Our Nails: A Sign of Health and Beauty

One of the most obvious signs of health is the condition of our nails.  A smooth, pink nail without grooves or ridges that lies in a natural cuticle bed speaks of a balanced diet and intelligent care of the body in general.  Our nails are a great example of how we feel about ourselves, and with conscious care and some change in habits, there is no reason why they can’t reflect the beauty that we all deserve to radiate.

Nails are made of keratin, a protein that forms in layers underneath the nail bed.  As new keratin cells grow old they harden and push out towards the fingertips.  Nourishing the nail bed is fundamental in assuring a strong, healthy, shiny nail. 

A Healthy Diet for Nail Health

It is not difficult to obtain and maintain good nail health.  A balanced diet is the key.  Here are a few essential nutrients that are important to include in our daily regime:

Biotin

Biotin is one of the B-complex vitamins. Biotin if fundamental in assisting the growth of cells and is found in egg yolks, goat and cow milk, liver, peanuts, almonds, strawberries and raspberries, Swiss chard, carrots, cauliflower, and cucumbers.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is filled with antioxidants and helps with the formation of collagen, which is essential for keeping nails at their best and hangnails at bay.  Eating foods containing vitamin C, such as fruits and brightly colored veggies, is key to having gorgeous nails.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Nail health increases dramatically when Omega 3 fatty acids are added to the diet.  Eating walnuts, flaxseeds, kidney beans, soybeans, sardines, herring, mackerel, sockeye salmon and other coldwater fish are a great way to get your dose.  You can also take on Omega 3 supplement in the form of fish oil, flaxseed oil, or evening primrose oil to keep your nails supple and in top form.

Good Nail Habits

Taking care of our nails often has to do with changing our habits. Here are some key suggestions to ensuring that your nails show off their natural beauty:

·      Keep you cuticles moisturized

·      Use hand cream several times a day

·      Use sunscreen on hands and cuticles during the summer months

·      Always wear gloves when doing dishes, housework, and gardening

·      Make sure all of your nail implements are clean and disinfected

·      Change your nail files often to avoid a build-up of bacteria

·      If you have cuts or tears in your cuticles, disinfect them with hydrogen peroxide

·      Avoid products containing formaldehyde or toluene

·      Never soak your nails as they expand and weaken with prolonged exposure to water

·      Don’t overuse nail polish remover and avoid getting it on cuticles and skin

·      Never push your cuticles back, just leave them alone

·      Don’t pull out your hangnails, instead cut them away gently

·      Don’t type with the tips of your nails use your finger pads instead

·      Use a letter opener instead of your fingers when opening mail

Please take a look at The Body In Form store to find hand-picked items for easy purchase online such as:  vitamins, herbs, beauty products, and self-help, health, and recipe books that encourage you to have a body - and life - in form!

Boosting Your Hormones and Sex Drive

Maca…. You’ve probably heard about it by now if you’re not already taking it.  I have a heaping tablespoon of the pulverized root everyday in my morning cereal or blended juice drink and am ready to take on the world!

Maca, or “lepidium meyeni” grows in the high altitude mountains of Peru.  It is a tuberous root and a member of the radish family.  Maca has been considered a nutritious food and a powerful medicament by indigenous healers and shamans for countless centuries, with its first recorded use by outsiders in the 16^th century when the Spanish discovered its healing properties. Used for its root only, maca’s active ingredients are “macamides” and “macaenes, “ which adapt to each individual’s metabolism increasing energy, vitality, and overall health in all aspects.

A Powerful Adaptogen

Adaptogens are plants that benefit organisms without causing negative side effects while working with the natural rhythms of the body. Maca’s adaptogenic qualities work to reinforce the immune system while flooding the body with needed nutrients that increase energy and endurance.  Because maca contains an extraordinarily high concentration of adaptogens, it is able to heighten our resistance to free radicals and toxins by strengthening and nourishing all of our bodily functions.

