Helping our bodies detoxify is an important part of any wellness regime, and caring for our skin is one way we can stimulate the body’s natural mechanisms toward DETOXIFICATION. Acting as the “third lung,” the skin‘s functions include respiration, excretion, blood and lymph circulation, immunity and the conduction of Vital Qi.
Skin discharges impurities from our body by absorbing oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide and water vapor. It’s surface is covered with pores, which act as a drainage system whereby blood, via perspiration, purifies itself of poisonous waste.
One way to accelerate the discharge of impurities within our body is with Dry Skin Brushing.
Dry Skin Brushing is an ancient practice – – from the Japanese using loofahs to the Cherokee Indians using dried corn cobs – – which, if practiced daily for a few months, cannot only improve body tone, enhance skin beauty and break down cellulite, but can also support blood and lymph circulation, boost the immune system and open up the movement for Qi along the acupuncture meridians. It is best and most enjoyable to follow skin-brushing sessions with hydrotherapy: in the shower, encourage blood circulation and the movement of lymph by alternating between hot and cold water, or after brushing, fill the tub with hot water and an essential oil for a luxurious soak.
Use a dry, natural fiber shower brush or loofa to massage your entire body before you shower or bathe. Start at the toes, and gently scrub using circular motions toward your heart. Just a few minutes a day will help you keep your body’s toxic burden low and your detox mechanisms working for the long haul.
