Bamboo is a grass that grows mostly in the tropics. It is the largest members of the grass family. Although it is in the grass family, bamboo has a lot of woody features and is widely used for wood purposes as well. In fact, it has more uses compared to normal timber. Some of the uses bamboo has are highlighted below.
Top uses of Bamboo
Making clothes
Mature bamboo plants are harvested and crushed. After that, the fibers are extracted and chemically treated then spun into yarn. The yarn is then used to make clothes. Clothes made off from bamboo fiber are of high quality, and are known to be thermal regulating. That means, in high temperatures, they keep the body cool by absorbing the heat, and in low temperatures, they retain the body’s heat.
Medicinal uses
Bamboo plants, particularly the leaves, have antioxidant properties. They are mostly used in Asian countries to treat bleeding and acute fevers among others. They are also used widely in Asia for treating infertility, and this treatment is finding its way to other parts of the world.
Building and construction
Bamboo has been used for roofing from the traditional times because it is easy to lift and carry. It is also impermeable hence no licks when it rains. Since it is also strong, bamboo is used in scaffolding. This is the reinforcement of ceilings in buildings. Scaffolding requires strong and durable materials that are light and bamboo fits well.
Making beer
There is a beer made out of the bamboo plant which by comparison to other beers has a better taste. Since it is in the grass family with other beer-making plants like barley, wheat, and sorghum, bamboo leaves are used with hops to make beer. It is also best served in bamboo structures called tiki bars.
Environmental conservation
Bamboo grows extremely fast. It serves purposes that trees do serve and offers more options than trees do. For the time it takes for growing a tree, bamboo plants will have grown and be harvested a lot more times and with less acreage which makes its better for use in traditional timber uses like firewood and charcoal or for construction. This helps in saving the forests which are natural habitats and homes to many animals, birds and different species of trees and plants. Since bamboo does not need wide spacing for growing, it is economical for commercial uses like the production of paper and wood fuel than having trees, and it also gives better yields with higher quality than timber.