What’s the Deal with Dry Brushing?

Work in the field of pediatric physical therapy, dry brushing has always meant a therapeutic tool for children with sensory dysfunction. It helps them integrate sensory experiences by light brushing the skin with a very soft brush.

Today’s blog is not about THAT type of brushing.

Dry brushing is an ancient technique used commonly in Ayurvedic medicine that activates the lymph system as well as exfoliates the skin. It does this by increasing blood circulation and promotes lymph flow and drainage. The process of brushing unclogs skin pores and stimulates your nervous system, creating an invigorating experience.

Ok, so how does this all work?

To understand how dry brushing works, we need to understand the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. When functioning properly, it protects us from illness caused by foreign microbial and viral invaders. It helps the body maintain fluid levels, absorbs fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the digestive tract and removes cellular waste.

Lymph, the fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system, transports infection fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes as well as removed harmful and abnormal cells. When the lymph makes into one of the 600 lymph nodes we have in our bodies, it is filtered out and cleansed of abnormal cells, cancerous cells, and other harmful substances. There are six major lymphatic organs that play a major role in supporting our health. They include the:

• spleen: largest lymph organ and located on the left side of your torso. It filters and stores blood and produces white blood cells that fight infection.

• thymus: located in the upper chest, matures specific white blood cells that fight off foreign organisms.

• tonsils and adenoids: these key organs trap pathogens from the food we eat and the air we breathe. They are one of the first immune defense systems we have.

• bone marrow: spongy tissue in certain bones that store white and red blood cells. Platelets are made int he bone marrow.

• Peyer’s Patches: found in the mucous membrane of the small intestine that monitor and destroy bacteria in the intestine.

• appendix: its role is to destroy bacteria before it reaches the intestinal wall during absorption. Some scientists also believe that the appendix can help repopulate the gut with health bacteria after an infection.

What’s particularly interesting about this system is that unlike our vascular system that moves blood throughout our body, there is no pump for the lymphatic system. It relies on muscle contractions to move the lymph nodes and drainage points. We’ll talk more about this at the end.

My science brain LOVES this stuff and I could literally geek out all day on just this one body system. But I know that’s probably not why you are reading so let’s move on...

How do I do this dry brushing thing?

The best time to dry brush is the morning on dry skin, which is when your lymph system is fresh and well rested, as hopefully you are. Our body naturally detoxes via the skin at night, so brushing in the morning is a great way to maximize the detox effect as well as remove all that dead and dried up skin. (Side note: this is also why its SO important to wash your face in the morning!)

That’s not to say that doing this at other times isn’t effective. It is. It’s just BEST to do it in the morning. I do plenty of evening dry brushing, because sometimes that’s the soonest I get a shower. #life

First, you want to get yourself a firm brush with natural bristles and a long-ish handle. Start at your feet and brush upwards. This follows the tract of the lymph system, moving the lymph fluid towards nodes to get cleansed. You want to use medium pressure and long strokes. For example, I start on my calves and use one stroke to move the brush from my ankle to behind my knee.

When you get to your abdomen, use gentle circular strokes in a clockwise direction.

For your arms, repeat as you did for your legs, brushing towards the heart. As you move to your chest and neck, you’ll want to be a little lighter with the pressure because this skin is thinner and more fragile. Brush in short, soft strokes towards your heart. If you want to brush your face, I actually suggest a roller. Akane et al. (2018) found in a long-term study of Japanese women that facial massage improves vasodilation (aka it brings more nutrients to the skin). I am here for that. Just saying.

To finish, use your dry brush to make a circular motion over your heart. Check out the video below for great tips and a video tutorial.

Then, take a restorative shower and finish with a few drop of detoxification oil. I love including sunflower and jojoba oils as the carrier and adding in carrot seed oil, calendula, juniper, grapefruit, rosemary, and fennel essential oils, topped off with a drop of vitamin E. Your skin will thank you!

Sadly, while dry brushing has so many benefits, it has not shown to make any difference on cellulite. I’’ll keep on looking for that cure though.

For full benefits of dry brushing, do this 2-3x a week.

Other ways to support your lymphatic system

Hopefully I’ve impressed upon you the importance of taking care of your lymphatic system. It is a major player in keeping us healthy and cancer free. There are a few “brush-free” ways that we should ALL be utilizing to support our lymph health:

• Avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals like those in pesticides or cleaning products. These chemicals can build up in your system and make it harder for your body to filter waste.

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated so lymph can easily move throughout the body.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a healthy diet. Vertical movements such as jumping up and down on a trampoline are particularly successful at activating the lymphatic system! Even NASA agrees. Read the summary here on why they believe in what is called “rebounding.”

Have I inspired you to jump on the dry brushing community? Why or why not?

To your health,

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