etkanje tijela etkanjem tijela se postize limfna drenaza i stimulise protok krvi u kozi.

Odstranjuju se izumrle celije koze, jer se u stvari obavi njezno exfoliranje (ne znam nasu rijec, piling) koze..Obicnom cetkom za tusiranje (ja koristim onu sa duzom ruckom) njezno se cetka'koza tijela. Ima nekoliko nacina cetkanja, no bitno je da se cetkanje obavlja u pravcu srca. Koza postaje zategnutija i sjajnija. Ja praktikujem ujutro kad se dignem iz kreveta, nakon tusiranja da cetkam tijelo. Znaci obicnom cetkisom, na suho, njezno cetklati tijelo povlaceci cetkicu u pravcu srca. Mnoge americke poznate manekeknke (kao npr Miranda Ker) koriste ovu tehniku za njegu koze.

Detox for the Mind and Body - Part 1 of 5 - Dry Skin Brushing
When most people hear or see the word DETOX, images of Cleanses and foods which help the body's filtration system start to emerge in their mind's eye. But internal detoxing is only part of the process to ridding the toxins from one's system. Not many people think of skin when they hear the word detox, yet skin is the largest organ of absorption and elimination. The skin is responsible for 1/4 of the body's daily detoxification process. It is estimated that about 1 lb of waste and dead skin cells are eliminated from the body each day via skin. One of the best ways to help in the detoxification process is with daily dry skin brushing for about 5 minutes. I first started using the dry skin brushing technique shortly after my accident. Since I was not very active this was a great way to stimulate blood and help with circulation. Dry skin brushing stimulates sweat glands and increases blood circulation to underlying organs and tissues a vital part of an intestinal cleansing program.

Starting with the feet (be sure to brush both sides of the feet and legs) working your way up the body. Make sure to always brush towards the heart and over the breast. Brush the stomach in a gentle clockwise circular motion - this follows the natural flow of your intestine. Raise each arm in turn, brushing from the hand to the arm pit (both sides of arms). Lastly brush from the buttocks up the back to the neck ( a long handled skin brush makes this area much easier to do).

Some Fabulous Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing

Shed Dead Skin Cells ~ which can help improve skin texture and cell renewal. Stimulates Lymph Canals ~ greatly aids the lymphatic drainage of the entire body by encouraging the body to discharge metabolic wastes. Increases Circulation ~ by increasing the flow of blood it helps tighten the skin, which also reduces the appearance of cellulite. Helps Distribute Fat Deposits ~ this distribution helps improved muscle tone Rejuvenates the Nervous System ~ the brushing helps stimulate nerve endings in the skin. Keeps Pores Clear ~ by eliminating clogged pores your skin is able to better absorb nutrients. And also helps to prevent skin irritations (acne/breakouts).

Is dry skin brushing part of your daily body care routine?

Dry Brushing For Healthy Skin

By The Mod Cabin Writer on May 13, 2013 in Dry Brushing For Healthy Skin

Almost two months ago I decided to try dry brushing my skin on a regular basis to see if the claims of healthier skin were true. Some of the benefits of dry brushing were said to be; that it removes dead skin cells, helps remove toxins that are normally expelled through your skin, and it stimulates lymph nodes, which in turn helps with circulation and further elimination of toxins, and also boosts the immune system. Of course, some of these claims I dont have any way of scientifically proving, but I can tell you how it made me and my skin look and feel. Before we discuss my results lets cover the proper way to dry brush and my personal dry brushing routine. The benefits of dry brushing are gained by brushing along the flow of the lymphatic system. Essentially, you should brush toward your lymph nodes. You may find some resources that simplify the process by saying you should always brush toward your heart, which is a great general rule, but there are areas around your abdomen where you should brush from

your waist and hips down and inward toward your pelvis. Ive included a chart showing the lymphatic system to make this process a little clearer.

ts recommended that you dry brush your entire body before you shower or bathe. Begin by brushing the soles and tops of your feet. Some sources suggest using a stiffer bristled brush when dry brushing your feet, but I used the same brush and applied a little more pressure. I rely on our Wanderlust Dead Sea Salt Scrub to do the real exfoliation on my feet. Use long sweeping strokes starting from the bottom of your feet upwards, and from the hands towards the shoulders. Divide the torso at the waist, and on the lower half brush from the waist toward the pelvic region. On the upper half brush from the waist up towards the lymph nodes located near the underarms. If youre female, dry brush breasts very gently or avoid brushing them all together. Use light pressure in areas where the skin is thin, and harder pressure on places like the soles of the feet. Its also suggested that skin brushing should be performed once a day, or at least a couple of times a week, preferably first thing in the morning. I dry brushed daily before a shower, however I didnt adhere to any specific time of day. When choosing a dry brush you should choose a natural bristle brush that feels good on your skin and is not too scratchy. There are plant based bristle brushes, as well as natural boars hair bristle

