Chromotherapy is a unique form of alternative medicine that involves the use of colors to diagnose and treat health problems. The theory has been around in one form or another for over one thousand years, but has gone through many breakthroughs since the 19th century. Today, there are complex devices that are made to help practitioners apply treatments. It is believed that the application of these colors to certain parts of the body can help negate symptoms of disease and even evoke positive responses in the body. In one sense, it is kind of like acupressure with light and colors.
In chromotherapy, each color of light is related to a certain part of the body. In this system, blue deals with the throat, green to the lung and heart, yellow to the stomach and liver, orange to the sexual organs and kidneys, red to the legs and feet, and lilac to the head. Violet is also used as a way to meditate and is used for more subtle purposes. These colors are referred to as the chakras, and are applied to their respective body zone (an area of about 5 centimeters across) via a lamp. However, there are also other meanings for the colors that do not associate with a particular body area, but rather associate with the improvement of various physiological conditions.
The color red, in this capacity, is believed to activate circulation in the body and stimulate the nervous system. Pink is thought to clean and strengthen the veins and remove impurities from your blood. Orange is used to give energy and to help get rid of body fat. Yellows are useful for tissue and skin strengthening and purification. Greens are used to clean out infections and to relax the nerves. For joints and muscles, blues are thought to help aid regeneration and lubrication. Violet is believed to relax the nervous system and the immune system. Indigo is rather unique in that it is thought to also help one psychically as well as physically.
There are several colors that also have a third meaning; they are used to help get rid of certain illnesses. Problems with indigestion or the intestines are generally treated with yellow hues, while problems with the lungs such as asthma and bronchitis are treated with orange. Blues are used to treat throat infections, sinus infections, and colds, as well as to reduce tension and to get rid of stress. Indigo is used to help the eyes, while violet is used against urinary infections.
In the realm of science, chromotherapy does receive some criticism as there aren’t many studies that provide conclusive results about its effectiveness. However, there is a field of science that is currently testing out some of the ideas from chromotherapy with success. Photobiology, as it is officially called, studies the scientific effects that colors have on human and animal cells.
In some cases, chromotherapy will be applied during a massage, or along with aromatherapy. It is generally recommended that it is used as a complementary healing technique in addition to other methods of treatment in order to maximize effectiveness.