Possible Health Benefits of Color Therapy

It is generally not disputed that light affects us. Even conventional medical practice uses light to treat certain diseases. Phototherapy is used to direct ultraviolet light to the affected area in the treatment of psoriasis and acne. Blue light is used to treat hyperbilirubinemia, a liver condition in premature babies. Light is used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

The Relationship Between Light and Melatonin

Sleep experts have known about the relationship between melatonin and light exposure for a long time. In fact, both melatonin and light are said to control the synchronization of the biological clock.

Melatonin, the chemical that is known to be important to sleep, can be controlled by light. In fact, light exposure suppresses melatonin production. This is why it's hard to sleep in a room that isn't dark.

If you are sleepy during the day, sleep experts suggest going outside and exposing yourself to large doses of sunlight during the middle of the day instead of taking a nap. This will suppress melatonin production and give you a "wakeup."

Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine also uses light in the practice of color therapy. With color therapy, there are different associations, attributes and possible benefits to each color. See TherapyColor.com for more information on this. But it is also thought that there may be medical benefits. This is how color therapy is believed to work:

A color will vibrate at a specific frequency. It is said that organs and glands of our bodies also vibrate at specific frequencies and that colors correspond to the areas of our body which have the same frequency. When we are sick, our organs and glands may become out of balance and not function at their proper frequencies. Restoring the proper frequency is thought to restore health.

Holistic Health

For those interested in holistic health, a convenient and efficient way to apply this color therapy is to wear color therapy glasses. It is believed that the color entering the eyes is directed to the hypothalamus gland, from there to the pineal gland and then to the pituitary gland, which regulates and governs hormone production. As the brain processes this information, it is believed that it causes cellular and hormonal changes. The key is that the frequency of the color may be transmitted to the area of the body which recognizes it. The frequency, or vibration, of the color is constant. The vibration can "tune" that area of the body. In other words, that area may now be restored to its proper vibration and be restored to health while the color is being used. If used regularly, the body may learn to function properly on its own, much as it will with physical therapy.

Another way to use color therapy is with a device such as the Chromalive® Color Therapy Penlight Set. With this type of device, color can be directed externally to a specific problem area of the body, for example, burns. Other methods of applying color therapy are wearing certain colored clothes, taking a color bath, using color therapy oils, using a colored lamp in a room or painting walls a specific color.

Autism in Children - Help with Color Neurologists have found that children with autism may be helped by the use of color.

Click for Help for Dyslexia with Colors There are indications that using a color filter or looking through colored glasses, particularly blue, may help dyslexics to read.

Dyskinesia and Blue Glasses with Blue Lenses Dyskinesia symptoms may be relieved by wearing blue color therapy glasses.

Following is information on how each color is used in color therapy, however more research is needed. If you choose to use color therapy to compliment medical treatment, please advise you doctor you are doing so. Also note that different states have different regulations regarding alternative medical practitioners. Please choose one that is licensed by a national organization which requires members to abide by the organization's standards.

RED has the longest length in the visible spectrum and the lowest rate of vibration. Possible benefits: Migraines Chronic pain - May lower the frequency of wave lengths causing them to be less excited and thereby reduce pain Stimulate the liver Stimulate the automatic nervous and circulatory systems Help with female disorders Act as a pustulant, drawing poisons to a head to be eliminated Increase heart strength and stimulate circulation Reduce inflammation and swelling Increase blood flow to the brain Support the building of the blood Seasickness relief Possible help or some relief for Tourettes Syndrome

ORANGE possible benefits: Depress the parathyroid gland Stimulate the lungs and thyroid gland to increase oxygen to the body Relieve cramping, cramps and convulsions in all parts of the body Reduce menstrual cramps For lactating mothers, stimulate the mammary glands resulting in increased milk production for women who breastfeed their babies Relieve digestive gas, flatulence Treat skin conditions such as boils, carbuncles and abscesses Relieve hiccups (hiccoughs) Build lungs and stimulate the respiratory system. Used to treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, Asthma, Tuberculosis

YELLOW is associated with the stomach, liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Possible benefits: Help for night blindness, It filters out blue light Increases appetite. Better assimilation of food for better nutrition Healing for all kinds of paralysis from stroke to sluggish organs. Stimulates and builds nerves Strengthened the nervous system Depress the spleen and the parathyroid gland and stimulate the lymphatic glands Strengthened heart resulting in better circulation Destruction of body worms Improved rheumatoid arthritis, neuritis and similar conditions because yellow may help eliminate calcium and lime deposits

GREEN is the master color, associated with the pituitary which is the master gland. Overall wellbeing and chronic or acute issues Stimulate the brain Stimulate the digestive system Use green along with turquoise for the treatment of burns Healing of sores, bruises and cuts Infections Dissolving blood clots Promote the release of mucus/phlegm Tremors, twitching, shaking

AQUA possible benefits: Irritations, itching and inflammation of the skin Rebuild the skin when damaged by burns, scratches, infections or sores. Relieve pain from burns. Help with scaring Remove muscle fatigue toxins from the body. Relieve aches and pains Fever Harmonize all circulation processes A mild sedative with no side effects Dyslexia. Read more about dyslexia and color Headaches relief Macular degeneration. Reported to improve vision and relieve stress on the eyes

BLUE is associated with the thyroid, parathyroid, throat, mouth and lungs. Blue is associated with the throat, thyroid, parathyroid, lungs and mouth Acts as a bactericide. Useful in the treatment of acne and other skin disorders Relax and calm muscles Shrink tumors, get rid of goiters, and warts Weight loss Sleep disorders since blue has a peaceful effect Slightly stronger than turquoise for the relief of burns and fevers Relieve itching, skin irritations and inflammations Goiters Fever Rebuild the skin when damaged by burns, scratches, infections or sores Pain from burns Dyslexia. Read more about dyslexia and color Tardive Dyskinesia. Read more about tardive dyskinesia and blue.

INDIGO may depress the thyroid while stimulating the parathyroid at the same time. Possible benefits: Ear, eye, sinus, throat and nasal problems An alternative antibiotic which may be more powerful than prescription antibiotics with no side effects An analgesic. Reduce swelling relieving the associated pain Stops hemorrhages and nose bleeds A strong sedative resulting in a deep sleep. Upon awakening, you will feel rested, refreshed and alert Acts as an astringent, tightening, toning and firming the skin

VIOLET possible benefits. Stimulate hormonal activity. Use it on the throat to stimulate the thyroid Overall immune enhancer Depress any over active part of the body, except the spleen and parathyroid For over excitable people, may relax and calm the nerves Cardiac depressant, relaxing the muscles and nerves controlling the heart Stimulate the spleen, helping it build white corpuscles. The spleen is the final checkpoint for the blood before it returns to the heart. It cleanses the blood of poison or any undesirable cells. Violet may act as an antibiotic, helping to destroy harmful organisms Relieve dysentery and diarrhea Depress the appetite Deep, restful sleep

MAGENTA possible benefits: Stimulate or depress arteries or veins to bring them to normal Stimulate and build the heart Bring blood pressure within normal range, whether up or down Stimulate or depress adrenal glands and kidneys to bring them to normal Strengthen reproductive organs

BAKER-MILLER PINK possible benefits: Calming aggression Stress relief Relaxation Appetite suppressant Read more about Baker-Miller Pink

Read about the history of color therapy.