By Caroline Hoeffgen, COO, BCHC, JD | Reviewed by Dr. Isabel Sharkar, NMD | May 2026
The skin is the largest most important elimination organ in the body and is responsible for one quarter of the body’s detoxification each day. The skin eliminates over one pound of waste acids each day, most of it through the sweat glands and is known also as our third kidney. The skin receives one third of all the blood circulated in the body. It is the last to receive nutrients in the body but the first to show signs of imbalance or deficiency.Dry skin brushing stimulates cleansing through the lymphatic system. It also helps in removing cellulite, dead skin layers, strengthens the immune system, stimulates hormone and oil producing glands, tightens the skin and prevents premature aging. It tones the muscles, stimulates circulation, improves the function of the nervous system and helps aid digestion.Getting Started
Purchase a natural, NOT a synthetic, bristle brush with a long handle
Skin brushing should be performed once daily first thing in the morning before showering
Begin brushing skin in long sweeping strokes starting from the bottom of your feet upwards, from the hands towards the shoulders and in an upward direction on the torso
Always brush towards the heart
Avoid sensitive areas and anywhere the skin is broken. Do not brush on or over skin rashes, wounds, cuts, infections, poison oak or poison ivy.
After brushing, shower and rinse off alternating temperatures in the shower from hot to cold. This will further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood circulation.
After showering, dry off vigorously and massage your skin with organic oil, such as almond, jojoba, sesame or coconut
Clean your skin brush using soap and water once a week. After rinsing, dry your skin brush in an open, sunny spot to prevent mildew.
For a thorough lymphatic cleansing, perform skin brushing daily for a minimum of three months.
Check out this great YouTube video for more information on skin brushing and how to properly do it!
References: The Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing. Celebrity Diets. The Health Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing. Natural News. The Raw Food Institute with Lisa Wilson.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is provided by Indigo Integrative Health Clinic for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation, and does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Individual health conditions vary — information presented here may not apply to your specific situation. Always consult a qualified, licensed healthcare provider before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment plan.
Bartonella is a bacterial infection that often appears alongside Lyme. In the US there is no current evidence that ticks transmit it, and the question is still under investigation. The proven routes are cat scratches and bites, cat-flea feces, and body lice. It is hard to detect, which is why a thorough Lyme workup checks for it properly.
Babesia is a malaria-like parasite carried by the same tick that carries Lyme. Because it is a parasite and not a bacterium, the antibiotics typically used for Lyme have no effect on it. It is seldom tested for, so people can finish Lyme treatment, still feel sick, and not understand why.
The CDC classifies Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia as high-incidence areas for Lyme. Standard two-tier blood testing catches only 22 to 36 percent of early infections, so a negative result does not rule Lyme out when symptoms are present. Free state and county programs identify a tick's species but do not test it for disease, and broader co-infection testing is not routinely ordered.