brushes, and each feel similar. Some come with wooden handles, but I opted for a natural bristle brush with a loop for my hand. I highly recommend the kind with the loop. It felt the best in my hand, and it didnt get accidentally dropped while I was brushing. However, the kind with the wooden handles do allow you to reach areas of your back more easily. My conclusion? I noticed immediate results! My skin elasticity has changed as Ive aged, and after my first time dry brushing I saw a noticeable difference in the look and texture of my skin. Theres no question in my mind that dry brushing your skin is a powerful exfoliator. Something else I noticed after the first time I tried it is that my after shower moisturizers worked better, too. After showering I spritz The Mod Cabins Wanderlust Dry Oil (available soon) all over my body, and our Body Butter on the rougher areas like my elbows and feet. Dry brushing allowed the oils and butters to be better absorbed by my skin. There is some brush care thats recommended to keep your brush clean and free from bacteria. I used our Birch Tar Soap, which is made with birch tar essential oil and is known for its antibacterial properties, and very hot water to wash my brush. Afterwards Id hang it to dry, somewhere other than the bathroom, since the bathroom environment is so moist and fosters the growth of mildew and mold. You can also spritz it with some tea tree oil (which is also known for its antibacterial properties) after its been washed and dried. After continuing to dry brush for another month, I noticed that my skin seemed a little brighter than before, and Im usually quite relaxed after the process. Ill continue to dry brush my skin and see if there are any other noticeable benefits from doing so, but Im quite happy with with the short term results so far!

ienje koe

Postoji puno naina detoksikacije organizma ienje jetre, bubrega, plua, crijeva...

Meutim, ponekad zaboravljamo da je koa na najvei organ. to je sa njom? Postoji li nain detoksikacije koe? Suho etkanje (engl.- dry brushing) je tehnika koja omoguuje ienje koe, uz istovremenu detoksikaciju unutarnjih organa. Metodu suhog etkanja uveo je finski doktor Paavo Airola prije 30 godina. Ova metoda je popularna i danas i primjenjuje se u mnogim spa salonima i centrima zdravlja. Meutim, ova metoda nije neto novo. Suho etkanje se primjenjuje u Rusiji, Turskoj i Skandinaviji ve stotinama godina. Suho etkanje je poznato po svome kozmetikom efektu obnavljanja koe: uklanja staru, suhu kou, na mjesto kojoj dolazi nova, glatka i njena. No, obnavljanje koe nije jedina dobrobit suhog etkanja. Poznato je da suho etkanje - rjeava celulit - isti limfni sustav - uklanja naslage mrtve koe - jaa imunitet - stimulira rad hormona i lijezda - zatee kou, spreava njezino prijevremeno starenje - stimulira cirkulaciju krvi - poboljava rad nervnog sistema - poboljava probavu - lijepo oblikuje miie - i uz sve to je jednostavno, jeftino i ne zahtjeva puno vremena!

to je sve potrebno za suho etkanje koe?

Jedino to e Vam trebati je etka sa dugakom rukom, napravljena od prirodnih materijala. Bolje je ako etka ima odvojivi vrh sa remenom za ruku. Evo na to mislim:

(Takvu etku moete nabaviti u trgovinama zdrave hrane i prirodne kozmetike.) Ako ne moete pronai odgovarajuu etku, nije strano. Posluit e Vam i spuva od prirodnih materijala (lufa spuva) ili hrapavi runik. Prema mom iskustvu veina sintetikih etki su previe otre i mogu otetiti kou. Ako naete mekaniju etku, i ona moe posluiti. Glavno je da radite to to odgovara Vaoj koi. Kada se koa navikne na meku etku, moete prei na neto jae.

Kako se radi suho etkanje?

1. etkanje se uvijek radi na suho. Nakon etkanja ete se istuirati ili okupati, da bi oprali sa sebe stanice stare koe i toksine koji se oslobaaju u procesu etkanja. 2. Dugakim, ravnim pokretima etkajte noge od stopala prema gore, zatim ruke od aka prema ramenima, lea odozgor prema dolje i trbuh odozdol prema gore. Takvo etkanje e usmjeriti limfu prema srcu. (Napomena: etkanje u suprotnom smjeru se ne preporuuje, jer usmjerava limfu od srca, to moe uzrokovati dodatno optereenje vena i limfnih sudova.) Ipak, bolje je jedan put vidjeti nego 100 puta uti. Vjerujem da ete dobro shvatiti proces suhog etkanja kada pogledate ovaj video: 3. Radite etkanje koe jednom dnevno najbolje odmah ujutro, prije tuiranja. Za detaljno suho etkanje trebat e Vam samo 15 minuta. Ali ak i 5 minuta etkanja donijet e

dobrobit Vaem zdravlju. Ako se osjeate bolesno, poveajte etkanje koe na 2 puta dnevno. 4. Na mjestima sa tvrdom i grubom koom poput tabana, vrite lagani pritisak. 5. Ako se elite rijeiti celulita, posvetite problematinim mjestima vie vremena. etkajte podruja zahvaena celulitom od 5 do 10 minuta dnevno. Da bi dobili dobar rezultat, trebate to raditi bar 5 mjeseci za redom. 6. Izbjegavajte etkati mjesta sa osjetljivom ili povrijeenom koom (rane, posjekotine, mjesta zahvaena infekcijom ili osipom). 7. Zavrite suho etkanje tuiranjem. Na kraju tuiranja napravite tri vrua i tri hladna ciklusa: - na nekoliko sekundi pustite vruu vodu (toliko vruu da to moete izdrati nekoliko sekundi ne preporuuje se sranim bolesnicima!). - zatim provedite nekoliko sekundi pod hladnom vodom (toliko hladnom, da to moete izdrati nekoliko sekundi). - ponovite to 3 puta - zavrite tuiranje hladnom vodom Vrue-ledeno tuiranje dodatno jaa kou, pospjeuje izluivanje toksina, stimulira cirkulaciju krvi i hrani vanjski sloj koe.

