Dry body brushing with essential oils

Dry body brushing has been along for a very long time.  It is a well-known natural health practice and is practiced in many traditional cultures around the world.

Think of the Finnish sauna traditions that go back to 7000 BC.  The sauna customs of the forefathers of the Finns was written by the Nestor the Chronicler in 1112.  

He told of “hot wooden saunas in which naked bathers beat themselves with branches and finally pour cold water over themselves.”

Bathing culture has been around similarly in the European countries for thousand years.  You will find magnificent bathing houses in Turkey, Hungary, GRB and many-many countries around the world.  Sophisticated beauty routines using natural ingredients has been documented for centuries.

Flagellation (Latin flagellum, "whip"), flogging, whipping or lashing is the act of beating the human body with special implements such as whips, lashes, rods, switches, etc.  Typically, flogging is imposed on an unwilling subject as a punishment; however, it can also be submitted to willingly, or performed on oneself, in religious or sadomasochistic contexts as Wikipedia explains.

The strokes are usually aimed at the unclothed back of a person, in certain settings it can be extended to other corporeal areas.  For a moderated subform of flagellation, described as bastinado, the soles of a person's bare feet are used as a target for beating (see foot whipping). 

The purpose of these ceremonies might be different but they all share something in common.  Purifying the body and the soul.  For health reasons or for punishment, the need to initiate changes in the body and soul is the need for such actions.  To purify, detox, eliminate, remove, to get rid of things in the body and the soul that don't serve us well. 

How deep we want to go and how big change we want to induce it all depend on what result we want. 

Dry body brushing is a simple health practice that anyone can practice at home before taking a shower.  No flagellation needed to get great results!  Dry body brushing offers amazing benefits, especially when combined with essential oils! 

Benefits include:

• exfoliating, removing old, dead skin from the back and the rest of the body
• increases circulation
• reduces cellulite
• smoother younger looking skin
• improves fascia and reduces inflammation in the system that can be the cause of chronic pain, MS, fibromyalgia and different mysterious aches and pains (personal experience)
• detoxifies the lymphatic system
• energizes you and makes you feel alive
• reduces depression
• improves sleep

Using natural plants bristle brush is a must.  You don't want to scratch your skin with synthetic brush.  A brush with a long handle so you can reach your back is crucial.  Our spine is the most important as it carries the nervous system.  The Central Nervous System (CNS) controls most functions of the body and mind.  It consists of two parts: the brain and the spinal cord.  To keep your spine healthy and flexible so your CNS can operate to its best capacity is vital for good health. Stimulating it daily will assist your whole nervous system.  Especially, when we spend so much time inactive and sitting. 

Starting the day with a good refreshing dry body brushing then jumping in the shower to have a warm shower to wash off all the dead cells you brushed away gets the circulation and your Central Nervous System going.  Make sure that you finish your shower with cold water!  This is absolutely crucial for a great health routine!  Just gradually turn the hot water lower, then wait, get used to it, then turn it off more, then wait, get used to it etc.  Then you will see, standing under the cold shower is really not that big deal. 

Training your body to get used to this routine of dry brushing with a few drops of essential oil on the brush followed by warm shower followed by cold shower will become your best friend.  Especially in summer, it is sensational!  If you live with Multiple Sclerosis or chronic pain this will bring your back to life and will tremendously help you reduce your heat sensitivity. 

What oils to use on the brush?

I have tried and love many. I used doTerra oils for quality like Lemon, Wild Orange, Tangerine, Grapefruit, Litsea, Siberian Fir, Thyme, Cypress, Coriander, Cilantro, Ginger, Peppermint, Lavender, etc, you name it I tried and all work!

My most favourites and the ones I would highly recommend, other than the one I will detail here next are these:

On Guard blend to build your immune system in seasons of cold and flue when everyone is sick around you. 

Slim & Sassy blend (Smart & Sassy in Aus) to shape up, loose weight and get more energy for the day.

Breathe (Easy Air in Aus) for allergies, sinus issues and respiratory problems or when you go to work out! It will increase your breathing capacity and help performance. 

However, when someone suggested to try Zendocrine that is a doTerra blend for detoxification and it is The Oil of Vitality and Detoxification according to the book called Emotions & Essential Oils, everything has changed.  Zendocrine has Tangerine Peel, Rosemary Leaf, Geranium Flower/Leaf, Juniper Berry, Cilantro Herb essential oils in it. 

