World Bamboo Day 2021 | 10 facts about bamboo and why it's a better ch

World Bamboo Day 2021 | 10 facts about bamboo and why it's a better choice for you and the planet.

Stephanie Audino September 15, 2021

FACT 1: Bamboo is grass, not a tree

Bamboo is actually a member of the grass family, which explains its speed of growth. Like all plants, bamboo starts out like a seed. The seed sprouts grow roots and develop into a rootstalk - also known as a rhizome. As the rhizome grows, it produces more roots and eventually, it forms a bud. This bud can either develop into a shoot or another rhizome. Rhizomes are important because their growth pattern determines how the overall colony grows and spreads. Depending on the type of bamboo, rhizomes can grow in one of two ways, vertically or horizontally.

A fully grown shoot is called a culm and is usually what you think of when we say bamboo. Culms replenish their leaves every sprouting season as new bamboo shoots grow around them. This fast replenishment is what makes bamboo a great renewable resource.

Did you know that some bamboo species can reach over 30 meters in height, with a bamboo shoot growing up to 1 meter per day? As a grass, bamboo can fully mature in three to five years, making it one of the fastest-growing plants on earth.

FACT 2: Bamboo is naturally organic

Unlike most crops, bamboo requires no agricultural chemicals to thrive. No pesticides, fertilisers or irrigation is required to enhance bamboo’s growth. Bamboo’s natural pesticides are in the actual plant matter. This means that bamboo doesn’t require chemical treatment as part of the growing phase. Boody bamboo is grown in the rainy Sichuan province of China and relies solely on rainfall to grow.

FACT 3: Bamboo absorbs greenhouse gases

Bamboo absorbs carbon dioxide and releases 35% more oxygen into the atmosphere than the equivalent area of trees. Bamboo is a crucial element in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This makes bamboo excellent for absorbing greenhouse gases and producing clean, fresh oxygen. Ahh!

FACT 4: Bamboo fabric is antibacterial and hypoallergenic

Bamboo contains an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal bio-agent which is retained through the process of fabrication and after washing. This property also makes Boody garments odour-resistant. The structure of the bamboo fibres contains micro-gaps, which provide ventilation and evaporates moisture that causes bacteria to multiply. Did you know that the smooth bamboo strands do not snag against each other, and won't cause a blockage in the gaps of the weave?

FACT 5: Bamboo fabric is moisture absorbent

Bamboo fabric wicks moisture away from the skin to keep you dry and comfortable. The evaporation, which naturally occurs, drives moisture to continually travel towards the surfaces of each bamboo fibre. It wicks moisture away from the skin and keeps you cool no matter how much you sweat! Bamboo fabric is also self-regulating, which means it also provides good thermal protection in colder months.

FACT 6: Bamboo consumes less water

The fashion industry is the world's 2nd largest consumer of water. The process of growing bamboo versus growing cotton is much less water-intensive. Bamboo requires one-third the amount of water to grow than is necessary for cotton. Bamboo is self-sufficient and requires no irrigation, using water much more efficiently and relies solely on rainfall to grow. All water used in the production process is recycled and reused.

FACT 7: Bamboo fabric is anti-static and UV protective

Bamboo fibres feature natural UV resistance. As a result, All Boody garments are made from a UPF50+ rated fabric that will protect you from ultraviolet (UV) damage. Bamboo fibre smoothly falls into place in its weave, leaving gaps open for air to flow freely. The bamboo fabric possesses anti-static properties that prevent the garment from clinging uncomfortably to your skin. No static-cling is produced when washed or dried.

FACT 8: Bamboo fabric is breathable and thermoregulating

Bamboo fibre is naturally breathable because of its structure. The gaps in its weave allow air to flow freely through, naturally regulating the temperature. The weave regulates the temperature between your body and the air, making you feel warmer when it’s cold. This level of breathability and thermoregulation is not possible with other fabrics including cotton and synthetic fabrics.

Did you know that when planted, bamboo can cool down the surrounding air by up to 8 degrees in summer? Natural air-conditioner!

FACT 9: Bamboo is softer

Although bamboo is used as a building material and has a higher compressive strength than wood, brick, or concrete, it can actually be woven into one of the world’s softest fabrics. Viscose from bamboo can be compared to some of the most luxurious fabrics like silk! Bamboo fabric is extremely durable yet still has a natural soft and silky feel to the touch. Bamboo fibres are smooth and round and contain a natural ingredient called pectin that helps enhance its soft texture. The fabric drapes elegantly without wrinkling.

