While we may be familiar with bamboo and its uses in furniture, flooring, and as the staple food of panda bears, many of us are unaware that it can be an excellent addition to our diet. In this article, you will discover how bamboo tea benefits your health.
Let’s get started.
What Is Bamboo Tea?
For centuries, bamboo has been an integral part of Asian culture, medicine, and cuisine.
Bamboos, known botanically as the subfamily Bambusoideae, are some of the fastest-growing plants in the world.
Thriving in the tropical and mildly temperate regions of Southeast Asia, China, the Himalayas, New Guinea, and the Northern part of Australia, certain bamboo species can grow over 30 centimeters per day.
And despite its abundance, bamboo is a nutrient-packed food source full of essential minerals and vitamins. And one of the most traditional ways of harnessing bamboo’s health benefits is brewing a herbal tea made from the plant’s leaves.
The result is a nutrient-dense tea that is rich in silica, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Bamboo leaf tea is caffeine-free, naturally sweet, and delicious served hot or cold—making it one incredible tea!
But let’s take a closer look at the benefits.
Bamboo Tea Benefits
While all parts of the bamboo plant contain beneficial compounds and nutrients, bamboo leaves offer a fantastic array of health benefits, including antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-bacterial properties.
Promotes Healthy Hair, Skin, and Nails
Bamboo leaves are rich in silica, or Silicon dioxide, a natural trace element found in rocks, crystals, and sand. While research on silica benefits is still being conducted, it is widely believed that it is a beneficial supplement for the hair, skin, and nails.
Silica also occurs naturally in everyday foods such as whole grains, rice, green beans, and raisins, yet bamboo leaves are among the most plentiful silica food sources.
Therefore, bamboo tea makes an exceptional supplement for hair growth. It is believed that the silica in bamboo leaf tea can substantially improve hair growth, strength, and prevent hair loss.
One 2007 study found that those taking 10 milligrams of silica for nine months had less hair breakage than volunteers who received the placebo.
Silica in bamboo tea also benefits skin health. A 2012 study examining skin anti-aging strategies and a 2016 research overview suggest that silicon is essential for collagen production and improving skin strength and elasticity.
Both of which may help reduce the formation of wrinkles and skin dryness.
Strong, healthy nails also rely on the presence of silica. Thus, drinking bamboo leaf tea may strengthen soft and brittle nails.
Promotes Strong Bones
Silica-rich bamboo tea has also been shown to have unique bone-strengthening properties.
A growing body of research suggests that silica may play an integral role in bone formation and maintenance—right alongside calcium and vitamin D!
Several studies have shown that silica supplementation in both humans and animals has improved bone strength. One such study found that silica could be an essential nutrient for treating and preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Silica has also been shown to support our bones’ mineral makeup and is a vital nutrient for healing our bone’s natural wear and tear.
Supports Healthy Joints
As you age, your joints’ healthy collagen supplies begin to deteriorate. And as a result, many adults suffer from joint pain.
Drinking bamboo leaf tea may alleviate some of the pain because it is rich in calming and restoring silica which supplies the body with the nutrients it needs to boost collagen production so that the joints can be effectively lubricated and healed.
In addition to supporting our body’s bones and joints, silica is a significant component of well-nourished muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
Rich In Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that fight free radicals, inhibit oxidative stress, and other causes of cellular damage. And bamboo leaves are rich in antioxidants, which are beneficial in preventing disease and slowing the aging process.
The primary ones are polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamin C and E. Therefore, drinking bamboo leaf tea every day can ensure that your body is armored with antioxidants that will defend it against the inevitable free radicals.
Boosts Immunity
Together, the silica and antioxidants found in bamboo leaves give a mighty boost to the immune system.
Vitamin C is known for its immune-boosting benefits, as it increases the production of white blood cells and antibodies. Vitamin E boosts immunity by aiding in the production of antibodies and natural killer cells.
The silica found in bamboo leaves also boosts the body’s immune response by increasing antibody and antigen production that helps ward off infections and keep illnesses at bay.
Alkaline silica also helps balance our immune system’s pH, ensuring that it operates at its fullest potential.
And studies have shown that antioxidant vitamins C and E can even have anti-tumor effects!
Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease
Bamboo leaves may be a natural prevention against developing Alzheimer’s disease.
