Dry Brushing

Have you ever heard of a technique called "Dry Brushing?"

I am an artist and most artist have heard of this technique,

but I am not talking about creating an art piece...

Apparently, this dry brushing offers powerful detoxification!

It is said that skin is the body's largest organ of elimination.

My father-in-law has this saying that if you buy what

you want then you are more likely to take care of it.

I found this picture in Microsoft and thought it

was appropriate to use for what I am about to share.

If you had to buy your skin, would you take better care of it?

Your skin is able to eliminate as much as one-fourth of the total toxins that your body filters out -- up to 2 pounds of waste each day! BUT in order to do a good job,we need to keep our skin healthy and uncongested.  That's where dry brushing comes in handy.

Dr.. Gloria Gilbère, a renowned natural health practitioner, explains the value of dry brushing this way:
"With today's sedentary life-style, general lack of exercise, and use of antiperspirants...toxins and metabolic waste products become trapped in the body instead of being released with sweat."  It is believed that Dry Brushing stimulates the sweat glands and exfoliates the skin. Here's a list of benefits from Dry Brushing:

• Faster elimination of toxins
• Improved blood flow and circulation
• Reduced cellulite (my favorite)
• Accelerated lymphatic flow (clink the word for info)
• Exfoliation of the skin
• Cell regeneration
• Stimulates sebaceous glands (click the word for info)
• Boosts immune system
• Opens pores and cleanses skin  

The lymphatic system is sometimes called the "second circulatory system."  The lymphatic system cleans up the waste created by virtually all the other systems of the body. Our bodies have twice as much lymph fluid than it does blood! So while our circulatory system has the heart to keep the blood flowing, our lymphatic system does NOT have a "pump" to push the lymph fluids around our bodies. It solely relies on our breathing and movement to perform its function of protecting our bodies by removing dead cells, blood proteins and any other toxins...and excreting them from our bodies.

The flow of lymph can become sluggish if you DON'T exercise; especially rebounding exercises, and do
deep breathing exercises. These 2 activities keep the lymph circulating properly. Dry brushing can enhance the flow of the lymph through the body.  Dry brushing removes dead skin cells, thereby allowing the skin to breath and absorb nutrients.

NOW you know WHY it's important to take care of your skin. Now I will tell you the Dry Brushing Technique!!

It is recommended by the health experts to use a brush with NATURAL BRISTLES made from boar hair or plant fiber (or even a loofah). DO NOT use a brush with synthetic bristles for it can cause irritation.

The Dry Brushing technique should take no longer than 5 minutes:

1. Start at your feet and brush gently in small circular motions from toes to heel.
2. Continue up each leg, and as you reach your waist, turn your strokes slightly inward towards your groin (where lymph nodes are located).
3. To brush your arms, start at the finger tips and brush all the way up to your shoulders and armpits.
4. Next, brush your back from lower to upper.
5. Brush your stomach (downward strokes from navel towards hips and upward strokes from navel toward chest, avoiding breasts).
6. Rinse off, and take a shower for the best possible results.  (More on showers in a later post.)

Dry Brushing is most effective if done twice weekly. However, more frequent dry brushing will bring faster results.  The directions of the strokes are very important since it targets and stimulates the lymphatic system more effectively than just random brushing.  If you want to dry brush your face, please use a softer brush or a dry wash cloth and your strokes should be gentler.

Here's to your health!

Picture by Microsoft

Thanks to Underground Health Reporter for the information.