Color Therapy: Heal with Colors

Psychological studies have proved that colors can affect our mood. Yellow and red have been found to be the most stimulating colors. Interior designers and paint manufacturing companies use this knowledge when giving advice about the colors to be used for particular environments.¹

Introduction

Color therapy is based on the premise that the human body is composed of fields of energy. The body remains healthy when energy is distributed properly to all the parts and circulating freely. When there is an imbalance in the energy distribution or presence of abnormal amounts of energy, the body falls ill.¹

The most important source of energy for humans is sunlight. It consists of the energies of 7 colors – red, orange, green, blue, yellow, indigo, and violet. Each of these colors, present in the visible spectrum of light, has its own wavelength and frequency. Thus, each color produces a specific form of energy.¹

Ancient Egyptians used color to encourage the body’s innate healing ability. It is said that Egyptians used different colors in different rooms in certain palaces to indicate the purpose of the room. A papyrus was found that gave a description of various color cures for different disorders. Hippocrates also described colors and their special properties. The Chinese also documented their thoughts on color diagnoses.²

Paracelsus described healing with colors along with herbs and music. However, a majority of his work was lost since it got burnt. Sir Isaac Newton documented his experiments with color in his book “Opticks.” He noticed that light passed through a prism and then became different and identifiable rays of color. He also observed that white light broke down into various colors after passing through a prism and then blended to become white light again.²

Advantages

Different colors are used to treat various disorders since each color affects us in a different way. If we are aware of how each color influences us, we can utilize their power to give ourselves extra energy when required.

• A mix of blue, green, and orange colors is used to treat arthritis.
• A mix of green and yellow colors is used to treat diabetes.
• A mix of violet and blue colors is used to treat migraine.
• A mix of red, blue, and green is used to treat female infertility.
• Indigo color is used to treat dandruff.
• Blue color is used to treat cough.
• Yellow color is used to treat constipation.
• A mix of indigo and green colors is used to treat cancer.¹

Other benefits of color therapy are:

• To lower a fever
• To stimulate the thyroid
• To increase the hemoglobin in blood
• To increase platelet count
• To improve circulation and activate digestion
• To reduce the chances of contracting infections
• To encourage reduced scarring
• To encourage wound healing²

The 7 major chakras of our body are associated with specific colors –

• Root – red
• Sacral – orange
• Solar plexus – yellow
• Heart – green
• Throat – blue
• Brow – indigo
• Crown – violet²

Scientific research

• In the 1970s, a research study observed that exposure to red light for 30 minutes increased heart rate and blood pressure, whereas exposure to blue light reduced it.
• Pink shades have been shown to have a calming effect on prisoners.
• Symptoms of acute eruptive disorders such as chicken pox and measles were alleviated when the sufferers were put in a room with red windows.
• Pain and depression are effectively treated using colored lights and flashing bright lights.
• Scientists note that problems with sleep can be treated within a day using color therapy.
• Alteration of mood takes around 1-2 weeks to be cured by color therapy.¹

Methodology

When the energy of color enters the human body, the pituitary glands and the pineal glands are stimulated. This has an effect on the production of hormones, which influence many physiological processes. This is the reason why color directly affects our moods, thoughts, and behavior. Color even has an effect on blind people, who are able to sense it through the energy vibrations created within the body.¹

Red light stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, whereas blue and white light excite the parasympathetic nervous system. Certain colors increase the production of hormones, whereas other colors inhibit it.¹

Color therapy can be incorporated in our lives in the following ways:

• Paint colors on the walls of our rooms.
• Keep specific colored objects in our homes and offices.
• Hang a painting with specific colors that we need to encourage healing and look at it.
• Wear specific colors when required.
• Keep plants in our rooms with specific colors.
• Use bedspreads that contain the required color.
• Spread a rug that contains the required color.
• Use light bulbs of the required color.
• Use colored crystals and gemstones.²

Side effects

Color therapy is painless, gentle, and has no side effects.

References:

1. Babey-Brooke A.M., Amber R.B. Color Therapy:  Healing with Color. BestHowToBooks; 1979. 271 p.

2. Milford F. Color Therapy for Energy Workers. Lulu.com; 2010. 52 p.