Evidence supporting the use of: Bamboo
For the health condition: Injuries
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Bamboo has been used traditionally in various cultures, especially in Asia, to support and treat injuries, primarily in the form of splints or as part of traditional medicine. In the context of physical injuries such as bone fractures or sprains, bamboo has served as a readily available material for making splints and braces due to its strength, flexibility, and light weight. Ancient Chinese medical texts describe the use of bamboo strips or slats to immobilize limbs, a practice that continues in some rural settings today when modern medical supplies are unavailable.
Beyond mechanical support, some traditional medicine systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), have used bamboo extracts (like Bambusa arundinacea shavings, known as "Zhu Ru") for their purported anti-inflammatory or healing properties. However, the evidence for chemical extracts directly treating injuries is limited, and most uses are for fever, cough, or mental agitation, not direct wound healing or fracture repair.
Scientifically, bamboo's physical properties make it effective for immobilization, but there is limited clinical research on its superiority or equivalence to modern materials. Thus, its use is supported primarily by tradition, especially as a splinting material in emergency or resource-limited settings, rather than by rigorous scientific validation of medicinal properties for injury healing.
Other ingredients used for Injuries
aloe veraamino acids
bamboo
bayberry
beeswax
Indian frankincense
bovine
bromelain
chymotrypsin
collagen
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
dandelion
dog rose
dyer’s woad root
endo-peptidase
exo-peptidase
fungal protease
ginger
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
l-glutamine
l-proline
licorice root
spruce
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
papain
protease
protein
purified silver
reishi mushroom
serratiopeptidase
silicon
trypsin
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
zinc
chickweed
typhonium
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
chaff flower
boxthorne
yarrow
moss
myrrh
solomon's seal
amber
sheep's sorrel
wintergreen
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
abies spectabilis
geranium
arnica
Aralia
Avens
Asclepias cordifolia
akebia
Animal Tissue
Antler
Aquilegia viridiflora
Asiaticoside
Ardisia
Agave
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Albizia
Aconite
Ajuga
Aucubin
Anserina
Albumin
American Liverleaf
Aquilegia formosa
Asam gelugor
Allantoin
Ampelopsis
Agonandra
Agrimonia pilosa
Acemannan
Acetylsalicylic acid
Abuta
Alkanna
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
Arani
Animal protein
Bee Propolis
Biopeptide
Bai Ji
Baliospermum
Black spruce
Blackthorn
Bulnesia sarmientoi
Blubber oil
Blepharis
Black-Eyed Susan
Boswellic Acid
Beef Protein
Barleria
Bone Marrow
Bovine Protein
Benzoin
Begonia fimbristipula
Banyan
Bletilla
Black root
Comfrey
Centella triterpenes
Calendula
Casearia esculenta
Common Monkey Flower
Calotropis gigantea
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Ceylon Leadwort
Cedar
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
cypress
Cranesbill
Chinese Thoroughwax
Carlina
Carrapichinho
Cedrus libani
Ceanothus integerrimus
Connective tissue growth factor
Cocklebur
Collinsonia
Castor Oil
Calyptridium umbellatum
Casearia sylvestris
Didymocarpus
Deer Root
Damulin A
Deer Velvet
Dragon's Blood
Devil's Club
Dianthrone
Dwarf Nettle
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Davilla rugosa
Deerbrush
Epidermal Growth Factor
Erythropalum scandens
Erigeron
Elephant Vine
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Echinacea
Emu Oil
Euphorbia
Egg protein
Elastase
Oak
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Silk protein
Other health conditions supported by bamboo
Abdominal PainAppetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Bleeding (external)
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Canker Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Constipation (children)
Cough (general)
Cuts
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Edema
Fever
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Injuries
Jaundice (adults)
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Ulcers