Top 5 Garshana Practice Benefits for Your Body and Mind

These days, there are countless wellbeing practices that have been well-studied for their health, beauty and mind-boosting benefits. From meditation and mindfulness, to breathwork, cold therapy, infrared saunas and journaling—there are a myriad of ways we are now able to elevate our self-care routines and support our bodies.

Garshana: Ayurvedic Dry Body Brushing

But there is one ritual that, despite being around for centuries, is often overlooked—the art of dry body brushing. Although many traditional cultures have their own variation of this body-boosting practice, Garshana dry body brushing (pronounced gar-sha-nuh) originates from ancient India and the Ayurvedic tradition, where it was used widely as a cleansing and healing practice to detoxify the body and remove ama (or toxins).

While in modern times we usually conflate the art of body brushing with a way to enhance beauty, truth be told, the practice of Garshana holds many benefits—as we dive into below…

1. Improves lymphatic drainage

When practised daily, Garshana dry body brushing is one of the best ways to improve lymphatic drainage and given that our lymphatic system is one of our body’s key channels of detoxification—it’s a practice with far-reaching rewards. As part of our immune system, our lymphatic system is a complex network of ducts, nodes and vessels that collects and circulates fluid—also known as ‘lymph’—through virtually all the tissues in our body. With three key functions—helping to maintain optimal fluid balance in the body, assisting with the absorption of fat in the intestines and supporting immune function by ensuring our lymph nodes effectively filter any viruses and bacteria that we come into contact with (as well as producing protective antibodies to help prevent disease and infection)—it’s clear that keeping this system running smoothly is of the utmost importance to our health and wellbeing. 

However, unlike our circulatory system, which flows on its own, our lymphatic system can easily become sluggish which is why regular exercise, breathwork and daily Garshana dry body brushing can be so helpful. Because of the physical nature of Garshana, using firm, fluid strokes in the direction of your heart, works with your body’s natural flow of lymph and promotes improved detoxification.

2. Energises the body

Garshana dry body brushing is often picked up as a practice to help support healthy skin—but on a deeper level, the physicality of the practice itself helps to energise the body and promote warmth from head to toe. This is because with every brushstroke, you are helping to stimulate blood flow and increase circulation—moving energy through the body and further supporting detoxification channels.

3. Improves skin tone & texture

It may sound obvious, but one of Garshana’s most appealing benefits is how it can improve skin tone and texture. The soft bristles help to gently exfoliate the skin, clearing debris from pores and sloughing away dead skin cells whilst by helping to stimulate blood flow and bring freshly oxygenated blood to the skin’s surface. As a result, skin is left feeling smoother, looking clearer, brighter and more glowy!

4. Reduces puffiness

Garshana translated literally means “friction by rubbing”—and as explored above, is an excellent way of stimulating lymphatic drainage. This in turn helps to reduce puffiness by shifting and moving any excess fluid that has accumulated. Given many of us have fairly sedentary lifestyles, Garshana is one way to help stimulate movement in the body and ensure puffiness caused by fluid retention is reduced. Similarly, when firm strokes are used, dry body brushing can also help to break down fatty deposits beneath the skin, tightening the skin and reducing the appearance of cellulite.

5. Eases stress

Often, the trouble with self-care is that it feels like just one more thing to add to our already overflowing to-do lists. But without carving out time for sacred soothing rituals, our stress levels can peak! What we love about Garshana dry body brushing is that it’s a simple practice that only takes a few minutes, and can be integrated into your existing routine. Simply use the LAMAV Garshana Dry Body Brush on dry skin before your shower and not only will your skin thank you, but so too will your stress levels. Proven to help support healthy adrenal function and reduce cortisol, the rhythmic practice of dry body brushing is a simple way to say sayonara to stress!

Mental and Emotional Benefits of Garshana

While the physical perks are often highlighted, the mental and emotional benefits of Garshana are just as transformative.

1. Grounding and Energizing

The rhythmic strokes of Ayurvedic dry brushing activate prana (life force energy), grounding you in the present moment. This reduces mental fatigue while leaving you calm yet energized—a balanced state to carry through your day.

2. Stress Relief

Incorporating Garshana massage into your evening routine can feel like a reset button for the mind. By combining dry brushing with deep breathing, you create a mindfulness practice that reduces stress and restores inner peace.

3. Self-Love and Ritual Connection

Taking a few minutes to nurture your skin with dry brushing benefits is a powerful act of self-love. Ayurveda views self-care as essential for balance—not indulgence. Garshana encourages self-compassion, reflection, and a deeper connection between body, mind, and soul.

Conclusion

Garshana, the ancient Ayurvedic practice of dry body brushing, is far more than a beauty ritual. While it delivers visible benefits like smoother skin, improved circulation, and reduced puffiness, its true power lies in how it nurtures both body and mind. By stimulating the lymphatic system, boosting energy, easing stress, and fostering self-love, Garshana becomes a holistic ritual of renewal.

In just a few mindful minutes each day, this simple yet powerful practice can help you feel grounded, energized, and more connected to yourself. Whether your goal is glowing skin, better wellbeing, or a deeper sense of balance, Ayurvedic dry brushing is a timeless ritual that continues to prove its worth in modern self-care routines.