Chromotherapy - Can You Heal with Light and Colour?

Chromotherapy also known as colour therapy is a healing modality dating back thousands of years from the ancient cultures of India, China and Egypt that used coloured lights as a therapeutic tool to balance energy, heal the body and create a sense of physical, mental and emotional well-being. Nowadays it is still popular and is often associated with conventional medicine.

The belief behind it is that each colour of light has a specific vibration and frequency that resonates with our body energy chakras and can affect our emotional and physical states. Each colour has a specific wavelength and energetic quality. 

Which colour do you need?

Chromotherapy is a perfect blend of ancient traditions with modern practices that uses light to heal. While more scientific research is needed to fully support its therapeutic effects many people report having positive benefits and often are used in combination with conventional medicine.

• Light therapy devices: LED lamps are common home treatments. In various studies red light has been shown to have skin rejuvenating effects enhancing collagen production, whilst blue light is used to treat SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and sleep as well as wound healing and acne treatment.
• Saunas: Infrared saunas often have this feature added to help amplify the detox and cleansing process during the session.
• Meditative spaces: often have them to enhance meditation and relaxation.
• Colour visualisation techniques: therapists use them as a form of mental chromotherapy to support healing. 

Red light is linked to the root chakra located at the base of the spine which controls our feeling of grounding, stability and security. Red light is associated with energy, stimulation and warmth. It stimulates circulation, vitality and increases energy helping combat fatigue.

Benefits:

• Improved circulation: blood flow will increase helping with cold hands and feet and muscle stiffness.
• Increase energy and vitality: red light combats fatigue and gives a sense of warmth and energy throughout the body.
• Healing wounds: some studies have found that it can reduce inflammation and accelerate wound healing.

Orange is linked to the sacral chakra governing creativity, emotion, expression and pleasure. The light is a mix of physical energy of red and happiness of yellow and believed to help balance emotions and be more spontaneous and playful.

Benefits:

• Mood: orange is said to help with feelings of depression, sadness and encouraging positivity.
• Digestion: has been proved helpful for cramps and constipation and aiding in digestive health.
• Creativity: beneficial for those wanting to enhance their creative power. 

Yellow is linked to the solar plexus chakra governing all things related to self-confidence, clarity and focus stimulating the mind, increasing mental alertness and overall sense of wellbeing.

Benefits:

• Concentration: boosts your cognitive ability, improving focus and mental sharpness.
• Digestive Health: helps with Digestion by stimulating the liver, pancreas and the digestive system.
• Mood: reduces anxiety and promotes optimism. 

Green is linked to the heart chakra associated with love, compassion and emotional stability. Green light is the light of nature, balance, harmony and is used to promote relaxation and alleviate stress.

Benefits:

• Stress reduction: helps with anxiety, nervousness and tension.
• Balance: it balances emotions and enhances inner peace.
• Pain Relief: some use it to alleviate headaches or muscle pain. 

Blue is linked to the throat chakra and governs self expression and communication. Blue light has a cooling effect on the body and is often use to alleviate physical and emotional discomfort. It is associated with tranquility, calmness and relaxation.

Benefits:

• Anti-Inflammatory: the cooling effect reduces swelling and inflammation in the body.
• Sleep: it may help regulate circadian rhythms leading to better sleep.
• Relaxation: it promotes relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety.

Indigo is linked to the third-eye chakra and governs intuition, spirituality and wisdom. It is often used to deepen meditation practices.

Benefits:

• Meditation: it enhances meditation with its calming effect leading to a higher state of consciousness.
• Sinuses: it is believed to purify and clear sinuses.
• Emotions: helps address emotional imbalances and create a sense of tranquility. 

Violet is linked to the crown chakra and governs inspiration, transformation and spiritual connectivity. This colour is used to feel at peace and promote spirituality.

Benefits:

• Mindfulness: helps in meditative practices to facilitate connection to one’s spiritual self.
• Headache relief: migraines and headaches be gone!
• Problem Solving: may inspire new ideas and insights.