamboo Essential Oil is the result of extensive research. From the joints of the bamboo stalks, a beneficial essence known as bamboo sil is extracted. It contains abundant amounts of silica, which is a rich reserve of calcium. After aromatherapy with green bamboo essential oil, the calcium will be replenished and the bones will be strengthened. This innovative essential oil can also alleviate aging problems such as back pain and rheumatism, as well as improve the calcium content in children and adolescents, thus boosting their growth.