A Few of the Benefits

Some of the benefits of maca include assisting the digestive process, nourishing and calming the nerves, helping to build muscle mass, providing support to the adrenal glands, and strengthening bones and teeth.  Maca is a powerful anti-carcinogen and antioxidant and so provides specific assistance to the immune system.  The root additionally stimulates the circulatory system, which contributes to a healthy heart and glowing skin.

Chock Full of Nutrients

Maca contains many vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, sodium, iron, zinc, iodine, copper, selenium, manganese, tin, silicon, C, E, B1, B2, and B12, which is difficult to find in foods if you are a vegetarian. It also contains phosphorus, an essential building block for nurturing the cells. Maca additionally has one of the highest lipid contents of all roots, including linolenic, acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid. What is more, because maca is high in alkaloid content, it is fully able to assist the body in properly assimilating all of these nutrients. 

The amazing news is that a single maca root contains approximately 60 phyto-nutrients along with amino acids, fatty acids, sterols, vitamins, and minerals.  A spectacular powerhouse of health coming from one small, ugly Peruvian root!

 And Now…..Maca’s Greatest Claim to Fame!

With all of the incredible and aforementioned benefits that maca offers, the root’s real claim to fame is its ability to restore and regulate natural hormonal balance in both women and men, which reinforces and re-instigates (when necessary) sexual function. 

Maca exerts an extremely beneficial influence over endocrine function and the glands that produce chemical messengers known as hormones.  Hormones are the key to normal bodily functions, including metabolic function, energy reserves, and sexual development and performance. As properly functioning hormones flow throughout the blood stream and into the organs and tissues, they nourish and stimulate the adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid, and pituitary glands along with the hypothalamus, pancreas, thymus, ovaries, and testes.  

Interestingly enough, maca itself does not contain hormones, but rather the nutrients that power the entire endocrine system. By getting the glands to produce the necessary amounts of hormones our bodies are kept in balance on all levels.  The one thing maca does contain that I have not yet mentioned are potent aphrodisiac properties.  This, combined with its ability to release hormones, accounts for maca’s indisputable ability to increase sexual desire and correct and improve sexual function.  And as we all know, when all systems are in sync this is the surest way to not only physiological health, but to emotional health as well!

Purchasing Maca

When buying maca, look for brands that have harvested the root from the Andean mountains, for it is the high altitude that assures the greatest amount of nutrients. Make sure the maca is not cut with fillers like rice flower or maltodextrin, and that it is Certified Organic and processed accordingly.  It should also be gelatinized, which is an extrusion process that removes the starch from the root so that the powder mixes more easily into beverages and food, is easier to digest, and tastes good. Lastly look to see that the brand encourages fair trade practices that help to support traditional and sustainable harvesting methods.

Sprinkle maca over cooked or uncooked cereal or put a tablespoon in a blended fruit of vegetable drink.  Always use a non-metallic spoon such as plastic or wood when measuring maca.  Ingest and enjoy the results!

Healing Acne Without Medication

Radiant skin is what we all hope to achieve as it is a sign that our internal body is healthy and cleansed. When the skin is affected by breakouts it is generally because there is an overabundance of sebum, a waxy substance that helps to keep the skin moist. When too much sebum collects, it will clog pores causing skin inflammation as bacteria begins to build up in the area. When sebaceous glands are blocked, the ducts leading to these glands harden and any exposed area will fill with dirt, causing blackheads. When this debris cannot reach the ducts to be cleansed away, whiteheads are formed. If the skin retains these impurities, it becomes red, rough, and irritated even further, leading to what we call acne.

Acne is a condition that can be caused by a wide variety of factors such as allergies to foods and skin products, environmental toxins, poor diet, hormonal imbalances, and stress. When acne occurs, it can seriously affect one’s self esteem on top of being physically stressful and uncomfortable. But acne is completely treatable with a bit of consciousness, discipline, and patience. With a healthful diet that helps to keep the organs cleansed for effective digestion along with proper cleansing and the reduction of stress your skin can be as clear as a baby’s.

Eating Right For Your Skin

If you suffer from acne, the first step is to take a look at your diet, which always is the first place where things can go wrong.  Poor diet affects all of the organs. Fried foods, fast foods, fatty foods, pesticide-filled foods, sodas, and sugar are just some examples of foods that are unfriendly to the skin.  By changing the diet wonders are worked on and for the entire body.

