Dry Brushing or Gharshana

Dry brushing is a technique that uses a brush with coarse natural fiber bristles over the skin. Ayurvedic dry brushing or Gharshana is done with raw silk or linen gloves or brush with coarse natural fiber bristles. Dry brushing helps you remove dead skin as brushing the skin when it is dry allows you to exfoliate it and increases blood circulation. It opens up the clogged pores, and aids detoxification as it helps to drain lymphatic fluids. Gharshana is stimulating, it is very helpful to balance access Kapha. Use the brush which has a long handle so that you can easily reach your back.

Tips on how to perform dry brushing

As mentioned above, Use a natural fiber brush with a long handle so that you can reach all the areas of your body.

• Using gloves or a brush, massage vigorously to stimulate the skin and lymph.

• Brush in wide circular strokes.

• If you are new to dry brushing, apply gentle pressure initially till you get used to dry brushing.

• Start with your feet and move up as strokes should be always towards the heart.

• Brush your arms, trunk and then brush your armpits in an upward motion.

• Take shower to remove the dry skin. If you want, you can do abhyanga with dosha specific oil before showering.

• If you prefer not to do abhyanga after dry brushing, you can directly take the shower and after the shower, pat dry and moisturize your skin with a natural oil like olive oil or almond oil, or coconut oil.

Avoid sensitive areas and anywhere the skin is broken. Do not dry brush on your face. Dry brushing might not work if you have sensitive skin or very dry skin so the key is to be very mindful and listen to your body. In case of sensitive skin or dry skin, you can use a gentle sugar scrub or body scrub while enjoying a bubble bath to remove dead skin as long as you do not have any skin disease. Also never perform dry brushing or Abhyanga without checking with your doctor if you have any skin disease, injuries, irritation, inflammation, sores, scraps, cuts, lesions, burned skin, skin cancer. If bristles are very harsh you can also try a dry towel or washcloth.