Why body brushing is good for you

We hope that 2019 is off to a good start for everyone! 

Thanks for sharing your new year's resolutions.  One of our favorite's-

Dry body brushing!

This easy addition to any morning routine, takes about 5 minutes. The results include improved skin health, reduced stress, increased energy, and better digestion. 

Dry body brushing isn’t new. For centuries, Native Americans here in Wisconsin used brushes made from dried corn husks to improve circulation and skin health. In Ayurvedic healing, dry massage is called Garshana. The Chinese integrated body brushing into their daily routines as an extension of eastern medicine. Today’s techniques come from insights into how energy flows through the body.

It’s fun and easy to do. Find a soft natural bristle brush that won't scratch. Beginners should start with a softer brush. You might want several brushes – like an even softer brush for your face and tummy. In general, take long, slow strokes and brush toward your heart. To benefit, plan on brushing once per day.

It's easy to do: 

1. Brush the soles of your feet which include important pressure points that relate to the rest of your body

2. Brush your legs in long strokes from your toes to the hips

3. Brush your arms in long strokes from fingers to the shoulders

4. Brush the back of your neck to your lower back

5. Brush your throat from your chin to your chest

6. Brush your sides in toward your heart

7. Brush your tummy in a clockwise direction to follow the path of your colon

8. Brush your ears with a soft brush – ears are full of pressure points

How does it work? 

Chinese medicine practitioner Matthew Scott explains why dry brushing works, “regular brushing clears away dead skin cells and improves skin tone and texture. The more substantial internal benefits, however, are due to the fact that the skin is the largest eliminative organ in the body. Regular brushing not only helps the skin to sweat away toxins, it also stimulates the underlying circulation of blood and lymph (a waste-removal fluid), which helps the body eliminate deeper level toxins.”

ANTIDOTE Avocado Hair, Beard, and Body Oil complements body brushing.

The Center for Accunpture and Herbal Medicine adds that brushing, "enables lymph to perform its house-cleaning duties by keeping the blood and other vital tissues detoxified. In addition, skin brushing is highly stimulating to surface circulation of blood and leaves you feeling invigorated."

Some people recommend adding a few drops of body oil to the skin before brushing.

Watch-out!

Because body brushing energizes, do not do it right before going to sleep. And never brush your private or tender parts.

Already a dry body brusher? We’d love to hear how you got into it… and keep the wellness tips coming in!

   -- Abigail + David, ANTIDOTE1848

ANTIDOTE1848 Avocado Hair, Beard, and Body Oil