When there are too many toxins in the system due to misguided eating habits,  the gastro-intestinal system cannot function properly, meaning it is unable to get rid of impurities. The body naturally wants to sweep waste material away and does so with the help or the liver, bowels, and kidneys. If these organs are blocked, the skin must work overtime to eliminate extra waste, which ultimately leads to blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, cysts, boils, and other evidences of acne irritation. 

Eating fresh, organic fruits and vegetables are essential for creating a healthy body and in turn a glowing skin free of blemishes.  Containing vitamins C and E, which help sweep out toxins, fruits and veggies should be eaten raw, lightly steamed, or combined in blender drinks. 

Orange and red fruits and veggies contain beta-carotene, a component that helps clear out impurities while strengthening the immune system and fighting free radicals. These include cantaloupe, berries, carrots, pumpkin, and red peppers.

Dark green leafy vegetables such as parsley, alfalfa, spinach, and kale contain the vitamins and minerals zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, chromium, and B6, which  help to fortify the skin’s ability to heal and remain healthy. 

Whole grains contain the vitamin Bs and when combined with lentils, garbanzos, or other beans create the protein needed to sustain energy and health. Tofu, a derivative of soybeans, is another food that acts as a good substitute for meat. Make sure you buy only organic tofu as these days soy is highly GM modified.

Seaweeds like kelp, kombu, hijiki, and nori are chock full of iron and iodine, which fight bacteria and regulate the thyroid gland, which is responsible for keeping the organs in balance.

Drinking lots of water throughout the day will help speed up the cleansing process along with healthful foods that provide necessary healing nutrients.  Try to avoid all meat during the cleansing period as it can be difficult to digest.

Juice Cleanse for Skin

Making a blended drink consisting of raw beets, carrots, and parsley or alfalfa is an ideal way to stimulate the liver, which is the organ that is often affected the most by a poor diet. As the liver is a big player in cleansing the system, it is important to keep it in the best condition possible. Add a teaspoon of cod liver, linseed, or borage oil for extra Omega 3 fatty acids, which also help to keep the liver nourished.

Hang In There As You Cleanse!

If you have been eating poorly, as you change your diet you may feel a bit under the weather for a while as the toxins begin to move and discharge. Don’t let this discourage you as this is natural. Many people misinterpret this feeling of ill health, thinking that it indicates something wrong in the cleansing theory. But common sense will tell you that as waste products move through the blood stream you are bound to feel them before they exit for good, and feeling slightly off-key is an indication of how toxic your system really is.

Herbs Against Acne

There are many herbs that work to clear the blood stream of toxins that block skin health. Antiseptic herbs such as calendula, echinacea and goldenseal work wonders to rid the body of waste. There are also particularly soothing herbs that can help reduce inflammation and dampen the effects of itching and other discomforts.  These include:

·      Nettle

·      Lavender

·      Chamomile

·      Licorice

·      Barberry

·      Honeysuckle flower

·      Gotu kola also heals broken skin and boosts the immune system.

• Sarsaparilla also rids the body of excess toxins and purifies the bloodstream.  
• Milk thistle also cleanses the liver.

Herbs can be taken on their own or combined to make a good cleansing tea or tonic for sipping throughout the day, warm or cool.

Herbal oils can be topically applied to acne for soothing inflammation.  They can be applied directly to the area on a saturated cotton ball. These include:

• Calendula
• Comfrey
• Evening primrose oil

Tea tree oil  is an especially effective antibacterial substance that penetrates the skin on a cellular level. It can be applied to the skin in pure form, or added to any neutral cream or moisturizer. 

Aloe vera is also effective when applied to acne, especially if the skin cannot  retain moisture due to temperature changes, allergic reactions, or sensitivity to the environment. Aloe also helps to remove dead skin cells so that new and healthy skin can form.

Red Clover

I want to take a moment now to write about an exceptionally potent herb for acne and that is Red Clover.

