So, let's talk about the beauty and benefits of 'brushing'. No, not your hair, not your teeth, but your skin..yes, your skin. Did you know there are actual benefits of brushing your largest organ? Well, there are and I'm about to indulge your brain as to the amazing benefits of this ancient holistic practice..let's go!

 

If you've followed my social media pages; facebook , Instagram and/or Twitter, you may have heard me mention the holistic practice of dry brushing in years past posts. As anyone who knows me (personally and cyber-ly) knows that I love anything that is calming, relaxing, holistic and meditative. This soothing practice is not only enjoyed in spas, but can also be enjoyed right in the comfort of your home..spa. If you have heard of dry brushing, you have heard that when doing this practice, you should brush towards the heart..but, there is actually much more to it than that. But, let's talk about some of the benefits of this practice. 

 

DRY BRUSHING BENEFITS:

LYMPHATIC SUPPORT and DETOXIFICATION: Though it is not spoken about much, our lymphatic system is a MAJOR part of our body's immune system. Made up of lymph nodes, ducts, vessels, and organs, it is the system responsible for eliminating cellular waste products. The lymphatic tubules allow waste to be collected from your tissues and transported to your blood for elimination, known as lymphatic drainage. When this important system is not working properly, waste and toxins can build up in turn making you sick. Lymphatic congestion is a major factor leading to inflammation and disease. By stimulating your lymphatic system and helping it release toxins, dry skin brushing is a powerhouse detoxification aid. Think of it like this..the blood system brings in the groceries, the lymphatic system takes 'out' the trash. Note: some may experience slight sickness when detoxing so be especially certain to fill the body with whole foods such as organic fruits, vegatables and lots and lots of water)

EXFOLIATION: Due to the movement and bristles of the brush, dry brushing aids in removing dead dry skin. Not only does this improve our skin's appearance, clears clogged pores and allows our skin to breathe (be sure if using a brush on the face, it is a softer bristle brush), it also aids in minimizing the effects that dust mites bring as they feed off of dead skin cells. Check out how JannyOrganically reduced her allergies by dry skin brushing..amazing, right!

RELIEVES STRESS: The act of dry brushing can be extremely meditative. The practice of dry brushing aids in reducing muscle tension, calming your mind which leads to relieving stress.

IMPROVES DIGESTION and KIDNEY FUNCION: Not only does dry brushing aid in elimating toxins, it goes deeper as it aids in supporting our digestive and organ functions. Many naturopathic doctors use dry brushing to help with bloating because massaging the lymph nodes helps the body shed excess water and toxins. I also found that castor oil packs do an amazing job of improving digestion and eliminating toxins from the body (I'll create a later post about the benefits of Castor Oil Packs). Dry brushing encourages the elimination of metabolic wastes which increases circulation to your skin.

REDUCES CELLULITE: Now, keep in mind, each person's body is different, so results may vary..but here is a little information as to how dry brushing has helped rid the body of cellulite. How dry brushing aids in potentially reducing cellulite is that it helps to soften hard fat deposits below the skin while distributing fat deposits more evenly. Dry brushing may also aid in removing toxins that break down connective tissue, though some believe the effect is temporary, mostly as a result of the skin becoming more plump and swollen after brushing.

HOW TO..DRY BRUSH THE CORRECT WAY

Now that we've chatted a bit about some of the benefits, let's indulge in how to dry brush the proper way. A great video that I found to be extremely useful was this DRY BRUSHING video after researching and reading and viewing so much information on dry brushing methods.

FIRST: Set aside 5-10 minutes of self care time and Seek out a quiet spot where you can really get into the moment...You could also simply hop in the shower and dry brush in the shower (water off) and afterwards enjoy a nice shower that rinses the dead skin down the drain and you nice and clean. Note: This practice may drain you a bit, so if you must return to work or have a busy schedule afterwards, wait until the evening to do dry brushing.

SECOND: Grab your high quality dry brush, I got my gal from GoodJuJu Herbal via Etsy. I loved the price and the fact that the bristles are natural vs. boar's hair. This one does not come with a handle, but I have been able to do what I need to do without one and I'm very very gentle on my facial area. You can also find them on Amazon, like the one HERE and one specifically for the face HERE...check the reviews. The bristles should be a little stiff, but not sand paper rough. 

THIRD: Watch THIS video for the in depth how to. You can brush your entire body, however, be sure to avoid areas of exposed wounds, abrasions, vericose veins or open sores.

FOURTH: Take a nice shower and slather on some of our CALM Body Oil, teehee, while your skin is still wet to lock in the moisture from your shower. 

 

FIFTH: Drink plenty of water..Remember, you just did a detox, so refuel...green smoothies are great as well.

Repeat daily, if possible, for the best results.

 My experience thus far has been that of smooth skin, though I exfoliate quite often using our products...but, my digestion has been even better and my skin feels tighter,. It can be quite addictive as any self care method can, but that's a great thing. Have you tried dry brushing? Feel Free to share your experience.

 

 

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