Color Therapy
What
are the healing effects of color?
By Cathy Wong,
About.com(About.com Health's
Disease
and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board)
According to color therapy, colors are capable of influencing
many aspects of our lives, including our mood, mental state and energy level.
Each color is thought to be associated with one of seven energy centers, or
chakras, in ayurveda. If a
person's chakra is thought to be out of balance or weak, the color it's
associated with is believed to help strengthen it.
·Red Red is thought to be linked to the base chakra and the spine, hips and legs.
It's thought to stimulate and boost physical energy, strengthen willpower,
increase circulation, clear congestion and is linked with sexuality. Too much
red may overstimulate and possibly promote anger or aggressiveness.
·Orange Orange is thought to encourage joy, socializing and optimism, which is why it's
considered useful for depression or sadness. Orange is associated with the
sacral chakra and it's believed to benefit the kidneys, urinary tract and the
reproductive organs. Too much orange is thought to lead to tiredness, pessimism
and confusion.
·Yellow Yellow is associated with the solar plexus chakra. An imbalance in the solar
plexus chakra is thought to promote fear, apprehension, confusion, lack of
determination, introversion or power issues, which this color is believed to
balance. Yellow is associated with the intellect and mental processes and is
uplifting. The solar plexus chakra is also thought to influence the digestive
system. Too much yellow is believed to lead to poor concentration and
hyperactivity.
·Green Green is a color that's thought to encourage emotional stability, purity and
calmness. It's related to the heart chakra, so it's believed to help with
emotional issues, such as love, forgiveness, trust and compassion. An imbalance
in the heart chakra is associated with fear of relationships, mistrust,
jealousy, isolation and insecurity.
·Blue Blue is related to the throat chakra and is said to be connected to the throat
and lungs. It's thought to enhance verbal expression and communication,
artistic expression and willpower. It's a calming color and is believed to help
insomnia, anxiety, throat problems, high blood pressure, migraine and skin
irritation.
·Indigo Indigo is associated with
the third eye chakra, located between the eyes, and is related to the eyes and
the lower part of the head. It's said to encourage greater intuition and
strengthen the lymph system, immune system and help purify and cleanse the
body.
·Purple
or Violet Purple, or violet, is associated with the crown chakra, which is at the top of
the head. It's thought to encourage spirituality, intuition, wisdom, mastery
and mental strength and focus. Too much purple is thought to promote pride and
arrogance.
Note:
This information should be used for education only and should not be used to
diagnose or treat disease. There is no evidence that color therapy can be used
to treat, alone or in conjunction with standard therapy, any condition or
disease. If you have any symptoms, please see your primary care provider.
