Lymph love: skin brushing.
With all the cold-weather bugs flying around the northern hemisphere these days, it’s nice to take care of our overworked lymphatic systems.
Since the circulating lymph doesn’t have its own pump like the blood does, we need to help it along by moving around and stretching our muscles (walking and dancing are great lymph-movers).
You can also help stagnant lymphatic fluid get moving by vigorously brushing your skin. Now, you may find all kinds of complicated instructions for skin brushing around the interwebs, but it’s really not that hard. Just take something rough but not too irritating — like a dry loofah, a natural-bristle brush, or a coarse washcloth — and rub your skin vigorously, in little circles, from the ends of your body toward your heart.
It only takes a couple of minutes, and it feels really great. (For me, it can make a huge difference in my energy level, especially on cold, sluggish mornings.)
One thing: do it before you shower or bathe, not after. (Skin is usually a little too sensitive for vigorous rubbing after contact with hot water.)
Delphyne said,
November 5, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
Great advice – I’ll remember to do this before showering! Thanks!
leslie postin said,
November 5, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
very good information rebecca and good reminder to love your lymph system during this cold and flu season:)
aurah said,
November 5, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
or get a friend or partner to give you a gentle, loving skin (not muscle) massage! that, plus sweat-inducing tea, worked wonders on my flu yesterday
Lyon Mercaeant said,
November 6, 2009 @ 6:43 am
Interesting idea, thank you for the information. =) I find yoga works wonders, I wonder about yoga, then skin brushing then a hot shower. Sounds like major stress relief to me!
StarkRavingMom said,
November 6, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
so glad whenever a new post pops up here. Your blog is beautiful and so thoughtful.
Holly said,
November 8, 2009 @ 10:19 am
Ditto.
Rebecca said,
November 8, 2009 @ 11:07 am
Ditto, too!
Lyon: Yoga then skin brushing then a hot shower is my favourite morning routine ever!!! (If I’m not being lazy I’ll also do some deep breathing meditation before the yoga part and then I’m on top of the world… even dealing with LA drivers is alright after that…)
And now I have flu I completely forgot about it, so thanks for the reminder
Jan S. said,
November 10, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
I agree with StarkRavingMom. Nice to see a new post and a good one at that.
Gail Harbers said,
April 21, 2010 @ 7:05 am
Hi,
Have just read your articles on Poke Berries – so interesting. I have just qualified as a Vodder MLD Therapist, so know how important the lymph system is (website to be built but name bought – Love Your Lymph)! However, as I’m in the UK wondered if I could obtain poke berries here? Perhaps if anyone knows they could advise me………thank you.
Alice said,
June 13, 2010 @ 5:31 am
My teacher, Demetria Clark at Heart of Herbs http://www.heartofherbs.com is a huge advocate of skin brushing. It is really an amazing feeling.
Thanks for a great post.
Beth said,
July 2, 2010 @ 4:32 pm
very helpful and interesting!
Anjelikajeri said,
July 12, 2010 @ 3:49 am
Really very good site. Colourful pictures make this site very fantastic.
Thanks for sharing.
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