Bamboos are evergreen plants in diverse climates, from cold mountains to hot tropical regions. They are fast-growing plants of cultural significance in Asia, used as building materials and food sources. Bambusa vulgaris is an open-clump forming type and one of the largest and most well-known bamboo species widely cultivated in Asia. In Korean culture, bamboo represents the winter season and symbolizes scholarly fidelity as one of four gracious plants or four gentlemen (Sagunja) in Korean.

Bamboo has a variety of uses, with the shoot, young leaves, and sap being used in many types of Asian cuisine, tea, or drinks. In oriental medicine, bamboo is used for treating infection and healing. It has been reported that bamboo extract shows anti-oxidant and melanogenesis inhibition activity.