The mechanism of dry brushing functions both on and below the skin’s surface. “Dry brushing may cause superficial exfoliation, may increase circulation in the skin, and may help with lymphatic drainage, if done properly,” says Patricia K. Farris, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.
From a traditional Ayurvedic perspective, dry brushing may help detoxify the body by encouraging a healthy flow of tissue fluids (known in Sanskrit as rasa dhatu), particularly lymph. Rasa dhatu refers to the body’s “inner ocean,” and rasa means “sap” or “juice,” according to Haasl-Blilie. She notes that in the human body, rasa refers to bodily fluids such as those described in conventional biomedicine as plasma (the liquid portion of blood), lymph (a clear-to-white fluid made of white blood cells and intestinal fluid), and interstitial fluids (the fluids around the cells). The Ayurvedic idea is that healthy and balanced fluids promote health in other areas of the body.
There’s still a lot we don’t understand about dry brushing from a conventional Western medical view. However, encouraging the flow of lymph fluid — thereby promoting lymphatic system function — may have beneficial health effects.
According to MedlinePlus, the lymphatic system is a major part of the body’s immune system. It comprises a network of organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and lymph vessels that make and move lymph from tissues to the bloodstream. This intricate network performs many key functions, such as maintaining fluid levels, protecting your body against pathogens (any bacteria, virus, or other substance that can make you sick), and transporting and removing waste products, per the Cleveland Clinic.
“We’re naturally supporting our overall health when we move lymph fluid,” Haasl-Blilie says. In conventional Western medicine, a healthy lymph system is fostered by staying hydrated and living a healthy lifestyle, which includes regular exercise. In Ayurveda, encouraging lymph health can also include dry brushing and other forms of traditional massage, as well as other treatments and lifestyle changes.
Dry brushing may be practiced on your own at home. However, it can also be performed by certified massage therapists or Ayurvedic practitioners. If you choose to go to an Ayurvedic practitioner, note that no U.S. states offer a license in practicing Ayurveda, according to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. That means you’ll need to do some research to find someone who’s qualified.
Look for a practitioner with extensive training and experience, Haasl-Blilie says, “because harm can be done.”
It’s possible to brush too intensely or frequently, which may cause microtears in the skin that can become irritated, inflamed, and infected, says Nina K. Antonov, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut, and an associate of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Haasl-Blilie suggests looking for someone with many positive client testimonials who’s been trained as an apprentice. Don’t be afraid to hop on the phone and ask the practitioner about their background before you go.
from Ketone Blog https://ketone2013.com/what-is-dry-brushing-a-guide-to-ayurvedic-exfoliation/
via Keto News
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