By Guiomar Campbell, Obstetric Nurse and Certified Shiatsu Therapist
Dry skin brushing, using massage oils, drinking beet juice and meridian stretching are just a few things you can do this fall to nourish and detox your skin, improve your immune system and prevent your body from building up toxicity during the cold winter.
Our skin is the largest elimination organ in the body and anything you can do to improve its function will benefit the other elimination organs such as your lungs, bowels and kidneys, in turn.
The abdomen, also called hara in Japanese, is the centre of meridian system and the source of life, therefore disease has its roots in here. Moving Qi in the belly supports your immune system, lymphatic drainage and the proper release of toxins.Stretching the body along the pathway of energy also improves vitality and skin health.
Step 1: Massage your belly before getting up.
While still in your comfy bed, massage your belly in a circular motion and clockwise direction to improve the circulation of Qi energy. Press each point (shown in the diagram) individually, from the upper abdomen, around the belly button to lower abdomen and back up. Press and hold each point for two breaths before releasing. When Qi is balanced, the points should have a strong pulsation and feel resilient (like a rubber ball) and warm.
Step 2: Practice meridian stretch exercises.
Meridian stretching, a specific form of exercise, helps to keep the energy flowing through the meridians, improving the health of internal organs and preventing sickness.
Lu and LI meridian stretch, in particular, helps to improve breathing. (If you’re unfamiliar with meridian stretching, join us for a class!)
Step 3: Dry brush your skin daily.
Start by getting a good natural brush. I like the Japanese sisal brushes you can find in many health food stores – they’re firm and gentle. When brushing the skin or massaging it, I like to follow meridian pathways of the Yin and Yang, and that’s what I’ve described here. (If you prefer to follow the lymphatic system, you may brush towards the centre of the body instead.)
Begin brushing your left side from your chest towards the inner arm finishing at the hands. Brush 4-8 times.
Brush the outer hands and outside the arms towards your shoulders. You may want to draw small circles on your skin as you move the brush or take long and firm strokes in straight lines.
Brush the upper back from the spine out in a circular movement, clockwise.
Brush the belly in circular movement , clockwise, from the centre to the breast bone.
Brush each inner leg from foot to thigh.
Brush the left side of your ribs paying attention to delicate spots; continue stroking down the hip, over outer leg to your foot. Repeat on the right side.
After brushing your skin, take a nice cool shower and continue massaging it under the water. Dry yourself gently and apply natural moisturizer to tone the skin. I like to use a therapeutic massage oil that contains skin healing essential oils such as lavender, roman chamomile, rose and cypress. It will nourish and moisturize your skin, leaving it naturally shiny and smooth.
Step 4: Drink green vegetable smoothies and plenty of water
Water rejuvenates and flushes toxins from your body. Drink 8 glasses of pure water a day. Prepare a healthy skin smoothie by combing fresh raw beets, 2 leaves of dandelion, one handful of spinach, half a lime, and 1 cup of berries such as strawberry, raspberry and blueberry. Add 1tbsp of ground flax seed for extra B12, blend, sip and enjoy!
