Chinese gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy, by uses specific tools (such as buffalo horn, jade, etc.) to scrape on the surface of the skin, promote blood circulation, remove dampness and heat from the body, regulate qi and blood, and other purposes. The process of gua sha produces red spots or bruises on the surface of the skin, which is because gua sha can promote lymphatic circulation and help eliminate toxins from the body. So what is Chinese gua sha?
Gua sha history
Gua sha originated in ancient China and can be traced back thousands of years. In ancient times, it was believed that through gua sha, people could regulate their bodies and promote health. gua sha is regarded as an effective therapy in the tradition of Chinese medicine and is widely used to treat a variety of diseases and for health care. Over time, gua sha gradually spread to other Asian countries and around the world, becoming a popular natural remedy and beauty treatment.
Principles of Chinese gua sha
1. Gua sha tools and materials
The tools commonly used in gua sha include scraping boards made of materials such as buffalo horn, jade, and porcelain spoons.
These tools usually have a certain curved surface to allow for smoother scraping on the surface of the skin.
In addition, certain lubricants, such as herbal oils or moisturizing creams, are used to reduce skin irritation and friction when scraping.
2. Role and effect of gua sha
The main effects of gua sha include promoting blood circulation, activating meridians, regulating qi and blood, and eliminating dampness and heat.
Through scraping gua sha can stimulate the nerve endings on the surface of the skin, promote local blood circulation, accelerate metabolism, and help the body expel toxins.
In addition, gua sha can also relieve muscle fatigue and pain, and promote the body’s self-repair and recovery ability.
In beauty care, gua sha is also believed to improve skin texture, promote skin metabolism, reduce wrinkles and pigmentation, and make skin smoother and more delicate.
The method of Chinese gua sha
1. Steps and techniques of gua sha
- Preparation: Choose suitable gua sha tools and lubricants, and make sure the skin and tool surface are clean.
- Apply lubricant: Apply an appropriate amount of lubricant on the part to be scraped to reduce skin friction.
- Scraping action: With appropriate strength and angle, along the meridian or muscle texture direction for scraping, you can choose one-way or multi-directional scraping.
- Pay attention to strength: Scraping gua sha should be moderate strength, not too heavy, so as not to damage the skin.
- Observe skin reaction: Observe the skin changes after scraping gua sha, such as red spots or bruises is a normal phenomenon but should avoid excessive stimulation.
2. Precautions for gua sha
- Avoid scraping gua sha on an empty stomach or immediately after a full meal, so as not to affect the digestive function.
- Gua sha should be avoided in the skin with wounds, sores, or inflammation, so as not to infect or aggravate the symptoms.
- After scraping gua sha should avoid wind, avoid sun exposure, keep your body warm, and avoid cold.
- Pregnant women, children, the elderly, and people with specific diseases should be guided by a doctor to carry out gua sha, and avoid improper use.
- After scraping gua sha should clean the skin and tools in time, keep hygiene, and avoid infection.
Benefits of Chinese gua sha
1. Benefits to the body
Promote blood circulation: Gua sha can stimulate the expansion of blood vessels on the surface of the skin and increase the speed of blood circulation, which helps oxygen and nutrients to be better transported to all parts of the body and promotes metabolism.
Conditioning qi and blood: Gua sha can help regulate qi and blood, promote qi and blood unimpeded, balance yin and yang, and enhance the body’s resistance and immunity.
Eliminating dampness and heat: Gua sha can promote lymphatic circulation, help eliminate dampness and heat in the body, purify the internal environment, and help prevent and improve the disease caused by dampness and heat.
2. Benefits to the skin
Promote skin metabolism: Gua sha can stimulate the microcirculation of the skin surface, accelerate metabolism, promote skin cell renewal, and make the skin more smooth and delicate.
Purify skin pores: Gua sha can help remove the old waste and dirt on the skin surface, purify pores, and prevent the generation of acne and pimples.
Enhance skin luster: Gua sha can promote skin blood circulation, increase the supply of nutrients, improve skin color, and make the skin more lustrous and elastic.
Application of gua sha
1. Application in traditional Chinese medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, gua sha is widely used to treat a variety of physical discomforts and diseases.
- Wind-cold and cold: Gua sha can help dissipate cold, dispel wind, and relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion and headache caused by cold.
- Muscle aches and pains: Gua sha can relieve muscle aches, stiffness, and pains by relaxing the muscles and promoting blood circulation.
- Conditioning meridians: Gua sha can activate meridians, regulate qi and blood, promote the normal operation of the body, and balance yin and yang.
- Eliminate dampness and heat: Gua sha can help eliminate dampness and heat in the body and improve diseases caused by dampness and heat, such as eczema and a damp-heat body.
2. Application in beauty care
- Enhance facial contour: Through gua sha, facial muscles can be stimulated to increase the elasticity of the skin, enhance the facial contour, and reduce slackness and sagging.
- Lighten fine lines and wrinkles: Gua sha can promote blood circulation in the skin, increase the supply of nutrients, and improve skin elasticity, thus reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Purify pores: Gua sha can remove dirt and old waste on the skin’s surface, cleanse pores, and prevent the generation of acne and pimples.
- Improve skin luster: By activating blood circulation in the skin and promoting metabolism, gua sha can make the skin smoother and more delicate and improve the skin’s natural luster.
In modern beauty care, Chinese gua sha has become a popular natural treatment that is widely used for facial beauty, anti-aging, and enhancing skin health.
Conclusion
Gua sha, as a traditional Chinese medicine therapy, has important health and beauty values. It can help improve the health of the body and enhance the quality and radiance of the skin by stimulating blood circulation on the skin surface, regulating qi and blood, and promoting metabolism.
Widely used in Chinese medicine, it is regarded as an effective means of toning the body, preventing disease, and protecting health. Chinese gua sha has also become a popular natural treatment in modern beauty treatments, and its unique effects are important for facial beauty, anti-aging, and enhancing skin health.
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