Common Primary Uses according to Modern Essentials is for endocrine support and hormonal balance.  This blend also assists healthy tissue function.  You can diffuse this oil blend, inhale the aroma directly from the bottle or by putting a drop or two on your palm, rub your palms then cup your palms around your nose and inhale the aroma, rub, inhale, rub, inhale.  You also can massage on the bottoms of your feet neat or with a little carrier oil.

Emotionally, this blend assists during times of transition and change.  It can assist an individual in "detoxing" old habits and limiting beliefs.  When you feel trapped by self-sabotaging behaviours, Zendocrine paves the way for new life experiences.  It aids in letting go of behaviours, thought patterns and feelings that don't serve you well any more.  Zendocrine is especially helpful during major life changes which require adjustments in habit and lifestyle, such as alternating diet, quitting smoking, moving house, changing city or country or leaving a job or a bad relationship. 

Zendocrine reawakens vital life energy and helps finding new enthusiasm for life.  Makes you see life from a fresh perspective and embrace new experiences. 

Try dry body brushing with Zendocrine and watch your life change!

Grapefruit - The Oil of Honouring the Body

Grapefruit

The Oil of Honouring the Body

Grapefruit teaches true respect and appreciation for one’s physical body. It supports individuals who struggle to honour their body and are caught in patterns of mistreatment. These forms of abuse may include severe dieting, judging one’s body weight or type, and abusing the body through negligent behaviour or violence. These acts are often motivated by hate and disgust buried within the psyche which gets directed by hate and disgust buried within the psyche which gets directed toward the physical body. Though the individual may obsess over how they look, deep down they never feel they look good enough. There is a dissatisfaction that persists. 

Grapefruit oil is often misused in overly strict dietary and weight-loss programs. The reason this oil helps curb emotional eating is because it encourages a positive relationship with one’s body based on love, tolerance, and acceptance. Grapefruit encourages integrity by respecting one’s physical needs. This oil assist an individual in listening to their true physical needs and impulses. It also assist one in taking responsibility for what they feel. Grapefruit teaches that no amount of food can fill a hole in the heart - only love can do that. As the individual takes ownership of their feelings and gets the help they need in addressing them, they no longer have a need to hide their feelings behind food, body abuse, strict regiments, eating issues, or other forms of obsession. 

Negative emotions that the oil will help with: 

Hate for the body, obsession with food or dieting, eating issues, anxiety over appearance. 

Positive emotions encouraged by the oil: 

Respect for body, meeting physical needs, body-acceptance, nourished, healthy relationship with food. 

Grapefruit essential oil has many great benefits for the body and mind. 

It promotes positive feelings because it uplifts your mood and relaxes the mind. Grapefruit oil helps to relief depression, it reduces anxiety and stress. It also works as a general tonic for your body because it increases overall health and strength. 

This oils helps with stiffness and cramps in the muscles. 

Stimulates Hormone Secretion
Grapefruit essential oil has stimulating effects on both, the body and the mind. It stimulates the brain by making it active and gives a new direction to thoughts as well as stimulates endocrine glands and promotes proper secretion of hormones and enzymes, thereby keeping your body’s entire metabolism in proper order. It also stimulates the nervous system and makes you more active and alert. The digestive system also benefits from this essential oil as it stimulates the secretion of gastric juices and bile in the stomach, as well as movement of ingested food through the intestines. Furthermore, it stimulates the lymphatic, circulatory, and excretory system.

Primary health benefits:

• Boosts immune system
• Eliminates and prevents infections due to its antiviral properties
• Inhibits microbial infections due to its antiseptic properties
• Cleanses the skin
• Improves the appearance of blemishes
• Supports healthy metabolism
• Uplifts mood

Common Primary Uses:

Addictions (drugs), anorexia, appetite suppressant, bulimia, cellulite, dry throat, edema, gallbladder stones, hangovers, lymphatic drainage, decongestant, mental stress, miscarriage (after), obesity, overeating, performance anxiety, slimming and toning, stress, withdrawal. 

Properties: antidepressant, antiseptic, disinfectant, diuretic, stimulant and tonic

When using oils always seek the highest quality oils and follow instructions on the bottle. 

Grapefruit essential oil in a 15ml bottle is $20.25 for members and $27 retail price. Per drop price is $0.08. When it comes to essential oils a drop goes very far! A drop is all you need!

To get your Certified Therapeutic Grade doTerra Grapefruit essential oil to enjoy all the benefits please visit www.doterra.com ID: 3424449 We look forward to having you on our team of doTerra essential oil lovers and users!