Nakon tuiranja Dobro se obriite i umasirajte u kou prirodna ulja poput maslinovog, bademovog, sezamovog, kokosovog ulja, maslaca shea, kakaa, avokada itd. Ako imate artritis, u mjeavinu ulja dodajte malo maslaca kikirikija i ricinusovog ulja. Perite Vau etku jedan put tjednom sa vodom i sapunom. Nakon pranja, ostavite etku na suhom i otvorenom mjestu da ne bi popljesnivila. ---------Dobrobiti suhog etkanja ete osjetiti nakon od prilike 30 dana. Budite uporni i nastavite sa etkanjem! Da bi napravili duboko ienje limfe, nastavite sa etkanjem bar 3 mjeseca.

Dry Skin Brushing for Acne Detox

Posted on November 17, 2011 by pimplepeople

We all know that sometimes acne is best treated by working from the inside out. Well, your skin is your largest elimination organ. Did you know that it releases a POUND of waste every day? Yeah. Grossbut true. Also, did you know that if you arent feeling so great, your skin is the first organ to show symptoms? Yep. Your skin will rat you out in a second if youre not taking care of it. Your skin is busy pushing out a quarter of the toxins from your body. In fact, it is sometimes called the third kidney because of all of the garbage that it gets rid of. So, if your skin cant release those toxinsyoure going to see an uprising of inflamed acne, maybe even rashes, itchiness, body odor, etc. Dead skin cells, leftover waste and skin care products or makeup just sit in those pores and gum up the works. If your toxins cant escape the skinthey are shoved into your fat cells, which will emphasize your cellulite and other fatty areas. OR they will be re-circulated into the blood stream, which makes your kidneys work overtime. Ok, so you know the problem, so how do we move forward? One idea is Dry Skin Brushing. It is exactly what it sounds like; you choose a natural, semi-firm bristled brush and exfoliate the skin before your shower. Benefits include: looking radiant, vibrant and fresh. It is also good for circulation, immunity and stimulating your nervous system. With this brushing session, you are going to remove the layer of dead skin cells that are dimming your skins potential. Your skin will renew itself with each layer that you brush downleaving you with a renewed texture. Another advantage: dry brushing stimulates the nervous system, tones the muscles and ultimately tightens your skin. You are stimulating nerve endings in your skin, you will rejuvenate your nerves and activate individual muscle fibers, resulting in toned muscles. Whoa, right? When you spend time dry brushing, you are also stimulating the blood and lymph flow. Your lymphatic system is a key player in cleansing the immune system. This is where white blood cells service the cells with nutrients and waste disposal. Speed up the waste removal part and you can avoid swollen tissues. And lastly: it REDUCES CELLULITE! Yeah! This requires daily brushing and several months to see results, but if you massage and stimulate your cellulite, you will eventually break up those fatty deposits for results. So, start dry brushing. See radiant, renewed skin and less acne because your body is eliminating waste faster!
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Skin Brushing For Lymph and Skin Health

About Skin Brushing Skin brushing is a technique done with dry skin and a dry natural-bristle brush or loofah. The lymphatic system is composed of small vessels just under the surface of the skin which carry chemical wastes from the body and help clear toxins. The lymphatic system flows in vessels to nodes, which act as watersheds for different areas of the body. There are three major groups of nodes on each side of the body through which all lymph must flow. The surface of the skin itself, is also a vehicle for elimination. Both lymphatic and skin excretion are stimulated by skin brushing generally. The lymphatic system especially benefits from brushing that follows the guidelines here. Brushing should never be done in a way that is uncomfortable or irritates the skin. Benefits

Stimulates the lymphatic system and the immune system Removes dead skin cells and stimulates the growth of new cells resulting in improved skin Stimulates the excretion of wastes and toxins Combats cellulite

Contraindications

Do not use skin brushing if you are affected by any kind of infection or infection-related illnesses. Stimulating lymph can lead to the spread of infection. Do not use skin brushing on any areas of the skin that are irritated or inflamed, such as rashes or areas affected by poison oak or psoriasis. If you have any known lymphatic limitations, please consult a health professional to help guide your skin brushing self-care.

How To

Wash your brush with warm soapy water before first use and once per week. Use the diagram to locate the 6 lymphatic sections of the body (red) and the correlated primary lymph nodes (green). Brush strokes should always move towards the primary lymph nodes for the section of the body that you are working on, in the direction of lymph flow as depicted by the arrows. Start each body section by brushing directly over the primary lymph nodes to clear them out and make room for incoming lymph fluid. Use small strokes on that same section of the body to work outward, the direction of the strokes always towards the primary nodes. Finish with long strokes from the furthest points of the section back to the primary nodes.

Dry skin brushing is the single most important therapy you can add to your detox program or your daily routine. Your skin being your largest organ of elimination releases a pound of waste

each day. It is the first organ to show symptoms of imbalance and toxicity. If your skin cannot efficiently release the toxins, you may experience rashes, acne, hives, itchiness, body odor, or even eczema and psoriasis. Dead skin cells, excreted wastes and external pollution which is including dirt and residue from skin care products, can build up and clog your pores. Clogged pores inhibit your skin from effectively releasing toxins. Therefore Dry Brushing used daily can help to eliminate toxins that are either clogged or released to the skin surface. Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing More than a Beauty Treatment! Everyone knows that exfoliation the skin creates radiant and vibrant looking skin. But it is also an essential tool for good circulation, strengthening the immune system, stimulating the nervous system, toning the muscles and improving digestion. Here is a list of the many inspiring benefits of dry skin brushing:

Stimulates blood and lymph flow. The lymph flows outside of the circulatory system to bathe, cleanse and restore all of our cells. If we dont move the lymph we end up with swollen tissues, particularly in the ankles. Exercise, massage and skin brushing help to speed the process and clear the lymphatic system. Removes dead skin cells. Dry skin is a sign of detoxification. It is important to remove the dead cells to keep from clogging the system. This will also improve skin texture and renew the skin cells. Reduces cellulite. It requires daily brushing for several months to start to see results. When you massage and stimulate the skin it begins to break up the toxic deposits of stored fatty tissues that pucker the overlying skin into cellulite. Connective tissue massage and releasing stored emotions are also good treatments for cellulite. At the Spa at Four Seasons we have a Resculpting Treatment that includes Dry Brushing and of course our wonderful products from The Organic Pharmacy.

