The following is part of an article I wrote for the Ohio AMTA Hands Across Ohio newsletter for the spring 2008 issue, entitled "Massage with Bamboo--Fusing Nature with Deep Relaxation." I will add excerpts from this article regularly. 

Used in China for over 5000 years, bamboo has many wonderful properties. With its origin in ancient times, it has been used for building, making paper, books and food. Sweet in taste, bamboo shoots are eaten in many popular dishes. In fact, bamboo is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine?it's roots to quench thirst and promote lactation, while the leaves assist with healing in a type of asthma caused by excessive phlegm, among other things.

 With luxuriant foliage, bamboo plants are a beautiful addition for massage rooms, offices, houses and parks. Naturally beautiful and resilient, bamboo is commonly used in many household items such as mats and wall hangings, baskets, chairs and fans.  It grows well on infertile land, regenerates itself after being cut and can tolerate extreme temperatures.