Color Therapy

Color Therapy: Alternative Medicine At Its Simplest

Introduction:

Color Therapy, or Chromotherapy as it is often called, is a type of alternative medicine that uses colors to heal or induce a feeling of calmness. By no means a new therapy concept, Color Therapy has been used since antiquity along with other home remedies to promote the healing processes within the body.

History Of Color Therapy

Color Therapy has been used by many ancient cultures. Egypt, China, Persia, Greece and India all used Color Therapy. In Egypt, it was common to study nature and repeat its many colors inside buildings, such as green floors representing grass and blue walls to mimic the color of the sky. The Chinese book of medicine called Nei Ching, nearly 2000 years old, has a complete listing of color oriented treatment for diseases. An ancient Arabian named Avicenna described the effects of color therapy in his book The Canon of Medicine around the year 990.

The 19th century found the first book dedicated entirely to the study of Color Therapy called The Theory of Color, published in 1810 by Johann Wolfgang Goethe. He studied the physiological affects of colors and divided them into color groups that cause sadness, and those that cause happiness.

The Spectro Chrometry Encyclopedia, published in India by Dinshah Ghadiali in 1933, was the groundbreaking book that paved the way for Color Therapy in home remedies in modern times. Also during this time in the United States, Dr. Harry Spitler discovered that he could create psychological and physical chances with light in a type of Color Therapy known as Syntonics.

Color Therapy Defined

Color Therapy is simply the use of colors to effect changes in a person’s mental or physical state. It is based on Ayurveda, the ancient healing arts of India. The concept of this alternative medicine is that every color has its own energy wavelength, and directing these wavelengths to the patient will promote healing according to the colors presented. Crystals, gemstones, prisms, candles and colored fabrics may be used in conjuction with other home remedies in Color Therapy. Chromotherapy works on the basis of the seven chakras that need stimulation from the seven main color rays of violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red, or VIBGYOR.

A Brief Rundown Of Some Common Color Families And Their Uses In Color Therapy

• Red: Red is the color of love, aggression and energy. The use of red in Color Therapy could be to increase blood circulation and stimulate fatigued individuals.

• Orange: Orange is the color of warmth and freedom. The psychological uses of this could be to stimulate creativity and open-mindedness. Physically, it is said to aid in digestive and respiratory problems.

• Yellow: Yellow stimulates the mind, awakening creativity and learning ability. Physically, it helps with digestive issues and nerve pain.

• Green: Green is the natural color of healing. It promotes healing in everything from emotional imbalances to kidney or immunity dysfunctions.

• Blue: A cooling color, blue is used to stop inflammation, control blood pressure, and relieve headaches. Psychologically, blue in Color Therapy is used to treat stress with its calming, cooling abilities.

• Purple: Purple is a color indicating transformation. It can be used to bring about sleep, stimulate immunity and white blood cells, and some heart diseases. Mentally, purple is a calming, soothing color to decrease unhappiness and stress.

• White: White is the purest, strongest color for all healing. It is believed surrounding oneself in white is the fastest way to promote healing.

• Pink: Pink is a cheerful color that heals sadness and grief. It helps one find life’s purpose and brings one in touch with inner feelings.

• Brown: Brown is the coloric symbol of earth, and brings with it the strength of earth in building solid relationships and defending family and home. It attracts financial gain as well.

• Black: Black is the color used to break from addiction, and all negativity in one’s life.

• Gold: Gold represents the ultimate in financial gain and freedom. It is used to bring about riches and stability.

Who Can Benefit From Color Therapy?

Color Therapy can be incorporated as an alternative medicine along with traditional treatments and other home remedies. Homeopathic healers can apply Chromotherapy, or it can be easily incorporated into one’s home. In fact, it may already be in use without someone even realizing they have chosen an appropriate color for a room. Pink and blue nursery colors to promote calm, happy babies, wearing a certain color of clothing on a certain day, choosing drapes and carpet in certain colors are ways that Color Therapy is already subconsciously in use during day to day life activities. Anyone can benefit from Color Therapy, whether they choose to see a professional or incorporate it into their home remedies by themselves.

Color Therapy In Use

Reds and yellows tend to stimulate an appetite; the use of these colors by some restaurants is proof of the effectiveness of Color Therapy. Advertisers will use Chromotherapy as an incentive to purchase their products, such as white kitchens used in ads to promote a cleaning product. Doctor’s offices will use calming, healing colors in their waiting rooms and often use white within the exam rooms. Color Therapy surrounds everyone in nearly every aspect of daily life; the trick is to learn how to use it.

How To Incorporate Color Therapy At Home

• Blue is an excellent choice for bedrooms, as it is calming, soothing and promotes good sleep.

• Pinks are excellent for accents, being the color of happiness and tranquility.

• Greens are a good choice for nearly anything, as it is a color of healing, harmony and peace. Green drapes, accent rugs or pillows are some ways of bringing it into every day life, as are plants and flowers.

• White, the color of perfection and purity, is easily incorporated into every aspect of life, from a splash of white in clothing to white linens for sleep.

• Yellow trim on walls, candles or other accents can bring a spiritual lift as a natural mood booster. Wearing yellow can also lift the spirit and combat sadness.

• Bath crystals for colored water: Using bath crystals that change the color of water for bathing is an excellent way to surround oneself in a soothing color.

• Colored light bulbs: Some light bulbs come in gentle tints that can surround an area in soothing, therapeutic color.

When using Color Therapy as a home remedy, allow the subconscious to lead. Most people have a natural aversion to some colors and an instinctive attraction to others. Using Color Therapy is an effective, scientifically proven way to boost mood and the inner powers of healing.