Last Updated on February 14, 2019 by Marc Seward
Herbal teas have become incredibly popular lately and for good reason. They are a great way to ingest the wonderful nutrients provided by plenty of herbs and they are very easy and convenient to make as well.
With that said, there are so many different types of teas out there that it can be hard to choose or know which one will be the best for certain benefits. Some teas may even be brewed with ingredients that could surprise you as they are not normally considered as things that could be ingested.
I am sure you are familiar with bamboo roots, which are a very popular ingredient in Asian cuisine. but did you know you could also use the leaves of the bamboo plant to make a delicious and highly nutritious cup of tea?
What Is Bamboo Tea?
The idea of “bamboo tea” may sound a bit strange to you if you haven’t heard of it before, considering that bamboo is typically seen as a material and not a plant you can eat. However, bamboo shoots have been used in Asian cooking for a very long time and are now becoming more common in kitchens around the world.
The leaves may be inedible, but they should not be wasted. you can use the leaves of the bamboo plant to make a wonderful tea with a very wide range of outstanding health benefits.
The leaves of the bamboo plant, however, are very healthy and can be used to produce a delicious tea that provides a lot of benefits as well. It is most commonly loved for its sweet taste and caffeine-free nature, which makes it a great alternative for popular caffeinated teas such as green tea.
Bamboo has been used for many purposes for centuries upon centuries. In traditional Chinese culture, bamboo was associated with its traits of elasticity as well as endurance and perseverance. It has also been said that they would even advised people to climb into the bamboo plant in the case of a hurricane as the plant would endure and persevere through the storm, providing a safe place of shelter.
Although the plant is traditionally native to Asia, it seems to be most commonly grown and cultivated in Florida today. Its uses in ancient Asian cultures included its addition to cooking recipes. Traditional Chinese medicine also uses bamboo for several health benefits as well. Using the leaves to brew a tea is a convenient way to get those benefits.
Bamboo in Chinese Medicine
As mentioned, traditional Chinese medicinal practices often used bamboo for a number of provided benefits. In Chinese culture, bamboo is referred to as “zhu” and different parts of the plant are used for different purposes.
For example, young bamboo shoots are shaved and used to treat phlegm conditions and acute fevers, and those shavings are called “zhu ru.” Bamboo sap, or “zhu li,” is used for acute fevers, phlegm conditions, and for people who have lost consciousness; bamboo leaves, or “dan zhu,” are used for fevers and to eliminate blood and heat from the urine.
Bamboo Tea Benefits
If you have never tried bamboo leaf tea, we think you are in for a treat. The tea has a pleasant and slightly sweet flavor meaning that you may not even need to add any sweeteners. It is very easy to use and is absolutely full of nutritional goodness. And if that hasn’t already convinced you to give the stuff a try, take a look at the following list of amazing health benefits that you can get from bamboo tea.
Rich in Silica
A lot of the benefits of bamboo leaf tea come down to its high concentration of silica, which is a very important mineral that our bodies only make small amounts of naturally.
Thanks to silica, bamboo leaf tea helps improve bone density, produces collagen, and prevents the absorption of aluminum. Possibly silica’s most popular benefit, however, is its ability to promote healthier hair and boost nail growth.
Studies into the effects of silica on hair growth have been largely positive. One study published in 2012 found that supplementing with silica helped significantly boost hair growth in women with thinning hair. (2)
Antioxidant Benefits
Bamboo leaf tea is rich in antioxidants, which means that it can help fight free radicals found in the body, which attack the cells. Antioxidants are known for their ability to reduce the signs of aging and help improve the function of cells.
The high concentrations of antioxidants found in bamboo leaf tea could contribute to the prevention of various conditions including asthma, cancer, and heart diseases.
Weight Loss
Bamboo leaf tea may also help aid in weight loss as its high fiber content could help you feel more full without all of the calories. People have said that drinking bamboo leaf tea helped ease their food cravings, which in turn helped them lose weight.
Another benefit that might help aid in weight loss is its ability to improve digestive health. Bamboo leaf tea can help ease symptoms of indigestion such as bloating, gas, stomach pains, or diarrhea.
Before you get too excited, it is worth pointing pout that bamboo tea in and of itself is certainly no magic weight loss pill. On the other hand, if you drink this tea and other similarly healthy teas as part of an overall diet plan, you will almost certainly start to see the results. This will definitely be the case, if you are looking to replace a sugary beverage with a more healthy tipple.