How to Do a Dry Skin Brush

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The skin is the largest organ of detoxification in the body so its important that we take care of it properly. Dry skin brushing is a simple and invigorating way to detox the body and renew the skin. Heres how you do it.

Benefits of Skin Brushing

The simple act of brushing the skin with a stiff-bristled, vegetable-fiber brush has many beneficial effects including:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Removal of cellulite. Cleansing the lymphatic system. Removal of dead skin layers. Strengthening of the immune system. Stimulation of hormone and oil-producing glands. Tightening the skin and preventing premature aging. Toning the muscles. Stimulating circulation. Improving the function of the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings. Helping digestion-activating trigger points associated with the stomach.

Simple Steps for Skin Brushing

Skin brushing should feel exhilarating. Skin brushing only requires a light amount of pressure to be effective. If done in the right light you can even see the skin particles being removed from your body. The right way to brush:

Your skin must be dry to do a brush. Brush sensitive areas lightly. You know youre brushing too hard if it hurts. Brush areas like your legs and arms with a firmer touch. Use circular or long brushing strokes depending on the area of the body. Lightly brush each area with just a few strokes. This should be enough to give that area a reddish or pink color.

Dont:

Brush wet skin. Brush cut, sunburned, irritated, or bruised areas. Brush your face.

Here is the order in which you should brush:

1. When your skin is dry, preferably first thing in the morning or before you take a shower, remove all clothing. 2. Stabilize yourself with one hand while brushing the bottom of each foot. 3. Continue lightly, yet vigorously brushing up one leg to the hips. 4. Switch legs and brush up to the other hip. Always brush from the extremities towards the heart. 5. Finish the lower body by brushing each buttock. 6. Begin brushing the upper body by starting with the hands. Brush one hand starting with the palms and continuing to the chest. 7. Brush the other arm in the same way. 8. Now brush the torso, lightly brushing your stomach in a clockwise motion. 9. Brush your sides starting from the waist and brushing up to the arm pits. 10. Brush your lower and middle back and shoulders. 11. Finish by brushing the chest and neck. 12. Follow your skin brushing session with a shower and then apply a good moisturizer, such as coconut oil.

Brushing When Youre Ill

Because skin brushing stimulates the immune system it may be beneficial to do when you are feeling under the weather. If you feel weak or your balance is impaired, be sure to brace yourself while brushing to avoid falling. In more extreme cases of illness it is best to consult your health care practitioner regarding the practice of skin brushing.

Finding the Right Brush

Some things to look for in a skin brush are:

a brush and handle combination that allows you to easily brush your back natural materials like a wooden handle and vegetable fibers firm bristles

Dry skin brushing can be done on a daily basis and is a great way to prepare for a shower or a swim in the ocean. Once youve experienced skin brushing for the first time you are sure feel the invigorating benefits. by Adam A. Graham, author of The Complete Idiots Guide to Raw Food Detox

A Step-By-Step Guide to Dry Skin Brushing

By Marie-Helene Blackmore

Skin brushing is an easy and effective home remedy for cellulite, fluid retention and poor circulation. Dry skin brushing gets rid of dead skin cells

and improves skin tone, stimulates the lymphatic system and blood circulation, and even improves immunity. It only takes a few minutes every morning, but you will notice improvement in your energy levels and your skin tone within a few weeks. How to Dry Brush Brushing does not take much time out of the day, but it is important to do it regularly. You will need about five minutes to brush the whole body. Choose a brush that is made of natural materials. Avoid plastic or other synthetic brushes that damage the skin. When you first start daily brushing, use soft pressure and be gentle. When you get used to brushing over time, you might want to start to use firmer strokes. A brush with a long handle is ideal for working on the back and other areas that are difficult to reach. Always work your way from the extremities (the hands and the feet) towards the heart and the collarbone area. When you brush in this direction you will follow the lymph's natural flow in the body. There are major lymph nodes near the collarbones, and there are important lymph nodes in the groins and in the armpits. Daily Brushing Routine 1. Start from the feet and work the soles of the feet first. Brush around the ankles and then up the lower leg, along the thighs and towards the groin. Use long upward strokes up the legs to direct the lymph flow to the lymph nodes in the groin region. 2. Once you have brushed both legs, brush your buttocks using circular strokes. Brush your abdomen gently, with clockwise strokes to follow the direction of the digestion. You can also brush the sides of your abdomen -brushing towards the armpits. 3. Then move on to brushing your back, ideally using a brush with a long handle so you can cover the whole back. Once again the ideal direction is from the lower back towards the upper back. When brushing the back of the neck, brush down the neck. It helps to always think of brushing towards the heart, along the direction of the lymph flow. 4. Brush the arms starting from the hands, and brushing up along the arms and the upper arms. Cover the whole arm from the fingertips to the shoulders. You can even brush the chest. Some of the most important lymph nodes in the body are located in the chest area, and it is a good idea to work