Its Latin name is Trifolium pratense, and it is also called Trefoil, Purple Cover, Cleaver Grass, and Cow Grass.  Red Clover grows all over the US, Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia and is the actually state flower of Vermont!  With its long stalks, hairy stems, and reddish purple flowers, Red Clover has been used by the Native Americans for centuries due to its ability to purify the body and thus heal skin conditions, including acne.

Red Clover purifies the bloodstream by de-congesting the liver. The flowers also works as a diuretic, flushing out uric acid through the kidneys and bladder. An anti-inflammatory, red clover rids the chest and lungs of phlegm and mucus;  helps with the production of bile, which is essential in liver cleansing; and stimulates  digestive fluids to help eliminate toxins and restore the organs to health.

Red clover contains a wide range of necessary nutrients such as isoflavones, coumarins, flavinoids, lecithin, calcium, chromium, choline, magnesium, manganese, iron and vitamins B, C, and E.  It also contains a trace element called molybdenum, which helps eliminate nitrogenous waste that is often the cause of skin problems.  

You can eat red clover in salads or take the flowers as a tea, capsule, or tincture. Make sure you buy organic red clover to avoid any possibility of ingesting pesticides, which can further irritate the skin.

Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic medicine can be a highly effective way to reduce the effects of acne by the problems going on inside the body.  There are several formulae, all of which are best taken via a homeopathic doctor’s recommendation.  Some include:

·      Kali bromatum to help stop itching. 

·      Sulfur to help break down rough and hardened skin while also relieving constipation.

·      Antimonium tartaricum to help eliminate the formation of pus.

It is best to consult with a professional homoeopathist to get a correct diagnosis for appropriate treatment. 

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic medicine is based on ancient Indian medical knowledge. According to this protocol, acne is cause by an aggravation of an internal condition called Pitta-Disha and can be treated naturally by eating specifically bland foods such as oatmeal, natural apple sauce, and rice.  By eliminating fried and spicy foods as well citrus fruits, Ayurvedic healers believe the skin has a better chance to heal. Tea made from cumin, coriander, and fennel is considered to be very helpful in soothing the irritating sensations associated with acne.

An excellent panacea to take the sting out of acne is made by creating a paste of both course and fine natural oatmeal.  Leave it on the affected area to dry and then wash it off gently with warm water. Other healing pastes can be made with almond powder and goats milk or chickpea powder and water.

Here again, it is best to consult with an Ayurvedic doctor to get the right diagnosis for your skin.

Neem Oil

One of the most powerful Ayurvedic treatments for the skin is the use of neem oil. Written about in India’s ancient texts, neem is the ultimate anti-bacterial, blocking the growth of viruses, healing a myriad of skin ailments, and restoring elasticity to abused and poorly functioning skin.  Neem contains essential fatty aids along with vitamin E and can be applied topically to help heal the effects of acne and other skin eruptions.

Cleansing the Skin

One of the most important steps to take for your skin, whether you have acne or not, is to cleanse properly in order to keep your pores free of bacteria. In the case of acne, wash with natural soaps or gels that contain mild components like aloe vera or oatmeal. Look for brands that contain no additives, which can cause allergic reactions. Keep your hair shampooed regularly, again with natural and mild products and if you need to shave, use a fresh blade each time. Never, ever pick at, pop, or squeeze your skin, no matter how uncomfortable you may feel.

Using the above protocols over time will help to clear away your acne while creating a beautiful and healthful palette that shows the balance in your body through the clarity of your skin. Combine these habits with a daily regimen of deep breathing practices and meditation to lower stress levels and you have the perfect recipe for letting your inner beauty shine through for all to see!

Words to the wise:  Before embarking on a vitamin or herbal protocol, make sure to discuss your thoughts with your healthcare provider.

More ‘The Body In Form’ references for detoxifying the body:

Dandelion:  http://thebodyinform.blogspot.com/2011/05/digestive-health-detoxification-and.html

Health and Alkalinity: http://thebodyinform.blogspot.com/2011/04/health-and-alkalinity.html

Kidney Detox: http://thebodyinform.blogspot.com/2011/02/staying-in-top-form-detox-your-kidneys.htmlhttp://thebodyinform.blogspot.com/2011/02/staying-in-top-form-detox-your-kidneys.html

Bentonite Clay Detox: http://thebodyinform.blogspot.com/2010/10/detoxifying-body-with-bentonite-clay.html

Stretch Marks Minimized, Naturally!

