The bamboo plant is a wonderful addition to any home. Not only can it be used for decorative purposes, but it can also bring other benefits to your house.
Below we look at 5 benefits of having a bamboo plant in your home:
- Decorative uses
- Health benefits
- Feng Shui and bringing luck
- Building and construction
- Bamboo in your diet
What Is the Best Way to Use Bamboo for Decorative Purposes?
The two main types of indoor bamboo that get used for decorative purposes are not even really bamboo!
But because both ‘Lucky bamboo’ and ‘Lotus bamboo’ are very bamboo-like in appearance (and in name!) we will discuss them here in this article.
Both types can be grown in pots, however, people often put them in vases of water with pebbles or rocks to make attractive tabletop displays.
The Lucky bamboo:
- Can also be twisted and curled around to create interesting shapes and patterns.
- It grows towards the sunlight so take this into consideration when training your plant.
Some bamboo species can be used for bonsai trees, with slower-growing bamboo being the most suitable for this.
It is quite popular among bonsai enthusiasts, and works well for creating mini forests.
It is best to use the clumping types of bamboo, rather than the running types.
In What Ways Can Bamboo Benefit My Health?
Many people believe that bamboo can improve the quality of air inside your house.
While not all agree, it is quite a popular opinion that bamboo can neutralize toxins in the air.
Bamboo has been ranked as one of the best plants for air purification.
Bamboo charcoal can also be used to absorb nasty smells around the house.
You can make your own bamboo charcoal by wrapping bamboo in aluminum foil and heating it over a gas stove.
You could also use the bamboo charcoal to make products such as soap and toothpaste.
Plants in general are said to help improve mental health.
Consider This: Having a number of bamboo plants around the house can create a calm and relaxing space. Apparently, the greenery can also help people to feel more focused and hence improve productivity.
Can Bamboo Really Bring Me Luck?
‘Lucky bamboo’, so aptly named, is closely associated with the art of Feng Shui.
It is considered lucky because of the hollow structure of the plant, which is said to assist with the movement of positive energy.
The number of stalks of bamboo you have determines the type of luck that you wish to bring into the house.
It is believed that it is best to place the plant either in the East or Southeast direction of your house.
The elements that you combine with your Lucky bamboo plant, such as rocks and water, also have meaning and relate to the abundance and prosperity that will be bought into the house.
The Lucky bamboo plant will often have a red ribbon tied around it with a metal coin attached.
This is so that it relates to all 5 elements of Feng Shui, which are:
- wood
- fire
- earth
- water
- metal
Can I Build with Bamboo?
Bamboo is a popular building material in many parts of the world.
It is durable, lightweight and also environmentally sustainable.
There are 4 main species of bamboo that are generally recommended for construction projects.
These are:
- Genus Guadua
- Genus Dendrocalamus
- Genus Bambusa
- Genus Phyllostachys
There are heaps of items that you could construct with bamboo if DIY is your thing.
From simple decorative ideas such as wind chimes and pictures frames, to larger projects like chairs and possibly even an outdoor gazebo.
Correctly treating your bamboo will ensure it lasts for many years.
Bamboo can also be used in the construction of entire houses.
This is quite common in places such as south-east Asia and Latin America.
Be Creative: If you don’t fancy your entire house constructed from bamboo, you could just opt for bamboo flooring. Lots of the floor products you buy today come from China and other parts of Asia.
Can I Eat Bamboo?
You may have seen, or even eaten bamboo shoots from a can bought at the supermarket.
But did you know you can grow your own bamboo shoots?
Bamboo shoots are the part that are just under the ground, and they get harvested just before they peek up above the soil.
They can be cut out with a sharp knife.
You probably didn’t know that you can make tea from bamboo leaves.
It is quite simple and also has many health benefits:
- Some of which include promoting healthy hair, skin and nails.
- It is also packed with antioxidants.
Try some bamboo tea if you are suffering from indigestion, gas or bloating.
Here is a quick process:
- If you have fresh leaves then cut them into small pieces and fry in a pan.
- Next, boil the leaves in some water and allow them to seep for a while.
- Now it is ready to transfer to a teapot and for you to enjoy a cup of bamboo tea.
The tea has a mild sweet taste and can be consumed either hot or cold.
Conclusion
As you have seen, the bamboo plant is extremely diverse in the benefits it can bring to your home.
From the aesthetics of a Feng Shui design to the more practical health benefits of bamboo tea, bamboo offers something for everyone.
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