on this region to finish your daily brushing. You do not need to brush the face and it is not even recommended: the skin on the face is too sensitive. The skin often becomes red when you brush. This is a sign that you are stimulating the circulation. However make sure you are not brushing so deeply that you are damaging the skin, and make sure that you do not have an allergic reaction to brushing if your skin is very sensitive. Tips for Brushing The best time of the day for brushing is in the morning. Brushing as soon as you get up invigorates the body and wakes up the mind. Brush first and then take a shower to rinse off dead skin cells. Make sure to moisturize well after the shower, ideally using natural moisturizers or natural body oils. Because the brushing has removed dead skin cells, your skin is able to absorb moisturizers better. Do not brush on broken skin. If your skin is sensitive, choose a very soft brush and be careful on sensitive areas or avoid them completely. Do not brush sunburnt skin, over skin rashes or over open wounds. If you have cellulite, you might be tempted to brush it strongly. However it is better to use gentle but brisk strokes on areas of cellulite, as cellulite can feel sensitive to touch and deep brushing can feel uncomfortable. Ideally you should brush the whole body every day. If you cannot find time every morning, try to brush at least three times a week. Over time you might get so used to brushing that you will want to make it a part of your daily routine. Wash your brush regularly - Rinse clean, shake and hang to dry. The Benefits of Daily Brushing Dry brushing works by stimulating the lymphatic system, which is the body system that is responsible for the removal of toxins. A sluggish lymphatic system is one of the main causes of cellulite. Unlike blood circulation that depends on the heart, the lymphatic system does not have a central pump. Some of the best ways to get lymph moving around the body include dry brushing, massage and exercise.

Source: 123rf Stock Photo

Dry brushing also stimulates the circulation of blood around the body. Daily skin brushing removes dead skin cells and improves skin tone, making the skin look more toned. Because the lymphatic system is also connected to the immune system, regular dry brushing can help to improve your immunity. If you are feeling tired and sluggish, skin brushing is a great way to boost your energy levels and help the body to get rid of toxins.

Source: 123rf Stock Photo

Many people notice improvement in their skin within a few of weeks. If you are prone to puffy ankles or if your legs swell up easily, you might notice a reduction in the swelling and puffiness relatively fast. If your legs get easily tired and if you suffer from poor circulation, you will probably notice an improvement in a few weeks and definitely in a few months. Over a few months you will also start to notice an improvement in the skin tone in areas that have cellulite. It is important to keep brushing daily and to continue with the routine for several months. The longer you brush the more improvement you will notice. We recommend using brushes made with natural bristle such as the Eco Max Body Brushwith Coir Handle or the Eco MaxTravel Body Brush, available in our eBoutique Savons d'ailleurs. The Eco Max brushes are environmentally friendly products that are kind to the planet. Made in Sri Lanka using Fair Trade principles, the brushes are biodegradable and entirely handmade from 100% natural, unbleached and sustainable material: Natural sisal softens naturally in warm water. Sisal is a fibre extracted from the Agave sisalana plant. Sustainable timber even the timber sealant is non-toxic. Unbleached coir Coir, or coco fibre, is the fibrous material found between the hard inner shell and the outer coat of a coconut. Galvernised wire it never rusts! Cotton cord At the end of its life, you can throw the brush into your compost bin where everything but the wire will break down naturally. Posted by Savons d ailleurs at 09:08

Dry skin brushing

Your step-by-step guide What if we told you there was a simple beauty trick that only takes five minutes out of your day, costs next to nothing, and helps your body inside as well as out? Too good to be true? Its not. Dry skin brushing is the secret and it has long been a part of Ayurvedas cleansing philosophies. Ayurveda is a 5000-year-old science originating in India and is believed by many to be the oldest healing science.

How does it work?

Your skin is an organ of elimination, just like your kidneys, liver and colon. Its the largest organ of your body and its estimated that one-third of your bodys daily impurities are excreted through the skin. Dry skin brushing helps keep the pores clear and the skin active to assist the body in this cleansing process. If your skin becomes inactive, its ability to remove excess toxins is impaired. This places extra stress on other organs and on your body in general. As we age, our bodies become less effective in shedding outer layers of dead skin cells. This build-up of dead skin can result in a thick, dry and somewhat leathery look, which is often common with more mature skin. As well as exfoliating this outer layer, dry skin brushing also stimulates the sweat and oil glands, providing more moisture for the skin. It also helps keep young skin fresh, vibrant and free of breakouts. Because your body breathes and absorbs essential nutrients through your skin, regular dry brushing will leave your skin clear of excess debris so its free to absorb oxygen and other nutrients into your body.

