Healing With Colors

Written by: Ginger Red Hawk
Published on: July 31, 2011
Category: Alternative Healing

Colors affect our moods, our ideas and thoughts and the entire environment around us in general. "Green with envy", "Pink with embarrassment", "Red with anger", "Feeling blue", "Purple with rage" - We use color to express our emotions. Artists use colors to express emotions of their caricatures. How often have we seen a Minnie Mouse blush pink? The number of times Jerry has made Tom see red is uncountable. Given that we use colors to express our emotions, it is not too far fetched to believe that colors can actually affect our moods. There is empirical evidence to indicate that indeed, colors affect our moods.

Going one step further, colors can also be used to heal. Healing is all about making one feel better - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Since colors do affect our emotions they can be used to heal as well.

Using colors to heal is not a new fangled theory cooked up by an obscure occult. Indeed, there is evidence that indicates that the ancient Egyptians immersed themselves in huge vats of colors to cure various illnesses. Color therapy was very much in practice then. The methods may have changed somewhat today, but the principle stays the same.

Practicing color therapy or healing with colors requires a trained individual. The therapist must know what colors are suitable for what illnesses, the mixtures or proportions the colors are to be mixed in, and how long the therapy can be continued without having negative effects. Prolonged exposure to color therapy can have negative side effects as well just like any other medicine. Additionally, colors that work for one person may not work for another. Color therapy is practiced in the following ways today:

Colored light bulbs or colored glasses can be used as part of therapy. Sometimes, rooms with huge windows are given a particular 'color' by coloring the window panes. Individuals are made to sit inside the 'color' rooms as part of therapy.

Some therapists ask individuals to visualize a color under hypnosis. Experts suggest that color therapy can work even by changing the color of the clothes you wear, the food you eat and even your surroundings.

Solarized water can be used as a healing tonic. In this method, water is placed in a glass of the desired color. The glass is then placed in the sun. The suns rays filter through the glass and energize the water with the vibrations of the color.

Different colors have different purposes when used for healing.

Red
Red is the color for vitality, energy, creativity and power. People who favor the color red are likely to be attention getters. They are quick to react and can be over emotional.

This color can be used to loosen up an individual. It helps reduce stiffness and inhibitions. It stimulates the release of adrenalin into the system and increases hemoglobin. It is thus a good color for treating conditions like anemia and other blood related problems. It can also help people who are feeling depressed and lethargic. It is a good color to use in winter to give warmth.

However, an excess of red can be harmful. It can agitate and make an individual aggressive. While it can excite sexual passion, too much red can also lead to anger and violence. People with a heart condition or a nervous disposition should keep away from red.

Orange
This is an energizer too. When used moderately it has a gentle warming effect. Orange is a good color for treating gall stones, digestive ailments, chest and kidney diseases and arthritis. It also helps to lift the spirit of people who feel they are hemmed in, feel depressed or that their life has no purpose and direction.

Again, too much orange can lead to recklessness and agitation.

Yellow
People attracted to the color yellow generally have sunny dispositions and are good communicators. They love to talk and be social in general. People drawn to stronger shades of yellow tend to be conceited or arrogant while those that find affinity with the more pastel yellows may be timid.

Yellow is a great color for curing skin problems and digestive ailments.

Over stimulation with yellow could result in exhaustion and depression.

Blue
Is the color of truth, nobility and serenity. It has an extremely soothing, calming and cooling effect. It's a great color to combat summer heat.

Blue is a good color to calm people who are flustered or frightened. It can also help keep nightmares at bay so may be a good color for children. It helps to cool down a fever, heal burns and sooth an aching throat. It is also recommended for people suffering from shock, inflammation and nervous breakdowns.

However, people with bad circulation should keep away from blue. Excessive blue can also have a sedative effect. It can make a person passive and easily taken advantage of. It can also make you feel chilled.

Indigo
Is the color of the mysterious and profound. People drawn to the color indigo usually look beneath the surface. They are drawn to higher pursuits, maybe even the occult. Indigo stimulates the intellect and gives an individual a sense of courage and authority.

Indigo is used to purify the blood. It is good for curing problems related to the eyes, ear, and nose and for sinus. It can also help relieve varicose veins, boils and ulcers and skin disorders.

However, excessive exposure to indigo can make you sleepy and give you a headache.

Violet
The color of the creative. Legend has it that Da Vinci meditated upon violet and Beethoven had violet curtains. It is also the color of the shy.

Emotional agitation can be treated with violet. It can also help compulsive eaters to calm down their compulsive eating and bingeing.

However, violet releases excessive energy which if not channeled properly can make an individual feel quite ill. Highly unadvisable for depressed individuals.