Bamboo Tabashir Bambousa arundinacea

          A native remedy to South India and Bengal, Tabashir is a siliceous resin found in the nodes of the female bamboo tree. Bamboo is an edible grass that has been part of the diet of humans and animals alike for thousands of years. Bamboo Tabashir has been used traditionally as a rich source of naturally occurring organic silica. Its silica content can be as high as 85% or more than 10 times the level found in the widely used Horsetail plant that contains about 5 - 7%. Besides silica, Tabashir contains iron, calcium, choline and betaine. This synergistic blending of mineral properties makes Tabashir an excellent and effective remineralizing agent useful in cases of osteoarthritis, painful joints, fragility of the cartilage (osteoporosis), hair or nails, and in prevention of the consequences of arteriosclerosis.

          Silica is one of the most important constituents of the body’s connective tissue including: cartilage, arteries, tendons, and ligaments. It functions as a cross-linking agent, providing strength, flexibility, and resilience to collagen and elastin connective tissues. It is also known to play a part in the integrity of the bones, arterial walls, skin, teeth, gums, hair and nails and has been used to alleviate eczema and psoriasis. Recently, modern research has focused on determining the role of silica in rheumatic disorders and arterial disease.

          Silica enhances the function of iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and boron, and is essential for bone development and growth. Bones need silica to re-calcify and to strengthen bone tissue. A silica deficiency in tissue causes a calcium deficiency which, in turn, results in a loss of elasticity. It has been shown that in bone demineralization, silica deficiency is a precursor to calcium deficiency.

          Silica may be useful in preventing osteoporosis and in strengthening the musculoskeletal system, preventing injuries and speeding the healing of fractures. It does this by helping in the creation of the body’s structural matrix for forming and repairing connective tissue. It also contributes to the buildup of minerals on this matrix during development. Silica is present in osteoblasts (bone forming cells) responsible for the deposition of calcium phosphate on the protein matrix of bone. It stimulates chrondroblast or cartilage-forming cells to deposit proteins and other structural materials on the matrix. Finally, it helps in the building process of fiber-forming cells important to the creation of collage.

          Silicon is thought to improve the cardiovascular system, decreasing the risk of coronary problems. It has been shown to be abundant (up to 14 times more) in the arteries of people who are free of heart disease. It is essential in maintaining the structural integrity, elasticity and permeability of the arteries, thereby regulating the blood pressure.

          Silicon also plays an important role in helping the body to eliminate aluminum. Aluminum is thought to be a causative factor in certain forms of senility, including Alzheimer’s disease.

          Maintaining a healthy level of silica may retard the aging process. The average adult body requires the maintenance of about 20 grams of silica to promote good health. However, the body metabolizes and secrets about 10-40mg of silica per day through urination, hair loss and nail trimming. Thus, the body’s natural level of silica declines with age causing signs of aging such as bone loss, dry and wrinkled skin, weakened teeth and gums and hair loss to occur.

Reference

           Mowrey, Daniel B. Herbal Tonic Therapies. Random House. 1996. p271-273.