long life, soft sheets

In China bamboo is a symbol of a long life, and in India it symbolizes friendship; in both cultures, the bamboo plant is revered for its durability and practicality and can be found in everything from chopsticks and stir-fry to furniture, fences, and bamboo flooring.

Bamboo, while strong, is not a wood. It is a hollow grass that can be found on nearly every continent. And although there are more than 1,000 different species of bamboo, they all have one key characteristic; sustainability. Bamboo is perhaps Mother Nature's most hardy and most sustainable plant. Because it is free of the knots found in hardwoods, it is actually more stable and less likely to crack. And compared to a tree that may take sixty years to mature, some bamboo varieties can grow up to a foot in a day and all varieties renew in seven years or less. (The average is one to three years for most bamboo species.)

It is this quality that has sparked bamboo's recent evolution into the textile industry, showing up in everything from t-shirts to linens. And it's no wonder. Considering that it takes nearly 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to grow enough conventional cotton for one t-shirt, manufacturers and designers are looking for more sustainable options.

Nandina, a leading manufacturer of bamboo blend textiles, recently launched their Heavenly Bamboo Collection made from organic cotton and plantation-grown bamboo. All of the products, which range from robes to pool lounge towels, are colored with natural or low-impact dyes and since they are made from bamboo, they are highly absorbant, anti-microbial, and hypoallergenic. While the towels feel as plush as silk, they are machine-washable and very durable.

But Nandina's commitment to the environment extends beyond their products. Nandina towels are loomed in a factory powered by wind, creating a product that is environmentally friendly, sustainable, and luxurious. For more information visit www.nandina.org

Other companies also produce their own bamboo blends including vivaterra.com and gaiam.com. Be sure to check that the cotton is organic, however, as it doesn't do that much good purchasing a towel made from pesticide-laden cotton; even if it is blended with earth-friendly bamboo.

Melissa B.Williams is the Editor-in-Chief of Healing Lifestyles & Spas.