Stress and Anxiety
The number of people suffering from crippling emotional issues like stress and anxiety appears to be on the rise. These conditions come in many forms from mils feelings of temporary stress to far more pervasive anxiety attacks and panic attacks. As a long time sufferer, I have spent a lot of time exploring alternative remedies for anxiety and many people swear that herbal teas can make a very positive impact.
Bamboo leaf tea is one such tea that may help. It is sometimes used for its ability to calm the mind through possibly because of its ability to lower blood pressure levels. Bamboo leaf tea has high levels of potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure and regulate systems within the heart keeping your heart beating at a healthy rate.
If you suffer from stress or anxiety, we feel this tea is well worth trying. There is no evidence that it will work for you but there is certainly no harm in giving it a try. Many people turn to powerful anti anxiety medications but many herbal teas may have natural beta blocker properties. Herbal teas such as bamboo tea may help ease your symptoms without the risk of side effects or dependency.
Menstrual Issues
Another calming effect lies in its ability to ease menstrual symptoms such as pains in the back, bones, and abdomen. Drinking bamboo leaf tea could also help regulate the menstrual cycle.
Boosts Immunity
Drinking plenty of healthy antioxidant rich teas like bamboo tea may also help boost the immune system and help keep illness at bay. A robust immune system is clearly essential to your overall well-being. Making sure that your immune system is healthy will ensure your body is in the best shape to fight off illnesses like the cold and flu but also more serious sickness.
Heart Health
There is some good evidence coming to light that bamboo tea may help protect your heart from disease, First of all, the antioxidants and the anti-inflammatory compounds found in bamboo tea can protect your heart and body from oxidative damage. Bamboo leaves also contain a number of important minerals including potassium which helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels and regulates heartbeat.
High cholesterol levels are a major risk factor in heart disease as well as other illnesses. According to studies done on animals, bamboo leaf tea can also help reduce lipid levels and cholesterol in the blood. (1)
Detox the System
It is very important that we detoxify our bodies every now and again to make sure that we are in the best working order possible. Many people are skeptical but think of it like a car maintenance. most people would never leave their cars fall into a state of disrepair but your body is far more important.
The many healthy anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds found in bamboo tea can help cleanse and flush the system effectively. Drinking plenty of this healthy tea can support your liver’s health and help eliminate toxins more effectively from your body.
Urinary tract Infections
Bamboo tea contains antibacterial compounds that may help treat infections of the urinary tract naturally. Drinking plenty of this tea can also encourage urination which can help eliminate the infection from your system. This makes bamboo leaf tea a great choice if you are suffering from some type of urinary tract or bladder infection.
Oral Health
Surprisingly, bamboo leaf tea can also help improve oral health by killing any present bacteria that may cause cavities while it can also help reduce the presence of plaque. Bamboo leaf tea may also benefit oral health because of the excellent anti-inflammatory properties provided by the tea. It can potentially help reduce swelling in the gums and help keep infection at bay.
Drinking this tea or even using it as a mouthwash may also help your breath smell sweeter throughout the day.
Digestive Health
By now, we all know how important it is to get plenty of dietary fiber into our systems. A lack of fiber in the diet has been linked to a number of illnesses but is most often associated with poor digestive health.
Bamboo tea can help. A cup of bamboo tea contains 4% fiber which may help prevent and treat a range of digestive complaints. In fact, drinking bamboo tea before your meal may help protect against indigestion, gas and bloating and may even treat constipation and diarrhea.
Hair Health
You may be surprised by the idea of drinking a tea for healthy hair but bamboo leaf tea could actually have a significantly positive impact on hair growth. This benefit may be one of the reasons why the tea is becoming so popular recently. It is ironic, actually, because bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants and bamboo leaf tea promotes faster hair growth.
As mentioned, the high amounts of silica found in bamboo leaf tea help promote healthy hair and nails. Bamboo actually has the highest amount of silica present in comparison to any other plant with its levels being 70%. Silica helps to moisturize and strengthen the hair, improving its shine and elasticity.
Overall, it can also help prevent split ends, improve hair growth, prevent thinning, prevent shredding, and ensure that the hair follicles get the nutrients they need to grow healthy hair. One study revealed that supplementing with silica had a significant heir growth effect in women with thinning hair. (2)
Skin Health
Bamboo tea is good for your skin. It is a great source of antioxidants that have a wonderful anti-aging effect but it also contains silica which helps produce collagen. Collagen is a protein that contributes to the strength and elasticity of your skin. Simply drinking this tea on a regular basis can help but you can also apply the tea topically.
