An ancient Japanese legend has it that one day, a farmer, while walking among the stalls of a market, was attracted by one in particular who exhibited unknown seeds. The vendor did not tell the farmer what kind of plant these seeds belonged to, but encouraged him to plant and care for them every day. And so the farmer did, intrigued. But time passed and nothing happened! The farmer, perplexed, however, continued to water where he had planted the seeds. Gradually, after so much effort, finally a seedling sprouted that in a short time reached several meters in height, it had become a beautiful bamboo! What had happened was that the bamboo had waited to grow in order to reinforce its roots so as to become tall and strong. In short, this is also a metaphor for life. Even when it seems to us that nothing is happening or that we are not achieving the desired results, we must patiently persevere on our path in order to give time for life events to mature and arrive at the appropriate time, perhaps even better than we have expected them. Beyond this teaching, bamboo also offers much more! In fact, this plant not only grows strong but it is also rich in substances that can protect our health, that of our bones and our cartilages and support the beauty of skin and hair! So let's try to understand better on the basis, as always, of scientific research.
Bamboo, a true beauty treatment
Bamboo extracts contain vitamins, such as E and A, which counteract the aging of tissues, help reduce damage from sun rays and dark spots and keep the skin hydrated. But bamboo also brings important compounds that are allies of our beauty, such as flavones, phenolic acids and amino acids. Together, these substances give bamboo extracts antioxidant, soothing and astringent properties, which also help regulate sebum production in acne and oily skin (Vasave et al, IJSDR, 2019 - Chilicka et al, Healthcare, 2022). Not only that, these extracts also contain silicon, a mineral essential for the synthesis of collagen, to regenerate the skin, to make it radiant and elastic and to counteract the formation of wrinkles (Vasave et al, IJSDR, 2019 - de Araujo et al, An Bras Dermatol, 2016). In addition to these properties, silicon is also a valid ally for strong bones and healthy and flexible joints, counteracts hair thinning and promotes health, leaving the hair stronger and brighter, relieves eczema and psoriasis and strengthens nails (Wickett et al, Arch Dermatol Res, 2007 - de Araujo et al, An Bras Dermatol, 2016)!
Bamboo, how to take it and warnings
You can use supplements based on bamboo extracts, which can be found in herbal medicine, pharmacy and online. Follow the directions on the package regarding the intake, but generally the dose is one capsule per day to be taken with a glass of water for a month, to be repeated more times a year. Alternatively, you can make a bamboo tea. Bring a glass of water to a boil, remove from heat and wait for the water to reach 80° C. Add a teaspoon of dried plant. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, then filter and drink. Bamboo is generally considered safe, however care should be taken in some cases. Although no studies are available in this regard, some believe that bamboo extract can interfere with pregnancy and breastfeeding, so for safety avoid in these cases. Also be careful in case of kidney problems and, if you are taking medications, ask your doctor for advice.
