Our skin is the largest breathing organ in our bodies! Think of it as an inside-out second lung, in rhythm with our internal breath. Or as our outer balloon, a thin stretchy film that wraps us, defines our outer boundary (bounding), keeps “us” together, connects us to our outside world.
Our skin is in fact many fine layers of dermis and epi-dermis, all working collaboratively to regulate our temperature, (sweating or shivering), protect our fascia and inner organs, release toxins and ‘face our world’.
Facing the world is often what defines us, in social media (Facebook & Insta) our businesses and brand. The world knows us by our face, bio-metrics and outer skin, defines us by size, shape, pigmentation and life-vitality, according to cultural markers. A multi-billion dollar global business influences our skin-care choices, moulds how to look great, look younger, follow celebrities, be successful.
But our grandmothers knew that true beauty comes from the inside, we glow when our inner heath is in balance, our hearts are happy and life feels “whole”. Our skin is our radiant outer expression of good heart and high health. Autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to give our skin a huge hug, and prime it for Spring, in time to seasonally shine.
Our skin has many allies: liver, lungs, kidneys, spleen, heart, blood, lymph, endocrine glands, all working together for our highest health and optimal balance. So, it’s not what you put on, that matters, so much as what you put in, or choose to leave out!
Our skin expresses our inner balance very honestly; rashes, itchiness, shingles and even long term psoriasis are clues to acute or chronic inner health challenges. Applying topical creams or powders are only a temporary surface approach remedy. You will also need to get ‘under your skin’, and look through a whole body lens. Is there something emotional that makes you flush? Does someone bring you out in a rash? Is something toxic you’re eating trying to break out?
Now is the season to slow down, keep natural sleep rhythms and sleep more, invest in yourself and nourish your body and spiritual self. You will be rewarded, and your mood, outlook and self-confidence will radiate high health, come Spring. When allergies, hives, and hayfever re-visit, you may be surprised that these seasonal maladies no longer worry you.
At Brooklyn Wellness, we have many resources to assist your journey. If you think stress may be affecting your skin and general health, read our article on Defusing Stress. Or read about how you can Use Your Senses for increased well being.
If you want to eat better, have a look at our Recipe Index for some guidelines on clean eating, and links to all our recipe pages, including:
Next months article will focus in depth on being winter ready, but much of the info is already up on the site. If you want to improve your winter immunity, this article is a good place to start.
Or you may like to try making some of your own skin preparations. It need not be expensive: there are many DIY remedies that you can make yourself for cleansing and soothing the skin. When making your own remedies, always make them in glass, never plastic. Purity is important for anything you apply to your skin (imagine inhaling toxic chemicals!) so look for organic or spray free ingredients.
- A friend infuses spray-free lavender flowers for a delicate face and hand cream. Pick lavender flowers and put in a glass jar. Cover with virgin, cold pressed organic olive oil, and leave in a cool place for a month. Strain out the flowers, cap securely and use within 2 months.
- You can make exquisite rose infused oil, in the same way, when you have them in flower.
- Calendula petals, rosemary leaves and chamomile flowers are time honoured soothing herbs for itchy skin. You can even use chamomile T-Bags as a wash, in a pinch!
- Use a drop of lemongrass or lemon essential oil (only use therapeutic grade oil) to create an insect repellent.
- Lavender essential oil (diluted) is gentle and cleansing for broken skin.
- Traditional Maori Rongoā Māori also offers many options, kawakawa leaves being a special favourite. Collect with respect, only take a few leaves from each bush! See more information on Rongoā Māori here.
- Even our weeds are power-houses of inner health, plantain can be chewed or mashed, chickweed is full of vitamins, the juice is a skin soother.
Be creative. Learn more about NZ herbs here. Or your local library will have many good herbal references, they need our community support!
Or contact one of our practitioners for some tailored dietary, cleansing or detoxing advice.
Related posts
- Essential oils
- Staying Healthy Through Winter
- Defusing Stress
- See our Recipe Index for some guidelines on clean eating, and links to all our recipe pages, including:
brooklynwellness.nz 