In Asia, the use of bamboo charcoal for health purposes is very popular. People in Japan, Korea, and China find the uses of bamboo charcoal to be very beneficial for many other uses too.

It was discovered that the porous structure of bamboo charcoal helps absorb bad stale air amongst many other benefits.

Bamboo charcoal is  made by placing cut and dried bamboo stalks into a kiln.  Cooked in high temperatures, the charcoal is then collected and cut into small pieces.  The pieces have found their use in the health and beauty market.

The following benefits of bamboo charcoal include:

Removes odor from kitchens, shoes, and other places.

Extracts humidity from the air and turns it into negative ions.

It’s also useful in help absorb formaldehyde.

Also helps fight electromagnetic waves from electronic items. So it’s best to place bamboo charcoal near your computer and other electronic items.

It’s also recommended to add bamboo charcoal and water to a vase of cut flowers. This helps extend the life of the flower.

So far I have added bamboo charcoal to my potted plants (which are near my computer), and also to my flower pots outside.  It’s only been 1 week since I’ve used it, so I can’t say if I’ve seen any improvements yet.

I have also put some bamboo charcoals in a basket and keep it in the bedroom.  This is to help clean the air. I’m hoping it’s making some difference.

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I planted some “leftover” tulip bulbs in some flower pots and soon forgot about them. Surprisingly they are now in bloom! These plants do get lots of nice sunshine and shade throughout the day.

This is the pink tulip getting some shade. And of course my little Dessert Rose (which I prefer to call them, but they are really named “hens and chicks”) in the blue and white pot. They are succulent evergreen perennials. It is a super easy to grow plant.

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I can’t really explain why I find bamboo to be so familiar. Maybe it’s because my mom loves to cook with them, I mean the bamboo shoots. Or maybe because we use many bamboo products around the house, from chopsticks to rice baskets. Or is it because I’m Asian, and it just runs in my veins? But the best part of bamboo, is that cute panda bears just sit all day and munch on the leaves. Very good life.

The best news yet, is that it’s suppose to be environmentally better. It can grow fast (in 3 years) compare to longer for trees. Although it isn’t a tree, but a grass. People in Asia have been using it for centuries. And now bamboo is entering the market as in bamboo fabrics, flooring, and furniture too.

I have actually tried the bamboo fabrics and can say they are super soft. Just like acrylic or even cashmere. They have these great benefits such as being antibacterial. The fabrics keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Much like the fine organic alpaca fur too.

There seem to be a larger market for bamboo flooring then there is in textiles. Here are some really great sites you can visit to find out more about bamboo floorings. My favorite is Bamboo Hardwood, which has been around since 1995. They are from Washington state. Cali Bamboo also has a very nice selection. Another great site is Bamboo Revolution. I love their bamboo blinds (for the windows) very much. I hope to get blinds like that soon.

And in Chinese cultures, the bamboo represents good luck and wealth. For my birth year, they recommend I have potted bamboo in the entrance of the house. I have had it for about 3 years now and I’m not sure about the wealth I’m getting. But definitely luck has been on my side.