Dry Brushing as Part of your Self Care Treasure Chest
Dear friends,
Welcome to my weekly blog. Glad you are here.
Although there is no scientific evidence of the benefits of dry brushing, Ayurvedic medicine has touted this practice for thousands of years. So you can brush with confidence that at the very least you are getting rid of dead skin cells.
“Garshana”, the term used in Ayurveda for dry brushing, is commonly performed with raw silk gloves, linen, or a natural bristle brush. Often part of an Ayurvedic Spa menu, this practice can easily translate into your home bathroom before you shower.
Winter is an ideal time for Garshana as it sloughs off dead skin, while potentially stimulating the lymphatic system ( our body’s waste system which lies under the skin), promoting stimulation and detoxification.
A few practical tips:
1. Best done before a shower. Start with the bottom of the feet and move upward. Avoid breast area and face.
2. Do not dry brush if you have open warts, sensitive skin, or sunburn.
3. If you are also applying oil to the skin, wait in this scenario til after you shower.
4. This practice is ideal for Kapha types but may be too stimulating for Vata and Pitta types. Because winter is mainly a
Kapha season it can work for all three doshas right now. See how you feel.
5. Don’t do it more than twice a week. More is not better in this case.
6. Be gentle and let the brush do the work.
Know that you are doing good for your body, mind, and spirit by incorporating this ritual into your self-care treasure chest.
with fierce love,
Gedalia