Teas bags are often just brewed and thrown away as there aren’t many commonly known things to do with used tea bags. With that said, the residue or paste that is left over after brewing the tea can actually be used as a powerful, natural exfoliant.
You can take the leftover bamboo leaf paste and combine it with something such as honey or olive oil to create a cleansing mask. When the fibers and granules are left intact, the mask can help to significantly smooth and soften the skin.
Helps Control Blood Sugar
Bamboo tea may also help keep your blood sugar levels in check and is a suitable cuppa for people with diabetes or those at risk of the disease. bamboo is very low in sugar and its fiber content further contributes to reducing blood sugar.
How to Make Bamboo Tea
You can easily find bamboo in tea bag form but it is extremely easy to make from the fresh or dried leaves.
- Take a heaped teaspoon of chopped bamboo leaves and add them to two cups of water in a pot.
- Bring the mixture to the boil and remove from the heat.
- Let the tea steep for at least ten minutes to ensure all the healthy compounds have been released into the water.
- Strain the tea and then add come good quality honey and lemon to taste.
- Drink up and enjoy several times a day.
Advice for Using Bamboo Tea
Because bamboo leaf tea is actually considered to be a dietary supplement, manufacturers and distributors aren’t actually required to prove the claims they make about the benefits that their products supposedly provide. Be careful when buying bamboo leaf tea and try to make sure that you only buy it from reputable sources that have a history of being honest with their consumers.
If you do plan on making bamboo leaf tea, drinking one or two cups a day should be enough to get the results you’re looking for. Many people have reported that they saw differences in their health and hair quality within just a couple of weeks. With that said, you should be patient and not expect to see any significant results too soon.
There may also be some side effects to consider when drinking bamboo leaf tea. If you have hypothyroidism, which is a condition where the body does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone, or goiter, you should avoid drinking too much bamboo leaf tea. It is also advised that pregnant or nursing women should avoid drinking bamboo leaf tea as well even though there hasn’t been a lot of scientific evidence that may show negative effects.
Overall, it may be best to speak with a doctor before using bamboo leaf tea to treat any health conditions or for cosmetic benefits, such as the improved health of your hair and nails. Your doctor would be able to better inform you regarding the likelihood of the tea interfering with any current health conditions or prescribed medications. You may also want to consult with a holistic healthcare practitioner who could help you determine proper methods to get the most out of your results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of bamboo?
Bamboo has a number of potential health benefits. The shoots are very low in calories and rich in nutrients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.Bamboo is good for the heart, for the weight and may also help boost the immune system and protect against disease. You can add bamboo shoots to a wide variety of vegetable and meat dishes. They are very low ion calories and contain a good amount of fiber, protein and other nutrients.
What are the benefits of bamboo leaves?
Bamboo leaves are used to make a healthy bamboo tea. Bamboo tea is good for the heart, the skin and the waistline. It contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties giving it a very wide range of medicinal benefits.
Are bamboo leaves safe to eat?
Bamboo shoots are the only edible portion of the bamboo tree however the leaves can be used to make a healthy tea. The leaves are not toxic to humans but should be washed, cleaned and boiled before being consumed as a tea.
Is bamboo tea good for your skin?
Bamboo tea is very good for your skin as well as other aspects of your appearance like your hair and nails. Bamboo leaves are rich in silica which helps to promote the production of collagen. It is also rich in antioxidant compounds that can help protect the skin from damage and even repair damage already done to the skin’s cells.
The Verdict
When it comes down to it, it’s hard to argue with something that has been used for a specific purpose for thousands of years. When ancient and traditional medicinal practices have been including different parts of the bamboo plant for their significant health benefits, how can we say that they were wrong?
Overall, bamboo leaf tea provides a lot of benefits, which should not surprise you after such a long and proven traditional use in folk medicine.
Bamboo is becoming more and more popular every day and it may even be on its way to becoming the next “superfood.”
Bamboo leaf tea comes packed with nutrition and can have a positive effect on a wide range of conditions from skin and hair health to boosting your immune system. It may even help to treat common emotional issues like stress and anxiety.
With all of the many benefits provided by bamboo leaf tea, whether you’re looking for cosmetic or medicinal results, it would definitely be a good idea to look into trying this tea. Be careful to make sure that you aren’t allergic, however, before trying the tea for the first time. By speaking with your doctor, you should be able to determine this easily.
As mentioned, you may also consider speaking with a holistic healthcare practitioner about your goals in using bamboo leaf tea. An experienced professional may be able to recommend other herbs or natural substances that could provide similar benefits. You could also do some research online but be careful to make sure that you get your information from reliable sources.
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25970469
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509882/
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