Healing | Healing With Colors

The use of color in healing has become more popular in recent years, but the concept can actually be traced as far back as ancient Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, and Indian civilizations.

What is color therapy?

Color therapy, or chromotherapy, refers to the use of color to promote healing. Every color has its own wave-length and energy, and the seven spectrum colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blur, indigo, and violet) correspond with the seven main energy centres (called chakras in Ayurvedic medicine) of the body.

Color therapists believe that establishing and maintaining a balance of these color energies helps ensure good health and overall well-being. The following are the seven spectrum colors and their corresponding energy centres:

Red - base chakra

Orange - sacral chakra

Yellow - solar plexus chakra

Green - heart chakra

Blue - throat chakra

Indigo - brow chakra

Violet - crown chakra

Use of color therapy

Color has been incorporated as complementary therapy for many medical conditions, including asthma, depression, skin ailments, cardiovascular problems and pain. Its use is based on the belief that each color has healing properties for specific ailments or parts of the body. Proponents of color therapy believe that surrounding yourself with the right colors can promote overall health - both physical and psychological.

Red

When you look at the color red, what do you associate it with? Energy, excitement? In color therapy, red promotes energy and stimulation. Health-wise, it is thought to improve blood circulation, particularly to the brain, as will as stimulate red blood cell formation. It is also said to help reduce pain and inflammation.

Orange

Related to the sacral chakra, orange is thought to boost enthusiasm and pleasure. Health-wise, it is said to help reduce digestive problems like abdominal cramps and flatulence, as well as menstrual cramps. For breastfeeding mothers, the color orange is said to stimulate the mammary glands, leading to increased milk production.

Yellow

Yellow is considered a sensory stimulant that encourages clarity. As a therapy, yellow is used to promote the health of the digestive and nervous systems. It also supposedly increases appetite, so it may not be a good choice for your dining room walls if you are trying to lose weight!

Green

Green is said to encourage overall balance. Color therapists use green for brain stimulation, making it a great choice for the walls of the study or library. It is also well known for its calming effects.

Blue

Blue is also a great color for the study or library as it is thought to encourage knowledge. It may also be a good choice for a family room as it is linked to effective communication. Unlike yellow, which increases appetite, blue is said to suppress it. Does this explain why you hardly see restaurants painted blue?

Indigo

Like green, indigo is thought to have a calming effect. Therefore, it may be a great color for the bedroom as it promotes deep sleep, leading to a refreshed feeling on waking (a definite no-no for the study!).

Violet

As violet is associated with the crown of the head, the impact of this color is more spiritual; it is said to encourage enlightenment. Painting your bedroom violet may be a good idea as it also promotes restful sleep. Overall, violet is said to encourage calmness and relaxation.

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