It also stimulates your body from the outside in. It works to cleanse the whole system and is an effective treatment for many ailments. Accumulated waste products in the body are known to contribute to many illnesses as well as premature ageing. Dry skin brushing also increases blood circulation, which helps to contribute to healthier muscle tone and better distribution of fat deposits, also known to many as cellulite. 40-year-old Cassandra Haughton James, AcuEnergetics practitioner and owner of The Natural Alchemist in Sydney, believes that the secret to her supple and healthy skin comes from consistent dry skin brushing coupled with the use of natural oils. Cassandra was introduced to the art of dry skin brushing almost 20 years ago while living in Hawaii and has been hooked ever since. She dry skin brushes several times a week before showering and applies natural oils to her skin afterwards. Water hydrates the skin and the oils feed it, she explains. Dry skin brushing removes the dead skin and allows the body to breathe. It leaves the skin open to absorb the oils which are applied while the skin is still slightly damp, leaving a fine film of oil on the surface. Oil on its own can dry out your skin, so its important to dry skin brush, then have a shower, then apply the oil to gain the most benefit. In addition, dry skin brushing is believed to stimulate the lymphatic system by aiding the flow of lymph fluid throughout the body. The lymphatic system plays a vital role in elimination, helping to move toxins through the body. It also contributes to the strength of the bodys immune system by producing certain white blood cells and generating antibodies. The lymph system doesnt rely on an automatic pumping device like the cardiovascular system and it depends on the movement of muscles to keep it working. There are many lymph nodes situated at different places in the body but the inner thighs and armpits hold the greatest number, so it can be helpful to pay extra attention to these areas when brushing. The lymph system flows towards the heart so its important to brush in the same flow as the lymphatic system.

Benefits of dry skin brushing

Removes dead layers of skin and other outer impurities. Stimulates and increases blood circulation. Helps release fatty deposits under your skins surface. Assists the eliminative capacity of your bodys organs. Rejuvenates your cells. Strengthens your immune system. Increases muscle tone. Improves skin texture. Helps prevent premature ageing.

Step-by-step guide to dry skin brushing

1. Its best to dry brush first thing in the morning before you shower. Start with light pressure until youre used to the sensation, then move on to firmer strokes.

2. Use a natural bristled brush (like those found at www.naturalalchemist.com) or a loofah as a second choice. Avoid synthetic or nylon brushes or gloves as theyre too sharp and can damage the skin. 3. Start with the soles of your feet, use swift upward strokes and brush from the feet, up the legs, working towards your heart. 4. Once youve covered your lower body, move to your hands and work up your arms toward your heart in the same manner. 5. Next (using a long handle brush or get your partner to help out), brush your back. 6. Last, work on your abdomen (moving in a clockwise direction to follow the movement of the colon), chest and neck. Its best to avoid your face as most peoples facial skin is too sensitive. 7. Brush for about three-to-five minutes until your skin is rosy and slightly tingly. 8. Always shower after you dry brush to wash off the dead skin. 9. Keep a separate dry brush for every member of the family, and be sure to periodically wash it.

NOTE: Avoid on broken or sensitive skin and take care to brush lightly over cellulite areas. NH

Q&A: What are the benefits of skin brushing?

12 April, 2012

By Staff Writer NYR Natural News

Q Ive heard that brushing your skin with a stiff brush can help improve circulation and get toxins out of your body. I like the idea in theory but I dont particularly enjoy the feeling of skin brushing. Am I doing something wrong?

A First a little history and background and then some practical advice! Skin brushing has been practised by many different cultures throughout history and its benefits can be seen fairly quickly with regular practise. It is a simple traditional way to address some very modern problems. The feeling of being chronically under par, of being sluggish and lacking in vitality has become the norm for many of us. A healer might say we were lacking vital energy, a practitioner of Chinese medicine might say our Chi is low. Another way of looking at it is that this chronic lack of vitality is an indication that the lymphatic system is blocked, sluggish or just plain overwhelmed by stress and environmental toxins. Stimulating lymph flow

The lymphatic system is an essential part of our circulatory system. Its the bodys housekeeper composed of a tiny, delicate network of lymphatic vessels all over the body that pump a colourless liquid called lymph around the body. Along the lymphatic pathways are collections of lymph nodes 400 to 700 of them dotted around the body. These filter and purify the lymph, reclaim fluid and break down pathogens and toxins. As well as cleansing and detoxifying, the lymph system reclaims digested fats and proteins, the bodys source of energy, and adds them to the bodys circulation. The superficial lymph vessels terminate just below the outer layer of skin and flow back into the deeper lymphatic vessels. Any blockage at the superficial lymphatic level will result in congestion throughout the whole lymphatic system. Skin-brushing is considered an excellent way to stimulate the activity of the entire lymphatic system though no formal studies exist to demonstrate its effectiveness. It can also be a useful addition to any detox regime. When it comes to promoting lymph flow, one session of vigorous skin brushing is said to be equivalent to 20 minutes of exercise. Skin brushing cant replace exercise, of course, but it will stimulate the lymph system, which will allow more purging of toxins from the body, and may be especially helpful to those who are sedentary. Dry skin also brushing helps to remove the top layer of old, dead skin and opens the pores, encouraging detoxification and improving skin tone and colour. The gentle stretching of connective tissues, afforded by regular skin-brushing, helps to increase and regenerate the production of collagen and elastin fibres. Used regularly it may also help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Brush gently Given its benefits lots of people attack the process of skin brushing very vigorously in the hopes of a quick result and can be disappointed when it hurts! The best advice is to be gentle with yourself. You are encouraging your body to do something it wants to do naturally, not forcing it to do something unnatural. Skin brushing is performed on dry skin and skin should always be brushed in the direction of the heart. Ideally it should be practised early in the day, rather than at night as the effect can be quite stimulating to the whole system. A simple daily routine would look something like this: Start from the soles of the feet, (left side first) then move from ankle to knee in sweeping strokes (both front and back of the leg), following with the knee to the top of the thigh. Buttocks can be a little sluggish from a sedentary lifestyle, so give firm strokes in an outwards direction, followed by circular movements. Follow with strokes from the lower back up towards the mid back.

