Wood-like as it seems, bamboo is really a kind of grass, although quite sturdy compared to the green variety we find on our lawns. Most people probably know about furniture and cutting boards made out of bamboo, but actually, it is something of a universal material, that can be used for almost anything. Here, we present 8 uses of bamboo that are so remarkable they will blow your mind. Bamboo Beer Yes, it’s true! You can make beer out of bamboo. Well, not the stiff straws, mind you, but the leaves. Bamboo beer is like regular beer, but with an extract from the leaves added in to give both taste and texture. Some people even claim that drinking bamboo beer is good for your health and that it improves your immune system and prevents aging, fatigue and even cancer. Regardless of any health effects bamboo certainly makes for a new kind of interesting beer, offering previously unknown taste sensations for the beer enthusiast. Bamboo Scaffolding when building Skyscrapers We are used to scaffolding being made out of steel. It makes sense to us because steel is a very strong, yet relatively cheap and it’s not unreasonably heavy. Making scaffolding out of bamboo seems completely off the wall to us, but actually, it makes great sense once you consider its strength. In China, it has been used for ages, and is still in use today, when building everything from small houses to skyscrapers. Bamboo is very strong and can support almost any structure if used properly, but bamboo is also very flexible which is advantageous when you want a structure that will withstand high winds. Plus it is waterproof and does not rust. Eco friendly Bamboo cutlery Everything from spoons to cups and salt shakers. For a skilled bamboo artisan, there are hardly any limits to what kitchen utensils can be created from bamboo. It takes skill and practice, but it is a fact that a large proportion of our kitchen equipment does not need to be made out of steel or plastic if bamboo is available. Using bamboo for utensils has many advantages. It’s waterproof, lightweight and stain resistant. Best of all: It’s completely natural and biodegradable. Bamboo Toothbrushes Most people understand how you can make a toothbrush handle out of bamboo, but the actual brushes? Yes, those too.Bamboo is a stiff material, but the secret is in the fibers that make up the material. These small and strong, yet flexible fibers can be used for almost anything. Making brushes, among other things. Underwear While bamboo underwear might sound like they would be stiff and uncomfortable, the opposite is actually true. Making clothes from bamboo involves extracting the fibers by mechanical and chemical means and then weaving them into the fabric, just as you would with cotton. The result is very soft and comfortable indeed, while still strong and durable, and the material can be used to make all kinds of clothes, including socks and underwear. Bamboo makeup and pads Bamboo is an excellent material for makeup. Extract from the leaves is used in many makeup products themselves and the fibers are perfect for making makeup pads that are softer on the skin, last longer and are 100 percent natural. But it doesn’t end there. Bamboo is also perfect for other makeup accessories, such as brushes and other applicators, where you want soft, yet firm fibers for perfect control with high comfort. Bamboo is also commonly used for makeup cases and as a general packaging material. Medicine China is known for its centuries-old natural medicine tradition. The traditional methods of old continue to be an important component of Chinese medicine today and bamboo plays an important part. Bamboo and bamboo extracts have long been known for their anti-bacterial and other beneficial properties, and it continues to be used to treat conditions such as the flu, fever and various infections. In addition, a lot of modern research is being done on bamboo, to find applications for it in modern medicine. Bamboo is an electrical conductor After reading about all the amazing uses of bamboo, you may not be completely surprised to learn that intense research is being done on using bamboo in electronics. What may surprise you, though, is that it was actually tried and used successfully, by Thomas Edison, in his attempts to make a better light bulb. Edison discovered that carbonized bamboo fibers could be used as a filament and that they would have an expected lifespan of 1200 hours. Today, research is targeted at making nanotubes out of bamboo charcoal and to use it as a thin, conductive film on surfaces of glass or silicon substrate, as a way to create electric circuits. In the world of innovation and sustainability, the versatility of bamboo products continues to astound, spanning from beer and scaffolding to eco-friendly cutlery and even high-tech applications like electronics.