Colour therapy is an alternative healing technique that uses the visible spectrum of light and colour to affect a person’s mood, physical or mental health. Colours are electromagnetic wavelengths that humans perceive as colourful when light stimulates the retina of the eye. Studies have shown that colours can genuinely impact moods, feelings, and emotions in some ways. Specific colours are therefore used in colour healing to balance ‘energy’, foster health and treat physical and psychological problems.
The Theory behind Colour Therapy
The theory behind colour healing is that different colours evoke different responses in people. Warm colours like red, orange and yellow are energizing and uplifting. Cool colours like blue, indigo and violet have a calming and relaxing effect. Colour healing works on the concept that certain colours relate to certain organs in the body. For example, red relates to the heart, green to the lungs and yellow to the spleen. Colour therapy aims to restore balance where there is imbalance and promote the flow of energy around the body.
History of Using Colours for Healing
The use of colour in healing has a long history. In ancient Egypt, China and India, sunlight was used for healing. Coloured light was shone on people’s bodies while coloured glass and gems were also used to treat illnesses. In ancient Greek, colour was associated with temperaments and emotions. In medieval Europe, people wore amulets of different coloured gems to ward off certain illnesses. More recently, in the 19th century, Augustus Pleasanton claimed blue light could stimulate growth in plants and animals. In 1877, Edwin Babbit published The Principles of Light and Color focusing on chromotherapy.
How Colours Affect Us
| Colour | Psychological Effect |
|---|---|
| Red | Stimulates, boosts metabolism, increases respiration and heart rate |
| Orange | Uplifts, relieves depression, boosts energy levels |
| Yellow | Stimulates mental activity, boosts optimism and self-esteem |
| Green | Balances, relaxes, helps with anxiety and depression |
| Blue | Calms, reduces stress, helps concentration and clear thinking |
| Indigo | Purifying, helps with intuition and deeper perception |
| Violet | Uplifting, mystical, transforms negativity and pain |
Different colours have different psychological and physiological effects on people. Warm colours are stimulating while cool colours are calming. Each colour has its own unique vibration and energy which interacts with our energy field. Exposure to certain colours can promote healing by balancing our physical, emotional and spiritual energies.
Chakra Colour Meanings
In colour therapy, colours are also associated with the seven chakras or energy centres in the body.
| Chakra | Location | Colour |
|---|---|---|
| Root | Base of spine | Red |
| Sacral | Below navel | Orange |
| Solar Plexus | Upper abdomen | Yellow |
| Heart | Centre of chest | Green/Pink |
| Throat | Throat | Blue |
| Third Eye | Between eyebrows | Indigo |
| Crown | Top of head | Violet |
Each chakra is associated with a specific colour that resonates with its energy. By visualizing or exposing the chakras to their corresponding colours, they can be balanced and optimized for health and wellbeing.
Using Colour Healing
There are several ways colour healing can be used:
Colour visualization and meditation
By visualizing certain colours while meditating, you can experience their energy and vibration. Visualize the colour filling your body or chakra to open, heal and balance it.
Colour breathing
As you inhale, visualize breathing in a colour. Exhale grey or murky energy. This cleanses the body and energy field.
Colour therapy with light
Being exposed to specific colours using lamps, light boxes or colour glasses can help balance the mind and body. Coloured light filters through the skin to target organs, glands and systems.
Colour rooms or booths
Lying in a coloured room or booth bathes the entire body with chromotherapy. Different coloured lights and murals surround the person.
Colour healing applications
Massaging specific body parts with corresponding coloured oils, wearing coloured clothing or placing coloured fabrics on the body delivers colour healing.
Chromo-acupuncture
Acupuncture and acupressure points are stimulated with light wands emitting a relevant colour. Lasers can also be used.
Scientific Evidence for Colour Therapy
There have been numerous studies on the psychological and physiological effects of colour:
– Blue light helps boost attention, mood and brain activity. It can ease depressive symptoms.
– Red light has been shown to increase blood flow and circulation. It may help wound healing.
– Green light can balance heart rate variability and improve sleep quality.
– Blue rooms can lower heart rate and blood pressure compared to red rooms.
– Patients exposed to blue light required less pain medication compared to those shown red light.
While more research is still needed, initial studies indicate potential health benefits of using colour psychologically and physiologically.
Is Colour Healing Safe?
Colour healing is generally safe when practiced appropriately. Always consult your doctor about using colour therapy for any health condition, especially:
– If you have photosensitive epilepsy or a light-sensitive migraine condition
– If you have a pacemaker or similar device that could be affected by light
– If you are taking photosensitive medications or supplements
– If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a hormone-sensitive condition
Otherwise, most people can benefit from simple at-home colour healing techniques like visualization and meditation using colour.
Conclusion
Colours can profoundly impact us on psychological, emotional and physical levels. Colour healing works on the principle that different colours carry their own energy and vibration which interacts with the energy centres and organs in our bodies. While more controlled trials are still needed, preliminary research shows colour therapy can have measurable, beneficial health effects. When used safely and appropriately, simple colour healing modalities like meditation, breathing techniques and colour visualization may promote harmony and healing on multidimensional levels.