Stretch marks can be a kind of emblem of the birth of your child, but most people who have them are bent on finding ways to eliminate or at least minimize them.  Laser treatments and all sorts of pharmaceutical potions are available everywhere, but these can be expensive and not always foolproof.

Stretch marks are the result of the skin expanding rapidly to the point where connective fibers break, causing collagen production to stop. This often happens when there is quick weight gain and then loss, such as in a pregnancy, a well as with bodybuilders who push their lifting beyond the limit. Stretch marks appear when the level of what is known as glucocorticoids increase throughout the bloodstream.  Glucocorticoids are hormones that are secreted by the adrenal glands during weight loss, pregnancy, weight lifting, and in the case of Cushing’s syndrome.  Stretch marks left are generally red or purple, fading into a sliver or whitish color through time.  This type of scarring in medical terms is called vergetures, line albicane, or straie distensae, but to us mere mortals, ‘stretch mark’ is more than moniker enough.

Natural Fats and Oils

There are many natural products that help to minimize the appearance of stretch marks. Tried and true through time is cocoa butter, which comes from the cacao bean.  A vegetable fat, cacao butter fortifies the skin with layers of moisture that helps keep the skin supple.  Using cacao butter on a daily basis will also help discourage the potential appearance of stretch marks, so if you are pregnant, generously rub the cream on your stomach, breasts, hips, and buttocks throughout the months.

Specific oils will also help to keep the skin moist and pliable. Applying the following to your skin, targeting the stretch marks that you may already have, can help to soften their appearance:

• Vitamin E
• Vitamin A
• Rose oil
• Wheat germ oil
• Cod liver oil
• Olive oil
• Flaxseed oil
• Lavender oil

Massage any one or a combination of these oils into the skin and you will see improvement over time.

Aloe Vera and Lemon

A combination of aloe vera and fresh lemon juice is another way to reduce the offence of stretch marks. Aloe vera is exceptionally healthful for skin (http://thebodyinform.blogspot.com/2011/03/aloe-vera-wonder-plant-for-health.html) and lemon is a natural skin lightener. Applying this little formula to your stretch marks will help to make them less noticeable.

Apricot Scrub

A good apricot seed scrub is another way to soften the area.  Just as you would apply the scrub to clean the pores of your face, apply to your stretch marks to soften and diminish their harsh lines.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for enhancing collagen production.  Daily doses of C can help improve all skin conditions.  Applying a formula of vitamin C combined with glycolic acid as well as retinoids will help to smooth out the area and prevent further marks from forming.

Diet and Exercise

Eating balanced meals filled with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables is key to keeping the skin healthy and mark-free.  Even if  you don’t  have stretch marks, you must drink a lot of water every single day to help with the elimination of toxins and to keep the skin plump and youthful.  Avoid foods that are high in fat as this fat will be stored in the body, causing stretch marks to swell and expand. 

Exercise, as we all know helps to tone the body and reduce fat deposits.  Concentrate on the areas where you have stretch marks in order to tighten the zone by doing isometric exercises, yoga, or other similar practices.

Love Thyself!

The most important thing you can do for your stretch marks in the end is to embrace them, as they may never totally be eliminated.  By loving your body and appreciating who you are, your stretch marks will then diminish in your own eyes, as well as in the eyes of those who love you.  Your confidence is contagious and will cause others to see you the way you wish to be seen… as beautiful as you are, no matter what changes your body may go though.

Aloe Vera: Wonder Plant for Health

I bought two aloe vera plants for my balcony a few years ago, one quite tiny and the other a bit bigger.  The tiny one is now a glorious spread of spiked leaves, basking in the sunlight and growing evermore glamorous with time.  The other has turned into the Godfather of Aloes as it is now a huge, hulking mass of heavy, juice and gel-filled leaves that threaten to overtake the rest of my plant population, much like that old 60s horror film “The Day of the Triffids”!  He’s the one I pluck my daily dose from, as there are many lush leaves to spare.

