Ayurvedic Dry Brushing: The Ancient Detox Ritual Your Body Will Love
Ayurvedic Dry Brushing: The Ancient Detox Ritual Your Body Will Love
If you’re looking for a simple, energizing ritual to start your day with intention—Ayurvedic dry brushing may be the perfect fit. Known as garshana (pronounced gar-shun-uh), this traditional technique is a time-honored way to awaken the lymphatic system, support natural detoxification, and bring vitality back to your skin and body.
What Is Garshana?
Garshana is a form of Ayurvedic dry massage traditionally performed using raw silk or linen gloves. Today, many people use a natural bristle body brush instead. The goal? To stimulate lymph flow, slough off dead skin cells, and jumpstart circulation.
According to Ayurveda, garshana is especially beneficial for those experiencing signs of ama—a buildup of toxins that can manifest as sluggishness, brain fog, low immunity, or lack of energy.
Why I Started Dry Brushing (and Why I Swear By It)
I’ve always loved to travel. Exploring new places feeds my soul. But in my thirties, something changed. After every flight—whether a short hop to Denver or a long-haul trip overseas—my feet and lower legs would swell. Badly. It didn’t matter what I tried: aisle seats, walking the cabin, compression socks, more water, less wine. Nothing worked. The swelling was painful, sometimes taking days to subside. I was scared that I might have to stop doing the thing I loved most.
Then I paused and thought—Mira, you study the body. What else can you do? That’s when I remembered dry brushing, something I’d once used in a spa treatment.
I thought to myself: You brush your teeth every day. You brush your hair every day. Why not brush your skin every day?
So I began. Every morning after my shower, I picked up my brush and took those few minutes to care for my skin and lymph system. Within weeks, I noticed my skin looked younger and more radiant. And then—my next trip came. A flight to California: no swelling. Later, a long flight to Africa: still no swelling. I was thrilled, astonished, relieved. Dry brushing was the game-changer.
To this day, I swear by it—not just for travel, but for overall well-being. It’s become one of my favorite daily rituals to feel lighter, clearer, and more connected to my body.
Why Try Dry Brushing?
Garshana is especially recommended during Kapha season—late winter into early spring—when water and earth elements are most dominant. It helps to:
Clear congestion and mucus
Lighten the heavy, dense qualities of kapha
Reinvigorate both the body and mind
Dry brushing is also a beautiful way to balance your dosha year-round:
Kapha types: Benefit from daily dry brushing
Pitta types: Aim for 4–5x/week
Vata types: Try 2–4x/week and always follow with warm oil massage (abhyanga) to calm and nourish the nervous system
Not sure your dosha? Take our dosha quiz or ask during your next massage—I’m happy to help you discover yours.
The Benefits of Ayurvedic Dry Brushing
This simple ritual supports your body far beyond the surface. Benefits include:
Improved muscle tone and skin texture
Enhanced lymphatic drainage and blood circulation
Boosted metabolism and gentle detoxification
Reduced physical tension and energetic stagnation
Gentle stimulation in areas prone to cellulite
A renewed sense of clarity, lightness, and vitality
How to Practice Garshana at Home
Dry brushing takes just 3–5 minutes after your morning shower. Here's how to do it the Ayurvedic way:
Enjoy a warm shower to soften the skin, gently exfoliate, and pat yourself completely dry.
Use a dry brush or silk gloves, starting at your feet.
Brush toward your heart using long strokes on limbs and circular motions on joints.
Don’t forget your belly and glutes—use gentle, clockwise circles.
Apply light pressure on sensitive areas and firmer pressure where the skin is thicker.
Optional: follow with another quick warm shower.
Finish with a grounding abhyanga—self-massage with warm, dosha-specific oil to nourish and restore.
When to Skip Dry Brushing
Avoid garshana if:
You have very sensitive skin
You’re dealing with eczema, psoriasis, or open wounds
Your skin is sunburned or irritated
You’re experiencing an acute illness or infection
Revitalize. Restore. Repeat.
Ayurvedic dry brushing is anything but boring. It’s invigorating, detoxifying, and deeply rooted in the wisdom of natural healing. Whether you're supporting a seasonal shift, energizing your mornings, or simply reconnecting with your body, garshana offers a beautiful path forward.
Curious to try it during your next massage?
Ask about adding dry brushing to your session—or book an Ayurvedic massage online for a personalized experience that supports your unique constitution.