Next, brush from the fingertips, down the arms towards the chest. Brush both the top of the arm from fingertips to the shoulder, and the underside from finger tips to the armpit, where gentle circular movements are good to stimulate lymph flow. It is best for women to avoid brushing the gentle skin of the breasts, but do brush the neck and the throat working from the nape of the neck forwards, and from the jaw line down towards the chest. Finish up with gentle clockwise circular movement across the abdomen. Your skin may feel a little sensitive at first, so begin gently and increase the pressure as you become used to the effect over time. Avoid hot baths after the procedure, but a warm bath or shower will help wash away dead skin for a truly fresh feel. A good natural moisturiser applied at this point will really be able work its full effects. Choose the brush that suits you best If you skin still feels sensitive consider if you are using the right kind of brush. If a bristle brush is too hard, opt for a softer sisal brush instead. A short handled body brush or one that fits in the palm of your hand may make it easier to find the right pressure for your skins level of sensitivity . Likewise a massage mitt like this one from Neals Yard Remedies may be more comfortable fit for you. Once youve found the right implement youll find that dry skin brushing is an inexpensive and healthful routine that can easily be incorporated into most peoples daily lives.

Detoxing (part 1/3): why detox?

The word detoxification refers to the process of neutralising and removing toxic substances from the body. As a natural health practitioner, I find it really exciting (yes, I do!) that we are in control of our internal environment and therefore our health and happiness through making good choices. There is a lot of talk about detoxing to cleanse our internal environment, everyone seems to be doing it, so I thought that I would write a 3 part post on the how, what, why, when to help make sense of it all for you. Imagine the people buying cars and never changing the oil except for a pint every couple of months, only replacing the filters every couple of years, and seldom driving it except on short trips around town, and often using bad gasoline. When the car runs poorly, falls apart, and eventually burns up, they wonder what happened and empty their bank account trying to fix it. You must have a clean machine to operate efficiently over the life of the vehicle. Your body is your vehicle. Does it take you comfortably where you want to go and do what you want to do, or do you have drag it out of bed, drag it to the office, ache most of the day and drag it home again only to collapse it in the bed? Are you having the ride of your life, or is your life a drag from dragging your body around? Detoxification makes the greatest difference in the comfort and

longevity of your body. Remember, you cant buy another one! We first must begin with the things we can control. We must start with the things having the most influence upon us from both our outer environment and our inner environment. The three greatest influences from our outer environment are air, water, and food. The three greatest influences from our inner environment are thoughts, feelings, and action choices. In each of these categories we all have many things we can do to improve Robert Groves I think this is such a great quote to explain, quite simply, why we must look after our body machine. It is the only one we have in this life time and its in everyones interest that you treat it well and help it to thrive!

Its all about the environment think about a fish in dirty tank water is it going to thrive? No. Its going to die. You need to keep the water clean. Sure, you can go out and buy another fish, but we only have this body. You need to keep the internal environment clean so that your cells can thrive and work optimally. Your cells cannot repair and grow at the same time. If they are constantly trying to keep up with regular maintenance and protection, they wont have time for repair and rejuvenation. Detoxing allows the body to do just that. The opposite is accelerated aging. 80% of our immunity lies in our gut, the entire cell lining of which is replaced every 72 hours. This means that even a three day detox will do so much to help this process happen optimally by eliminating harmful bacteria and toxins, thereby increasing our immunity and our ability to absorb nutrients from the food we eat. Our guts health also directly affects our moods (ever noticed how you feel blurgh when you are bloated, eaten a heavy meal, have a cold etc). In the Chinese 5 elements there is a close connection between organ health and our emotions, and vice versa. By detoxing the body, you are also clearing out harmful emotions that contribute to toxicity within the body.

kidneys/bladder hold fear liver/gallbladder hold anger heart/small intestine hold joy (or lack of) spleen/stomach hold sympathy (or lack of) lungs/large intestine hold sadness, grief

So, if your skin is acting up with spots, eczema, psoriasis, if youre craving sweets or spicy food, if youre experiencing hormonal issues, low energy (especially on waking), digestive issues such as bloating/wind/diarrhea/constipation, stuffy nose, allergies, fuzzy brain, anger, irritability or feeling just plain blurgh these are signs that your liver is struggling to detoxify everything that is being thrown its way and that toxins are stuck in your body instead of being eliminated efficiently. Detoxing will give you: more energy, increased clarity and peace of mind, clearer skin and brighter eyes, help you reduce stress in your life, a feeling of physical and emotional lightness and calm, you will feel revitalised and re-charged, it slows down the ageing process and creates the space and awareness needed to be able to choose healthier eating habits. The main organs involved in detoxification and elimination are the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin and colon. Tune in next Friday to learn about the importance of effective detoxification. This post is part of Real Food Whole Healths Fresh Bites Friday

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Detoxing (part 2/3): Effective Detoxification
Want to know the basic rule of effective detoxification? What goes in, must come out! It is no use moving toxins out of our cells just to have them floating around our body because they cant get out (its like moving all that junk that was piled into your bedroom cupboard, onto the bedroom floorits a step forwards in terms of your Spring cleaning, but the junk is still there you need to move it out to make space for nice new stuff to be at home in there). To be truly effective, any form of detoxification needs to ensure that elimination happens. For a short 17 day detoxification you might not need to use any naturopathic techniquesif your bowels are working efficiently (that is, eliminating regularly at least once a day, preferably 3 times a day). For a longer detoxification of 7 days or more* naturopathic techniques are essential to help eliminate toxins. Here are just 3 of the most popular naturopathic techniques used in detox programs:

daily dry skin brushing. regular sauna sessions: help to release toxins through the skin and sweat (remember to drink more water when you go to the sauna to prevent dehydration and increase the kidneys ability to eliminate through urine). colon cleansing: a professional colonic irrigation cleanses the entire length of the colon or you buy an enema kit from a pharmacy or health food shop and do this at home, cleansing out the lower part of the colon only. Both of these are a form of hydrotherapy where water is flushed into the colon through the rectum to flush out accumulated waste. You may squirm at the thought, but I can assure you that you would stop wrinkling up that pretty little nose of yours if you realised just how important the direct relationship between colon health and our overall health is (its paramount).

