The Many Uses of Bamboo

The Many Uses of Bamboo

Bamboo (Bambusoideae) is a fascinating and diverse plant with many uses around the world. It is the fastest growing plant and is used for a wide range of purposes and applications. Its use is growing in popularity as a sustainable alternative to wood for a wide range of products including building, paper and furniture. It is also used in food preparation and has medicinal properties in some cultures. Bamboo is extremely versatile and can be grown in a number of different climates, from the cold mountains of China to tropical regions of India and Indonesia to North Australia.

Throughout Asia, the stems of many species are split and used for a wide variety of household goods. They are used to make walking sticks, pipes, ladders and utensils. The shoots of certain bamboos are eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways. They are a staple in Chinese cuisine and are used for soups, stir fry dishes and salads. Some of the largest shoots are harvested and lashed together to form scaffoldings for building construction sites. The pulped fibres of several bamboo species are used to produce high quality paper.

It has been known for centuries that bamboo has medicinal properties. The roots are sometimes used to treat kidney diseases and the leaves are effective against cancer. Bamboo is also thought to have aphrodisiac properties. Early Chinese apothecaries believed that the shoots of some bamboos could strengthen a man's libido.

In recent years, the use of bamboo has expanded rapidly worldwide. Bamboo is a greener material than wood and can be used in the manufacture of a wide range of products from textiles to flooring. It is also a renewable resource as it grows quickly and can be harvested without the need to fell mature trees.

The versatility of bamboo has led to a growing awareness of its benefits in the western world. In particular, bamboo can be used to make clothing that is softer than cotton and more durable than polyester performance fabrics, and is able to wick moisture from the body keeping the wearer drier and more comfortable. Bamboo has become a popular substitute for timber in construction and as fencing. Bamboo houses are now common in some areas of the world and can be built more economically than timber dwellings using the same materials.

Bamboo has a high potential for commercial production. However, it has not yet been developed on a large scale in Australia, with most of the bamboo being imported from overseas. With a number of species able to be grown in clumps for both ornamental or screening purposes and for their edible shoots, there is a great opportunity for the bamboo farmer to develop a successful business in this region. Bamboos are very easy to grow and are well suited for small suburban blocks and gardens. With the ability to harvest shoots in Summer or Autumn here in Australia, corresponding with Winter in China and Japan, there is a great opportunity to export during this off-season.

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