FACT 10: Bamboo is diverse and versatile

Bamboo is the fastest growing and most versatile plant in the world, with some species of bamboo shooting up as much as one metre a day. Bamboo is a popular material and has had hugely diverse uses over the last 5,000 years, from bows and arrows to kitchenware, toilet paper and apparel. Bamboo has more than 2,000 uses around the world.

Organically grown bamboo is highly breathable, comfy and soft; making it perfect for garments that sit close to the skin like underwear, socks and everyday basics. Boody has always championed bamboo, it’s our choice for comfort, health and sustainability.

Start choosing bamboo today.

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How to Support your Skin and Body through your Period

For many people, the menstrual cycle comes and goes with minimal impact. But, for those who experience cramps, fluid retention, lack of energy, headaches and irritability, that time of the month can be a time they dread. And while feeling awful on the inside, let's not forget the external impact of hormonal changes on the skin. Before, during and after your period, it's common to experience skin dryness, irritation, excess oil, breakouts, acne and redness. These monthly changes can start as early as the teenage years and respond to hormonal fluctuations throughout adulthood, pregnancy and menopause. For many, hormonal skin is a life-long condition. You can identify a hormonal breakout as spots most commonly occur around the jawline, neck and chest area. Pimples are usually sore and nodular, cyst-like and pustular. While we've become conditioned to applying harsh topical treatments and heavy makeup to try and cover up hormonal breakouts, we encourage our community to embrace this time of the month and love the skin they're in. But, if hormonal breakouts are getting you down, as with most skin concerns, a holistic approach to hormonal skincare can help lessen the symptoms and make 'that time of the month' more bearable. We've teamed up with our friends at Biologi to share tips for supporting the body through your period. Skin sequencing with active ingredients Get to know your cycle and adjust your regime to include phyto-actives that target redness and inflammation to soothe and calm the skin as you need them. While there's no such thing as a topical 'cure' for hormonal acne and breakouts, Biologi recommends to apply their Bd Luminosity Serum directly to hormonal breakouts as it's rich in tartaric acid, gallic acid and quercetin that work in synergy to reduce redness and inflammation and help calm inflamed skin. The tartaric acid in Davidson plum also works as a fully active, natural enzyme that breaks down dead skin cells and regulates oil flow to reduce blockages in the cells and minimise the appearance of breakouts. The week before your period is due, introduce Bg Defence Anti-Pollution Serum containing salicylic acid that can penetrate the pores and effectively keep them clear of oil that leads to breakouts. Working in synergy with niacinamide and vitamin C, the active ingredients can also help reduce redness and irritation. Get into a good sleeping pattern Sleep is one of the best medicines for irritated skin as this is the time when the skin respires, repairs and rejuvenates. Aim for six or more hours of unbroken sleep a night with light covers to avoid overheating. Our Boody sleepwear crafted in organically-grown bamboo is specifically designed to improve your sleep, including its ability to regulate your body temperature. Bamboo is thermoregulating- meaning you’ll feel cool in summer and warm in winter. Don't squeeze spots We completely understand the temptation for 'just a little pick', but it's not just a myth that you shouldn't squeeze pimples! Not only can touching spots transfer bacteria to the healthy cells, but scarring can also occur making the problem longer-term than once a month. Pay attention to nutrition A healthy gut and a balanced endocrine system often go hand in hand. An imbalance in one may lead to an imbalance in the other. If you experience symptoms as a result of a bacterial imbalance caused by food intolerance or vitamin or mineral deficiency such as zinc, this can affect the production of essential hormones that can impact the skin. Consult with a dietician or naturopath to rule out any nutritional imbalances and advise on supplements to support the skin. Avoid sugar and alcohol While the body might be craving the sweet stuff at this time of the month, too much sugar or toxins can cause an inflammatory response that can leave the skin red, dull and irritated and directly lead to breakouts. Focus on consuming whole foods packed with nutrients and your skin will usually thank you for it. Support the skin barrier A healthy skin barrier can help reduce the impact of hormonal changes. Avoid over-exfoliating and keep the skin barrier hydrated and strong by applying antioxidants. Avoid hot showers and harsh products that can strip the skin's natural oils leaving the skin dry and tight. Reduce stress and #DoLess Too much stress increases cortisol release which can lead to breakouts. While there's often no way to avoid stress in our modern world, identify some stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing or just a relaxing bath. Feeling confident at 'that time of the month' can also help reduce stress, so take a look at the products you use to support yourself during your period. Here at Boody, we have proudly launched our Period and Leak-proof underwear campaign, #DoLess. For too long, we’ve seen an unrealistic portrait of people who menstruate and leak. Sometimes, especially when we’re in pain or feeling fragile, it’s okay to just be. Learn more about our campaign here. Check out our range of period and leak-proof underwear, everyday underwear and sleepwear are the best for creating comfort in everyday life and at that time of your cycle. Introduce regular LED to help minimise the breakout Blue LED treatments can help kill the bacteria that gather in the pores leading to breakouts. The LED can also reduce the activity in the sebaceous glands reducing oil production that can become blocked in the pores leading to breakouts. Hormonal skin is unavoidable for most people at some point in their life. As with all skin concerns, understanding specific triggers combined with applying active ingredients can help reduce the impact of hormonal acne and increase confidence during your period. To support hormonal skin with active ingredients, visit and learn more at Biologi today. For comfortable period and leak-proof underwear and bamboo sleepwear and bamboo loungewear, shop Boody now. [email protected] Trustpilot