It is common to experience a healing crisis of anything from 1 to 10 days or so when detoxing. This is another reason why ensuring effective elimination is so important as it reduces toxic build up in the body and therefore the extent of any manifested healing crisis. These reactions show that your body is responding to the detox by releasing toxins (it goes without saying that the more toxic the body, the greater the detox reactions better out than in and a good sign that you need to detox!). Typical reactions or healing crises include: skin rash/spots; nausea; unpleasant taste in the mouth; foul smelling stools; diarrhea; constipation; gassiness; frequent urination; headaches; tiredness; lethargy. It is also common to experience emotional reactions such as old emotions coming to the surface, the release of grief, anger etc. The thought may seem somewhat daunting, but once these old, useless emotions are out, you will be able to move forward in life with increased joy and clarity which is why some people talk of varying levels of spiritual growth following a detox. I havent mentioned exercise, breathing techniques, epsom salt baths, cleansing teas orwait for itcoffee enemas. If youre serious about detoxing you will hear all about these along your journey. Its all good, clean, fun! Tune in next Friday for an explanation of different types of detox. * If you are new to detoxing, I would highly recommend that you follow a professional detoxification program for a detox of 3 days or more to guide you and ensure that you are doing it properly. Joining my 3 Day Virtual Detox Program from wherever you are in the world is a great way to start and youll learn all the ins and outs of both short term detox and how to continue living a detox lifestyle.

Detoxing (part 3/3): Types of detox

So, now we know why to detox and the importance of effective detoxification, but a bit overwhelmed when it comes to water fasting, juice fasting, detoxing with green smoothies, mono-meals, brown rice, raw food? Heres a short description to help you make sense of it all. First of all, how long does a detox last? Well, anything from 1-30 days or more, although most are for a duration of at least 3 days as real detoxification is achieved after 72 hours (did you know that the entire cell lining of your gut is renewed every 72 hours?!) which is why at least 3 days are required for a deep detox. Fasting: by definition, a fast is when you abstain from solid foods, drinking only water or fruit and vegetable juices. Its fine to do a short fast at home on your own (much easier to gather some friends together for motivation) but for longer fasts of 7+ days it is recommended you follow a professional program. A lot of energy is used in digestion, assimilation and elimination of food. Fasting is a great way to give your digestive system and organs of elimination a break so that they can focus on repair and growth rather than daily maintenance. Water fasting produces the quickest results and is the most extreme form of fasting (as only

water is ingested). The advantage of fruit and vegetable juice fasting is that your body receives concentrated forms of vitamins and minerals which help with repair, rejuvenation and cleansing.* Detox diets: can include, for example, green smoothies only (smoothies contain fibre so they are considered a semi-solid rather than a liquid fas)t; mono-meals eating only 1 type of food such as brown rice or fruit mono-meals, especially melons as they are very cleansing; eating Raw food only would also be considered a detox diet if you habitually eat mostly cooked, processed foods. A cleanse is a term often interchanged for any type of detox although it is often attributed to less extreme forms of body cleansing such as the detox diets mentioned above. These are less hardcore options for those who are new to detoxing and want to start off gently. Unlimited water and specific teas that boost detoxification are permitted on any detox program (except a water fast perhaps). Such teas include rosehip, nettle, milkthistle, dandelion and freshly squeezed lemon or ginger in warm water. It is important to prepare for a detox to ensure optimal results. This means that for a 3 day detox you would start to cut out certain foods at least 1-7 days before you start. These include: meat, dairy, gluten, caffeine, alcohol, all processed foods, refined carbohydrates, refined sugars, cutting down on natural sugars (e.g. honey, dried fruit), adding in more raw foods. It is equally important to ease out of a detox by breaking-the-fast (this is where the term breakfast comes from as you have fasted throughout the night), again, for approximately the same amount of days by gradually re-introducing certain foods, starting off with with plain foods such as brown rice and steamed vegetables. Its quite easy to include regular, short detoxes into our yearly schedule and this alone will make a great difference to your overall health. And although it is highly beneficial to have an official detox of 3 days or more at least once a year (at each change of season would be ideal) there are simple ways that you can help your bodys detoxification process on a daily basis:

drink more water get enough sleep 8 hours if possible and go to bed by 10pm exercise move your bootay! get some fresh air every day dry skin brushing use only natural, chemical free products (see my blog section Natural Beauty for homemade recipes) eat REAL food (no processed, pre-prepared foods) eat organic food reduce external pollutants (ditch the plastic use wood, glass, ceramic instead; use stainless steel pots and pans instead of tefal) manage negative emotions through awareness (this also means addressing them), meditation, exercise reeeellllaaaaax.

*There are different advantages offered by either fruit or vegetable fasting this is an important point of consideration before planning and undertaking a juice fast.

Please note that the information in this post is for informational purposes only and is by no means comprehensive or to be used as a sole guide for a detoxification program.