Is bamboo antibacterial?

Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and is extremely efficient at reprocessing nutrients, so it requires no pesticides and little to no fertiliser to grow, although some farmers will add the latter to increase yields. For this reason, it’s important for manufacturers to source from certified organic sources.

The natural antibacterial comes with any bamboo product not covered in colour.

A 2012 study released by the Journal of The Textile Institute proved that an Australian-grown Moso bamboo (phyllostachys pubescens) has natural antibacterial agents located in the plant’s “lignin.” Meanwhile, a study in Japan also established that bamboo shoot skins could be utilized as a possible antibacterial material in the future. 

Besides bamboo, other plants also discovered to have natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties include:

• Apple
• Chamomile
• Clove
• Garlic
• Hemp
• Onion
• Turmeric