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We're Turning Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

For the month of October, we're releasing a limited range of McGrath pink underwear styles, with 100 percent of the profits from each item going directly to the Mcgrath Foundation. Shop our McGrath pink collection. 100% of profits go to the McGrath Foundation. Padded Shaper Crop Bra > Classic Bikini > Original Boxers > Giving back is a core value for us. Being an underwear brand, we have a natural affinity with the McGrath Foundation but our connection also runs deeper - many reviews on our website are from people sharing their love for the natural softness, breathability and comfort of its bamboo bras following breast cancer-related surgeries. In fact, bamboo is one of the most soothing fabrics to wear while recovering from surgery or having chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial so it can be worn against the skin without risking infection, it wicks moisture away from the skin and absorbs excess perspiration (a side effect of cancer-related hormone treatments) and it is super soft and kind to even the most sensitive skin. We're proud to support the McGrath Foundation, the Australian organisation funding McGrath Breast Care Nurses who provide every type of support from emotional to physical for individuals and their families experiencing breast cancer. 100% of profits go to the McGrath Foundation. SHOP NOW Note: This exclusive collection is available on our AU and NZ website's only.

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The History of International Women’s Day

When is International Women’s Day? International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated around the world on the 8th of March. What is International Women’s Day? International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when all women are recognised for their achievements. International Women’s Day was first born out of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Since those early days, International Women’s Day has grown in prominence and reach, touching women in every corner of the world. The growing international women’s movement has helped make International Women’s Day a central point for action including building support for women’s rights and their full participation in the economy, politics, community and in everyday life. History of International Women’s Day In 1910, Clara Zetkin, the leader of the Women’s Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day at the second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. The proposal received unanimous support from over one hundred women representing 17 countries. The very first International Women’s Day was held the following year on March 19th. Meetings and protests were held across Europe, with the largest street demonstration attracting 30,000 women. In 1913, IWD was moved to March 8th and has been held on this day ever since. International Women’s Day in Australia Australia’s first International Women’s Day was held in 1928 in Sydney. Organised by the Militant Women’s Movement, women called for equal pay for equal work, an 8-hour working day for shop girls and paid leave. The next year the event spread to Brisbane. In 1931, annual marches were launched in both Sydney and Melbourne and both marches continue to be held today. International Women’s Day today International Women’s Day has become a time to reflect on progress, to call for change and to celebrate the courage and determination of the women who changed history, and those who will advance gender equality into the future. International Women’s Day is an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful change. Did you know? In 1913, IWD was moved to March 8th and has been held on this day ever since. Russian women demanded — and gained — the right to vote in 1917 as a direct consequence of the March protests and after more than 40,000 women and men again took to the streets demanding universal suffrage. Suffragettes in the U.K. and their counterparts in the U.S. both looked to Russia as an example and held what they saw as the country’s progress and liberation of women up as a mirror to their own governments, warning that they were lagging behind. The earliest purported Women's Day observance, called "National Woman's Day", was held on February 28, 1909, in New York City IWD initially had no set date, though it was generally celebrated in late February or early March. Americans continued to observe "National Women's Day" on the last Sunday in February, while Russia observed International Women's Day for the first time in 1913, on the last Saturday in February The United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day in 1975, which had been proclaimed the International Women's Year. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as an official UN holiday for women's rights and world peace. It has since been commemorated annually by the UN and much of the world, with each year's observance centred on a particular theme or issue within women's rights. Shop Women's Clothing.