Succulent and Easy to Grow

Aloe plants are considered succulents with their spiky green leaves and tubular flowers that burst forth in summertime. They are perennials and are a part of the Lily family.  Inside their fleshy leaves resides a healing gel that has been used for centuries as an internal and external medicine. With over 400 species of aloe, the most curative is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller.  Easy to grow with little watering needed, aloe plants are low maintenance and allow you to have an essential part of your natural healing cabinet within close reach.  Keep your aloe vera plants in a warm, sunny location and water them only when they become really dry.

  

Aloe Vera’s Properties

Aloe vera is filled with over 20 essential amino acids as well as essential fatty acids, enzymes, and phyto-chemicals. The plant also contains calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, silicon, and sulfur. Aloe vera is extremely high in B-complex vitamins, especially vitamin B-12, which is a difficult vitamin to find in the diet if you are a vegetarian as it is mostly found in animal products.  

Boosting Immune Function

Aloe vera’s high phyto-chemical content means that it is able to combat free radicals, which in turn means that it helps boost the immune system.  With its strong anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, the plant helps fight off illness and disease.

Boosting Gastro-Intestinal Function

Aloe vera helps to strengthen the digestive system by assisting in the breakdown of impacted food while soothing the lining of the digestive tract. Because aloe vera stimulates the release of pepsin, a key enzyme in the digestive process, it is an important factor in fortifying the intestinal tract to remove toxins that contribute to bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, and other gastro-intestinal complications. Other attributes of aloe vera include relieving constipation, peptic ulcers, heartburn, colitis, and stimulating the appetite.

Other Healing Attributes

Aloe vera continues to amaze, as it is a potent healing agent for many other problems.  Because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial makeup it helps to relived symptoms of allergies, bladder and yeast infections, cramps, hemorrhoids, arthritis, and intestinal parasites.  It assists in stimulating the uterus, works in balancing blood sugar in diabetics, stimulates the production of healthy kidney cells, and slows down the formation of kidney stones.  Aloe vera also helps reduce blood flow to tumors while preventing carcinogens from entering the liver. Because it stimulates blood clotting, it is especially good for healing wounds.

When applied topically, aloe vera helps reduce skin irritation due to insect bites, burns, sunburn, acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema.  It stimulates the regeneration of cells, making it an excellent skin rejuvenator and softener.

How to Use Aloe Vera

Pure aloe vera gel is easily obtained by slicing off a leaf from your plant, opening it up and scraping off the pulp.  I do this by removing the pulp with my teeth after washing the outside of the leaf and downing it as is.  You can also use this inner pulp on sores, cuts, or dry skin areas.  Once a week I use it as a facemask to tighten the pores and activate my skin tone.

Aloe vera concentrate or extract is easily found in health food stores and is the result of removing water from the gel. Aloe vera juice is made with up to 50% of the pulped gel and can be ingested as it is, or in combination with other juice drinks. 

Studies on Aloe Vera

According to Nutritional Health Information, there have been several clinical studies on aloe vera in regard to cancer therapy. In one study in particular, patients took aloe vera in combination with the neuro-hormone MLT where the benefits were clearly recognized.  In another clinical study on heart attacks and cholesterol, 5,000 patients with angina were looked at over a five-year period as they took a combination of psyllium husks and aloe vera. The conclusion was that there were obvious improvements in reduced attacks as well as greater cholesterol balance. Additionally, the need for pharmaceutical drugs was much less, especially for those who also had diabetes. The Mayo Clinic now claims that there is sufficient scientific evidence that aloe vera is a promising laxative that also improves skin conditions due to inflammation.

The Beauty of Dry Brushing

After writing my last article on cellulitis, I felt the need to elaborate on the beauty of dry brushing the skin. Using a natural vegetable brush on dry skin is one of the best ways to exfoliate, detoxify, and stimulate the body. 

