Bamboo Leaves as Fodder
25 Incredible Benefits of Bamboo
- Nutritional Values of the Bamboo Plant : Bamboo shoot is a rich source of amino acids, phosphorous, dietary fiber, magnesium, protein, iron, potassium, copper, selenium, vitamin B1, nicotinic acid, calcium, zinc, sodium, riboflavin, carotene and essential minerals.
- Chemical Values of the Bamboo Plant : Bamboo plant is a rich source of resins, arginine, silica, riboflavin, choline, thiamine, betaine, gluteline, cyanogenic glycosides, tyrosine, niacin, protein, albuminoids, histidine, oxalic acid, reducing sugar, phenylamine, nuclease, waxes, valine, urease, proteolytic enzyme, taxiphyllin, methionine, benzoic acid, urease, threonine, isoleucine, lysine, cysteine, acetylcholine.
- Antimicrobial Properties : Singh et al., (2010) subjected the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of bamboo for antimicrobial activity against the strains of Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli, Bacillus and P.aeruginosa. The results showed that bamboo extracts have effective inhibitory ability against Staphylococcus aureus. Both the ethanolic and aqueous extracts proved highly effective comparable to penicillin. Researchers agree that both the methanolic, ethanolic and methanol-ethanolic extracts of the bamboo plant is a potential source of antimicrobial drugs.
- Rhinorrhagia Treatment : Rhinorrhagia, which is also known as nosebleed is a health condition marked by hemorrhage from the nose. This can be attributed to the rupture of small vessels lying atop of the anterior part of the cartilaginous nasal septum. Studies reveal that herbal medicine from the shoots, seeds, leaves and roots of the bamboo plant can be used for treating rhinorrhagia.
- Anthelmintic Purposes : Bamboo leaf can be used for preparing herbal drugs for destroying parasitic worms due to its strong anthelmintic compositions.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: Researchers reveal that combining a methanol extract of Bambusa arundinacea with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory analgesic offers a strong anti-inflammatory effect. As a result, it can be used for tackling chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatoid.
- Astringent Properties: Due to the strong astringent properties of the bamboo plant, it can be used for preparing a herbal astringent lotion for reducing bleeding from minor abrasions or cuts. It can also be used for preparing cosmetics applied on the skin to make the skin less oily.
- Antispasmodic Effects: Due to the antispasmodic effects of the bamboo plant, it can be used for preparing antispasmodic drugs for relieving spasm of the involuntary muscles.
- Aphrodisiac Properties : Due to the aphrodisiac properties of the bamboo plant, it can be used for producing medicines for stimulating sexual desires.
- Anticoagulation Effects : Bamboo leaves have been proven effective for preventing the formation of blood clots due to its anticoagulant properties. As a result, herbal medicines from the leaves can be used for preventing and treating disorders caused by abnormal blood clots.
- Culinary Purposes : Young bamboo shoots are mostly used as green vegetables for cooking food, achara soup and curry. The young tender leaves can also be cut into small pieces and used for making pickles and for preparing meat and fish dishes. Young bamboo shoots can be stir-fried with other vegetables or stir-fried just alone. The shoots can also be used for producing soft drinks and bamboo wine.
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Livestock Fodder : Young bamboo leaves can serve as fodder thus can be fed to livestock and farm animals such as cattles, goats, sheeps and cows.
- Phlegm Treatment : Both the roots, branches, leaves, seeds and leaves of the bamboo plant can be used for preparing herbal medicines for treating phlegm. The medicine helps to clear the thick viscous substance secreted by the mucous membranes of the respiratory passages, especially during cold.
- Laryngitis Treatment: Herbal medicines from bamboo shoots can be used for treating laryngitis, which is a health condition caused as a result of the inflammation of the larynx. This inflammation usually results in painful cough, harsh breathing, huskiness or loss of voice.
- Febrifuge Properties : Bamboo leaves, stems, and roots can be used for preparing herbal medicines for treating and reducing fever.
- Antioxidant potential of bamboo : Bamboo is known for its high anti-oxidizing properties and as such can aid the removal of potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism.
- Anti-cancerous Properties : The alkaline extract of Sasa senanensis leaves is believed to be effective for tackling cancerous growths due to its anti-cancer properties.
- Anti-diabetic Properties : Bamboo shoots and its extracts can be used for preparing herbal medicines for regulating the blood sugar level.
- Balanced Cholesterol Level : The herbal medicines from the bamboo plant parts can be used for regulating the cholesterol level.
- Healing of Skin Eruptions : Bamboo bark can be decocted and used for treating skin eruptions.
- Antileprotic Properties : Due to the antileprotic properties of the bamboo plant, studies reveal that the leaves can be used for preparing medicines for treating leprosy.
- Laxative Effect: The pungent bamboo seeds can serve as a laxative for stimulating the evacuation of faeces.
- Aids Digestion: Due to the high dietary fibre content of young bamboo shoots, studies reveal that including them in our diets aids easy digestion of food. It also boosts our appetite.
- Antibacterial Properties : Bambusa bambose L. leaves extract is broad spectrum and contains antibacterial properties. As a result, the leaves can be used for tackling bacterial diseases.
- Stimulating Properties: The leaves can be used as a stimulant for raising the levels of physiological or nervous activities in the body.
28 INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF THE BAMBOO PLANT (globalfoodbook.com)