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Gua sha Doesn’t Detox—Stop Believing the Lie
Thursday, December 12, 2024
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Does Gua sha Detoxify?
Put that question into your internet search engine, and you’ll get pages of links telling you that it does and a whole load of tools to help you do it. Welcome to the sorry state of modern Gua sha.
The Detoxification Myth
I have heard this constantly over the decades I have been using Gua sha, and it features in most descriptions of Gua sha, whether for the face or the body. It’s a favorite buzzword for tool sellers and trainers when they try to talk about what Gua sha does to the body.
People have been saying it for so long that others just repeat it like it were a fact. If this is something you’ve said or believed, I’ve got news for you: Gua sha does not detoxify. It has never been how it works.
Detoxification: What Does It Really Mean?
Let’s start with ‘detoxify.’ Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines it as:
- To remove a harmful substance (such as a poison or toxin) or the effect of such from.
- To render (a harmful substance) harmless.
So what is a toxin? Many treatments claim to cleanse the body of harmful substances, but the term “toxin” is often loosely defined. It’s similar to the word “natural,” which has become meaningless in terms of health and diet.
The Truth About Toxins in the Body
Toxins in our bodies come in two forms:
- Endotoxins: Byproducts our bodies make, such as lactic acid, urea, and feces.
- Exotoxins: Substances from outside our bodies, such as chemicals from cleaning products, pollutants, and pesticides.
Our bodies are already equipped with sophisticated detoxification systems. The liver and kidneys play crucial roles in filtering and eliminating toxins. These organs work continuously to keep our bodies clean and healthy.
Why Does Gua sha Get Associated with Detox?
Years ago, I watched a video of a shirtless practitioner scraping people in California, claiming the dirty-looking lubricant on the tool was evidence of toxins leaving the skin. This is a prime example of presenting information in a vacuum and making people believe anything.
The standard TCM explanation of Gua sha is that it improves the circulation of qi and blood, dilates capillaries, enhances local blood vessel function, and promotes excretion of metabolic products. This process is sometimes labeled as a “detoxification effect,” but that’s misleading.
What Chinese Medicine Really Says
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), there’s no theory of detoxification. Prominent experts, such as Qiao Zhanbing and Professor Pei Zhimei, have clarified that “detoxification” is a modern buzzword, not a traditional concept.
Instead, TCM refers to “toxins” or “toxic evils” as causative factors of disease, such as heat or cold. Gua sha evolved as a way to address these “toxins,” not by removing them in a literal sense but by activating the body’s natural processes.
The Science of Gua sha
When Gua sha stimulates the capillary bed, it increases the absorption of waste products from tissues—but not in a special detoxification way. The body’s natural detox systems, like the liver and kidneys, are responsible for processing waste.
Don’t Fall for the “Detox” Gimmick
The next time someone claims Gua sha detoxifies or tries to sell you a special detox tool, think twice. Gua sha offers profound benefits beyond the shallow and misleading idea of detox. It’s a tragedy that such a rich, versatile practice is reduced to this oversimplification.
Hi, It's Clive
Director of Komorebi Institute
Hi, It's Clive
From researching underfunded healthcare in Uganda, to running a thriving chronic illness clinic in North Africa, to collaborating with hospitals in Sri Lanka to train staff and empower communities - My journey has been dedicated to democratizing access to beauty and health.