Dry brushing isn't a new fad. Dry brush treatments have been in vogue for centuries in countries like Russia, Turkey, and Scandinavia where natural cures have been favored from generation to generation. The Finnish doctor, Paavo Airola, proscribed dry brushing techniques for health improvements starting in the 1960’s, bringing the technique to a broader public with his many books on heath and fitness.  

As the body’s largest organ, the skin is responsible for eliminating approximately one pound of waste every day.  This means the skin is responsible for up to a quarter of the body’s ability to detoxify by getting rid of toxins through the sweat glands and pores. Receiving 1/3 of the body’s blood circulation, the skin is the first place we see signs of illness, dis-ease, and lack of care when it is not stimulated properly.

Dry brushing the skin is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to awaken blood flow, get rid of dead skin cells, massage the organs, stimulate nerve endings, mobilize fat that contributes to cellulitis, tone muscles, avoid water retention, and much more.

Detoxifying the Skin

When we apply a dry brush to the body, we are stimulating the lymph gland, which is responsible for white blood cells known as lymphocytes.  These cells carry nutrients throughout the body while also removing waste.  Detoxification occurs through the lymph gland by cleaning out the intestines and healing areas that need attention. Large proteins that are not easily transported by the blood are carried by the lymphatic system, which pumps this material out of the interstitial spaces in the body.  When we dry brush, we speed up this process, helping to avoid fluid build-up, which can lead to edema.

Stimulating the Organs

Through gentle strokes of the dry brush towards the heart, we are actually stimulating all of the internal organs as well as the skin by massaging connective tissue and delivering blood flow to these areas. 

Strengthening the Immune System

As toxins are cleared due to greater blood flow and stimulation of the organs, the immune system gains strength as there is less debris left to impede its function. This means that any type of discomfort including chronic illnesses can be dealt with in a more efficient manner by the body’s natural healing processes.  As the lymphatic system drains toxic mucoid substances from the body, our entire system becomes purer.

Activating Hormones and Glands

If the skin isn’t cleansed properly, the pores begin to suffocate.  Dead cells and hardened oil keep uric acid and other impurities trapped inside, making it difficult for hormones and glands to do their jobs.  This puts greater stress on the liver and kidneys as they must work overtime to try to cover for what the skin is not able to do. When we dry brush, we can then cleanse the skin on a deeper level by removing surface debris and allowing a good cleanser to sweep away deeply seated wastes.

Improving Skin Texture

By sloughing off dead skin, the pores are able to take in nutrients and skin cells are able to renew themselves. What results is glowing, soft skin that becomes finer in texture.  As the skin texture improves, the skin itself finds it easier to breathe, which is a boon to all internal functions, including digestion and neurological function.

  

Reducing Cellulitis

Because of the increase of circulation, dry brushing can help to soften hardened fatty deposits, or cellulitis.  In this regard, muscles also begin to become more toned as the muscle fibers are positively affected by daily brushing.  Many homeopathic doctors proscribe a dry brush regimen to patients who cannot exercise as the brushing is a passive yet effective way to create better body tone over time.

Dry Brushing, Diet, and Exercise

Dry brushing accompanied by a good diet that is high in alkaline foods is a powerful way to keep yourself young, vibrant, and glowing.  Adding a good exercise protocol is also key.  Meditation and other similar relaxation techniques help to quiet the nerves and reduce tension, which also helps us stay healthy on the physical as well as mental level.

When to Dry Brush

Dry brushing should be done just before you are about to take a bath or shower.  Take your time to cover your entire naked body with a natural vegetable fiber brush or a loofah.  The brush should have a long, detachable handle for reaching your back. The brush head itself should have a strap for easy manipulation on other areas.  Bathing or showering after brushing washes away the dead cells you have loosened.  If you are showering, an additional lift to circulation is to alternate hot water with cold water three times consecutively.  Then, after your bath or shower, dry off carefully and  moisturize your invigorated skin with plant oils like coconut, apricot, avocado, sesame, or olive.  If you have arthritis, you can mix any of these with a bit of caster or peanut oil to help reduce inflammation.

Note: Clean your brush once a week with soap and water.  Dry thoroughly in a sunny area to avoid mold.

