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Bamboo: From Medicine to Flooring

Bamboo is a type of perennial plant which is part of the true grass family. There are over 90 genera and more than 1000 species. Bamboo can be found in every continent and among different climate conditions, from cold mountains to hot tropical regions. Contrary to common misconceptions India is the largest producer of bamboo. Considered the fastest growing plant on earth, some species of bamboo can grow up to 120 cm in a 24 hour period. Bamboo varies in height from, dwarf 12" tall to giant timber bamboos over 100 feet tall. The stems are jointed, with regular nodes; each node bears one leaf, and may also have one to several side branches. In large-growing species a single stem may carry many thousands of branchlets.

Bamboo has a great cultural and economic importance for East and South East Asian countries. Not only is bamboo used ornamentally but it is also a source of food and medicine. Below is a list of some of the more common uses of bamboo.

Food: Bamboo shoots are edible. They are used in numerous Asian dishes and broths, and are available in supermarkets in various sliced forms, both fresh, canned or pickled. The sap of young stalks can even be fermented to make ulanzi (a sweet wine) or made into a soft drink.

Medicine: In Chinese medicine, bamboo can be used to treat infections, fever, convulsions, upset stomachs, urinary infections; while in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, the silicious concretion found in the culms of the bamboo stem is said to be a tonic for respiratory diseases.

Arts and Culture: Bamboo has played a significant part in many cultures. For instance, folklore music from the Andes is particularly recognizable for its distinctive sounds:The Siku, a traditional pan pipe, and the Kena, a very particular flute.These instruments are made of bamboo shoots and the music they produce is unique. The You Tube video will allow you to experience this music.

Across the Pacific Ocean in Japan: The Shakuhach – an end-blown flute - the national instrument of Japan - was initially used by the monks of the Fuke School of Zen Buddhism in the practice of Suizen (blowing meditation).

Bamboo is also the substrate for sculpturing. In China, bamboo carving has been around for centuries; a remarkable art form which involves a long and meticulous process before carving can begin.

Construction: Bamboo forms a very hard wood-type material, both lightweight and exceptionally durable. It has a tensile strength that rivals steel and weight-to-strength ratio surpassing that of graphite. It withstands up to 52,000 pounds of pressure psi. In many tropical climates its long lengths and extreme strength and durability allow bamboo to be used in many aspects of construction; from a viable replacement for wood to replacing steel reinforcing rods to scaffolding.

Other uses: Bamboo can be found all around us from baskets to garden furniture to bed sheets and clothing. Bamboo fabric is a natural textile made from the pulp of the bamboo grass. Bamboo fabric is light and strong, and is to some extent antibacterial. The use of bamboo fiber for clothing was a 20th century development, pioneered by several Chinese corporations.

It has even been alleged that bamboo was used as a means of torture. Recently the TV Show Myth Busters did a feature on this "myth". The following You Tube video shows what they discovered.

Bamboo flooring:
Over the past 10 years, bamboo has made its way into the housing market as a sustainable and alternative flooring option when compared to traditional hardwood and softwood flooring.

The bamboo stocks also known as logs are sliced and cut to approximate finished lengths. The strips are then steamed under pressure to eliminate sugars and insects. During the steaming process, the bamboo will either be left natural or carbonized (boiled longer). Carbonized bamboo tends to be up to 30% softer than natural bamboo. After boiling, the bamboo strips are kiln dried and cut and assembled to create either a horizontal or a vertical grain floor. This is followed by hot pressing, where heat and pressure of up to 1,200 tons psi binds the strips together.

The process of creating a bamboo floor is a very labour intensive and complex process. There are no governing organizations which oversee or set standards for bamboo products regarding the source, the age, the manufacturing process and the chemicals used or the work and safety conditions of the workers. These are questions one should ask before buying bamboo flooring:

Where did this flooring come from? Has a forest disappeared because it was cleared for the growing of bamboo? Have panda bears relocated because of the harvesting of the manufacturers' bamboo?

What type of finish and glue was used? If a finish was added to the wood that gives off VOC’s from formaldehyde based glues and finishes, your bamboo floor is no longer as ‘green.’  Finish quality varies with all bamboo flooring. Lower grade bamboos often use more formaldehyde resins than more expensive floors and less durable finishes.

When was the bamboo harvested? Bamboo needs six years to reach its ideal hardness. A floor made from four year old bamboo stock will be considerably softer than that harvested from a six year old stock. After six years the bamboo can start to soften or become too brittle.

What type of warranty is provided? Not all bamboo floors will perform the same. Depending on proper installation and the product used, some will lose their colour, warp, delaminate, and even split. Make sure you read your warranty carefully, to ensure what is covered. Not all warranties are the same.

What were the working conditions like? Were workers exposed to harsh chemicals, long working hours, or sub standard pay? In many cases in the process of manufacturing bamboo flooring, formaldehyde is used which is known to be toxic, allergenic and carcinogenic.

Bamboo is a very versatile product, from medicine to flooring. It grows rapidly and there is lots of it. However, these should not be the only reasons to consider when choosing a bamboo product. Bamboo, like wood, is a natural product which will have variations and different grades and specifications. There are differences in product quality, environmentally friendliness and price. The cheapest product is typically priced according to it's production cost and this often reflects the quality. Research the manufacturer and do your homework to make sure you’re getting the “green” you desire. Just because it is bamboo doesn't mean it is GREEN.