Dry Skin Brushing

In this article, we are concentrating on supporting the organs of elimination including the liver, digestive tract and the lymphatic system. This week, we discuss dry skin brushing, a useful technique to help move lymph and promote circulation. Maintaining healthy lymphatics is a crucial step down the path toward immune system health.

Why a healthy lymphatic system is so important for preventing illness:

The lymphatic system is an intricate network of vessels and organs designed to clean waste and other toxins from your body. Lymph flows through nearly every organ in the human body and is responsible for such things as immune function and draining fluid from cells and returning it to the bloodstream. The lymphatic system has the less than glamorous task of being the body’s junk removal service. Removing debris from damaged cells flushing toxins, the lymphatic system transports this waste back to the blood vessels via a ducts that pass through lymph nodes. The body’s ability to detoxify waste, remove damaged cells and fight infections is directly tied to our lymph.

Dry Skin Brushing

Dry skin brushing uses a natural bristled brush to firmly brush the skin daily before a shower. The pressure of the natural bristles against the skin encourages blood flow and lymphatic movement and is a powerful way to promote drainage in the lymph nodes, clear the skin and reduce cellulite. With a rich history, dry skin brushing dates back to ancient times and was used by many cultures as part of a daily self-care ritual. Dry skin brushing is used by traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine practitioners in a process called garshana (rubbing or friction) and is used to remove ama, which can be described as cellular waste or the root cause of disease.

The major benefits to daily dry skin brushing

• Dry skin brushing is a great way to exfoliate skin and encourage the growth of new skin cells.
• Dry skin brushing moves lymph: blood flow and lymph flow go hand in hand. Where the blood flows the lymph will follow.
• Dry skin brushing improves blood circulation: moving blood is one key to help every organ in your body including your heart. Blood provides oxygen to organs and tissues.
• Dry skin brushing encourages the breakup of cellulite and fat: this is only one aspect to the puzzle, healthy exercise and proper nutrition along with dry skin brushing can encouraged the breakdown of stubborn areas of fat consolidation.
• Dry skin brushing increases your energy: this is a side-effect of the increased circulation and helps blood move around to help deliver oxygen throughout the body.

How to do Dry Skin Brushing

• Start at the bottom of your feet and move in clockwise, firm (not hard), circular pattern towards the center of your body.
• Perform this same circular pattern about 7-10 times before moving to the next area of the body.
• Look for a light pink flush to the skin as you move along.
• Repeat on arms, abdomen and back. Use a much gentler brush on the face.
• This should never sting, burn or turn your skin red, if it does you are brushing too hard. For best results do daily before you shower or bathe.
• Please avoid dry skin brushing if you have an active skin infection, fragile thin skin or in areas with active eczema or psoriasis. Avoid sensitive areas of the body.