 Applying the Technique

I generally brush from toes to head, working my way up from the soles of my feet as I brush towards the heart.  Once I reach my hands, I brush up towards the chest and shoulders. Above the heart, the strokes should go downward towards this area. 

It is best to brush in long, firm strokes or in circular strokes that cover the entire area that you are concentrating on.  Use lighter pressure on sensitive areas, firmer pressure on areas such as the soles of the feet.  As you get used to the sensation, you will be able to tolerate stronger strokes as time goes on.  Make sure you stroke each area seven times before moving to the next.

Word to the wise: never brush on infected areas, rashes, cuts, or wounds.

Dry brush every single day and you will begin to see the results of your patience and care after about a month .  Make it a beautiful ritual before your bath or shower where you take time for yourself, honoring your body and staying cognizant of your breathing as you concentrate on each healthful stroke.

 Here is a great dry brushing guide (long but worth reading) as per the site,  Natural Health Techniques:

1.     Using your right hand, gently slide the brush along your right jaw line starting from your earlobe to the underside of your chin 7 times.

2.     Place the brush at the hairline on your neck and gently pull around the right side of your neck to the Adam's apple 7 times.

3.     Hold the brush with your right hand at the bottom of your neck (where it joins the top of your back) and bring it around your neck to the right and down along your right collar bone and end up between your collarbones 7 times.

4.     Stroke your breastbone in a circular fashion to stimulate the thymus gland 7 times.

5.     Carefully brush the breast in a circular motion 7 times.

6.     Repeat the above steps for your left side holding the brush with your left hand.

7.     To stimulate the pituitary gland, hold the brush on the back of your head near the base of your neck and rock the brush up and down, then side to side, both sides 14 times.

8.     Hold the brush in your left armpit with your right hand and rotate it counter clockwise 7 times, then clockwise 7 times.

9.     Repeat on your right armpit with your left hand.

10.   Brush upward 7 times from your upper right thigh to your right armpit.

11.   Repeat process on your left side. Women may need to hold their breast out of the way with their free hand.

12.   Brush back and forth over your belly button and around your waistline 14 times (like passing a basketball behind your back).

13.   Brush in a circular motion over your belly button, counter-clockwise 7 times then clockwise 7 times.

14.   Finish brushing the front of your body in any direction starting at the bottom and brushing all the way up 14 times. Very little pressure needs to be applied to the genitals and women's breasts because the skin is sensitive and will redden if irritated.

15.   Brush up and down your spine from the base of your neck and down as far as you can 14 times.

16.   Finish your upper back by stroking it around toward your sides.

17.   Brush your spine from tailbone up as high as you can reach 14 times, holding the brush with two hands or with the detachable wooden handle.

18.   Finish your lower back by stroking it around toward your sides.

19.   Brush up from right ankle to right knee and work all the way around your leg, brushing up towards your heart.

20.   Hold the brush in the right groin with both hands and rotate it 7 times counter-clockwise, then 7 times clockwise.

21.   Repeat with the left groin.

22.   Brush from right knee to right hip 7 times.

23.   Work all the way around your leg continuing to brush upwards (towards the heart).

24.   Brush up from right ankle to right knee and work all the way around your leg, brushing up towards your heart.

25.   Brush around your right ankle 7 times.

26.   Brush back and forth over the top of your right foot from toes to ankle.

27.   Brush across your right toes on top and underneath 7 times.

28.   Brush the bottom of your right foot heel to toe 7 times.

29.   Now do the same with for the left foot, leg and thigh.

30.   Brush upward from right elbow to your armpit and shoulder 7 times.

31.   Brush from your right wrist to the elbow in the same manner 7 times.

32.   Repeat steps on your left arm.

33.   Lightly brush the webbing (or junction) between your left thumb and index or pointer finger on the palm side 14 times, then on the non-palm side 14 times.

34.   Brush your left palm from wrist to fingertips and back 7 times.

35.   Brush the back of your left hand the same way 7 times.

36.   Brush each left hand finger individually back and forth 7 times on the areas that have not been brushed yet. Then repeat with right.