While more research is still needed, current studies show that bamboo’s silica-rich leaves could help prevent brain-cell damage from sources such as free radicals.
Also, for years, aluminum has been suspected of playing a possible role in developing Alzheimer’s disease. Drinking bamboo leaf tea can be a natural protection against that, as silica actively prevents the absorption of aluminum and aids in its elimination from the body.
Heals Wounds & Infections
Drinking bamboo tea may also help heal wounds and infections. The silica-rich bamboo leaves encourage collagen production, which results in skin healing faster. The bamboo leaves also contain anti-bacterial properties that prevent infections.
Treatment For Parasites
In both ancient and modern science, bamboo leaves have been studied for their ability to kill parasites. One aspect of this comes from its silica-rich leaves, which soothe the digestive system and prevent parasites’ inflammation.
Because our digestive system is our body’s first defense against pathogens, keeping its tissues healthy and properly functioning is necessary for preventing infections and parasites.
High In Fiber
The high fiber content of the bamboo leaves offers many benefits. Primarily, it provides a source of soluble dietary fiber, which keeps our digestive systems regulated.
Studies also show that fueling your body with fiber can help lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Drinking a glass of bamboo tea before and after a meal can aid in the digestive process and protect against indigestion, discomfort, and constipation.
Bamboo leaf tea may also benefit those with diabetes, as the leaves’ fiber content could lower blood sugar levels.
Overall, fiber is crucial for our bodies, and bamboo tea contains a lot of it.
Anti-Inflammatory
Bamboo leaf tea is anti-inflammatory, meaning it can soothe and prevent damaging inflammation within the body.
One study found the molecular makeup of bamboo leaves to be full of anti-inflammatory properties. Some of the bamboo leaves’ anti-inflammatory abilities come from their in-house antioxidants such as flavonoids.
Flavonoids are potent antioxidants with immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory abilities. Studies have shown that foods containing flavonoids may help protect against diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Reduces High Blood Pressure
Another health benefit of bamboo leaf tea is its ability to lower blood pressure. Rich in potassium, the leaf may provide heart-healthy benefits by reducing sodium in the body, effectively lowering blood pressure.
Promotes Oral Health & Strong Teeth
Bamboo leaf tea is beneficial for one’s oral health as well, as it removes bacteria that causes cavities, helps fight infection, and reduces gum swelling.
The high amounts of calcium and silica present in bamboo leaves can also promote healthy teeth by boosting collagen production.
Promotes Healthy Urination
Drinking plenty of bamboo tea can naturally detoxify your body by encouraging urination. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of bamboo leaves may also help treat infections within the bladder and urinary tract.
Soothes Menstrual Pain
If you commonly experience discomfort, back pain, stomach cramps, or bone and joint pain during your cycle, the silica and anti-inflammatory properties in bamboo leaf tea could help ease that pain.
Balances Hormones
Bamboo leaf tea is rich in silica, calcium, and magnesium, all of which help the body maintain healthy estrogen levels, a function that is essential for healthy hormone balance.
Supports Heart Health
Evidence shows that drinking bamboo leaf tea may support a healthy heart. The antioxidants within the bamboo leaves are known to prevent and protect the heart from oxidative stress.
In addition, the soluble plant fiber in bamboo leaves is efficient in removing excess cholesterol that can cause plaque buildup, obstructed arteries, and high blood pressure.
What Does Bamboo Tea Taste Like?
The perceived taste of bamboo might put many people off, but the truth is, bamboo tea has a neutral, mildly sweet flavor. Many people even choose to blend it with other teas for a more exciting experience. Regardless, it’s a great tea served both hot and cold.
How to Make Bamboo Tea?
Curious to know how you can enjoy all of the benefits of bamboo tea?
Bamboo tea is easy to make from home and can be purchased in loose-leaf or in teabag form, or you can make your own brew at home using fresh or dried bamboo leaves.
First, add a heaping teaspoon of chopped bamboo leaves into a pot. Add two cups of water and bring to a boil. Then, remove the mixture from heat and let the tea steep for between five to ten minutes. Finally, strain the tea and add lemon or honey to taste.
Conclusion
So, as you can see, there are plenty of bamboo tea benefits. It has an unobtrusive taste, no side effects, and is perfect both hot and cold. So, are you going to try it?
Let us know in the comments below, and if you’re looking for another interesting tea, check out our article about pomegranate tea.