Did you know you could use bamboo tea for hair growth? Bamboo, the world’s fastest growing plant, has been used in herbal medicine since ancient times to support healthy hair. Studies have shown that it prevents hair loss, improves hair texture and makes hair thicker and fuller!
Bamboo tea is a remedy that’s been used in Ayurveda for hundreds of years to beautify the skin, hair and nails. It has a high silica content which promotes collagen production and makes the hair stronger and the skin more elastic. It is also a rich source of antioxidants which neutralise the free radicals that can age you.
Not only does Bamboo contains silica but it actually contains more silica than any other plant in the world! It has ten times the amount of silica than both stinging nettle or horsetail!
The body doesn’t need a lot of silica which means silica deficiencies are extremely rare. A healthy balanced diet (containing foods like oatmeal, potatoes, asparagus, artichoke) should ensure you get enough into your body.
Although deficiencies are rare however, the amount of silica we have in our bodies slowly declines as we age. It’s important therefore to replenish your silica levels in order to retain all the beauty benefits it brings. You can do this either with silica supplements or by drinking bamboo tea!
This post is all about using bamboo tea for hair growth
Bamboo Tea for Hair Growth
Why is Bamboo Tea Good for Hair Growth?
The reason why bamboo is so useful in promoting thicker, stronger hair is its high silica content. Bamboo has one of the highest concentrations of silica than any other plant in the world. It can contain as much as 70% silica, ten times more than horsetail which is also used to promote hair health and growth.
Silica is found in each hair strand (each gram of your hair contains 90 micrograms of silica), and it also helps to deliver essential nutrients to your hair follicles. It also has other beauty benefits including nourishing your skin and nails.
The Many Benefits of Silica
There are many health benefits of silica which include supporting healthy bones, protecting the heart from heart disease and boosting the immune system. There have also been suggestions that silica can assist with weight loss since it stops the body absorbing fat from food.
Since silica promotes collagen production there is also evidence it may help with digestive issues, and maintaining the lining of the digestive system. This is because collagen helps to build new muscle cells to heal the stomach lining and wall of the intestine. Most digestive problems happen due to the degradation of the lining of the gastro-intestinal tract, and silica plays a vital role in the synthesis of collagen and rebuilding of the gut lining.
Silica also helps to prevent the absorption of aluminium in the gut and also remove aluminium from the body in urine. This is important in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease as studies have shown a link between the amount of aluminium in the body and instances of Alzheimer’s disease.
The most common use of silica supplements however is for their beauty benefits. Many people increase their silica levels through either supplements or drinking bamboo tea to promote healthier hair. Scientific evidence has been found to prove the benefits of silica for hair, as well as skin and nails.
Evidence of the Benefits of Silica for Hair
A study conducted in 2007 involving 48 women with fine hair found that after taking 10mg of silicon for 9 months that their hair strands were strengthened.
Another 2012 study looked at the effect of an oral supplement containing silica on hair density. The supplement used was Viviscal® Maximum Strength which contains an organic form of silica derived from horsetail as well as vitamin C and a marine complex.
All of the women in the study had alopecia and were divided into two groups: one group took a placebo and another took the silica supplement. The study found that the hair density of women in the placebo group remained the same throughout the study. The treatment group however showed significant improvements in hair thickness and hair density.
Evidence of the Benefits of Silica for Skin
Silica promotes the production of collagen, which is your body’s most abundant protein and responsible for maintaining your skin’s elasticity and youthfulness. It keeps the skin firm and bouncy and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
A study was conducted in 2005 with 50 healthy women aged between 40 and 65 who had sun damaged skin. The women took two 10mg capsules of silica every day for twenty weeks. At the end of the period all the women in the group showed a significant improvement in their skin.
Evidence of the Benefits of Silica for Nails
Nails are predominantly made up of silica. Taking silica supplements or drinking bamboo tea makes nails stronger and helps to prevent nail infections.
The same 2005 study which analysed the effects of silica on skin also found that the nails of the women taking the supplements were significantly stronger and broke less often.
Summary of Silica’s Beauty Benefits
Regularly drinking bamboo tea or taking silica supplements may give the following beauty benefits:
- Hair becomes stronger and thicker
- Less hair shedding
- Increased hair growth
- Skin is firmer and more elastic
- Nails become stronger
How to Increase Your Silica Intake
You can increase the amount of silica in your body either with silica supplements or by drinking bamboo leaf tea on a daily basis. Some of our recommended teas and supplements are listed below.
How to Make Bamboo Leaf Tea for Hair Growth
In order to make the bamboo leaf tea take the following steps:
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried bamboo leaves to a teapot
- Bring 8 oz of water to boil
- Pour the hot water into the teapot
- Leave to steep for at least 5 minutes
- Add honey and lemon for flavour as desired
- Enjoy!
What You Need to Make Bamboo Tea
You will need either dry bamboo leaves and a teapot, or bamboo leaf tea bags.
If you are using dry bamboo leaves, I recommend the Valley of Tea bamboo leaves which are made up from the whole bamboo leaf. Valley of Tea source their ingredients from the finest in the world, and make sure they are loaded with the right nutrients, minerals and vitamins.
If you prefer to use a tea bag there are a number of different options available. Some herbal teas combine the bamboo leaves with green tea or mint to add to the flavour.
Tea from tea bags tends not have as much silica as when you make it using dry bamboo leaves. Drinking a cup of tea a day however should still give you great results in time with strong hair and more healthy hair growth.
Supplements Containing Bamboo Extract
If you don’t enjoy the taste of bamboo tea but want to increase your silica levels, the best way is with supplements. If you have a busy lifestyle a daily supplement may also be a more practical way to get more silica into your diet.
I take the Nature’s Best Silica supplement. It contains 200mg of silica from powdered bamboo leaf extract. It is used not only to promote thicker hair but also to improve overall health. Since silica is the building block of collagen, it has other awesome benefits for skin health and nail growth, and is also taken by some for healthy joints and bones.
The photograph below shows the size of the capsules. It is recommended that you take one capsule a day with your main meal.
Conclusion on Using Bamboo Tea for Hair Growth
Although a silica deficiency is extremely rare, the amount of silica in our bodies declines as we age. For this reason drinking bamboo tea or taking silica supplements regularly is recommended to keep your skin and joints supple and hair healthy and thick.
There is also evidence to suggest drinking bamboo tea may help with hair loss prevention and make existing hair stronger and fuller.
As well as silica, the bamboo plant also contains many vitamins and minerals associated with healthy hair growth. It is a powerhouse of nutrients that help to keep you looking young and vibrant!
Other ingredients that are often combined with bamboo to promote the health of hair include guava leaves, horsetail extract, black tea, organic coconut oil, olive oil, aloe vera and various essential oils such as spearmint and lavender.
Rachel Duerden
Wednesday 17th of March 2021
I didn't know you could consume bamboo. Thanks for enlightening me. 😀