Color Therapy
Color is a radiant energy, which is visible. It appears as different colours due to the presence of photoreceptors called "cones" in our eye. There are 3 kinds of cones: one for blue, one for green, and one for red. A combination of these colors leads to the perception of other colours. When the light rays enter our bodies, they stimulate various endocrine glands especially, the pituitary and pineal glands causing a variety of physiological processes.
This concept of colours affecting your body is a part of the ancient Chinese technique "Feng Shui".
Blue:
It lowers the blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. It also has a cooling effect. Blue light has a positive effect on cognition, reaction and alertness [1]. Additionally, it is useful for phototherapy in dermatological diseases like psoriasis, showing better improvement in the erythrema [2]. It is also useful for providing phototherapy to neonates in cases of neonatal jaundice as bilirubin absorbs light mainly in the blue range of the spectrum (~460 nm) [3].
Green:
It also has a soothing and relaxing effect (like blue colour) on the body as well as the mind. It alleviates the mood in depressed and ill patients.
Red:
It increases the heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. It stimulates and warms the body. It is useful for anemic patients and patients with hypotension.
Pink:
It relaxes the muscles and acts as a tranquilizer.
Orange:
It increases the appetite and decreases tiredness.
Yellow:
It has an energizing effect just like sunshine. Anything written on yellow paper is easier to remember.
Black:
It increases self-confidence. However, it also decreases the appetite.
Violet:
It suppresses the appetite. It is useful for treatment of migraine headaches.
1. Silvani MI, Werder R, Perret C. The influence of blue light on sleep, performance and wellbeing in young adults: A systematic review. Front Physiol. 2022 Aug 16;13:943108. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.943108. PMID: 36051910; PMCID: PMC9424753.
2. Kleinpenning MM, Otero ME, van Erp PE, Gerritsen MJ, van de Kerkhof PC. Efficacy of blue light vs. red light in the treatment of psoriasis: a double-blind, randomized comparative study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012 Feb;26(2):219-25. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2011.04039.x. Epub 2011 Mar 24. PMID: 21435024.
3. Wang J, Guo G, Li A, Cai WQ, Wang X. Challenges of phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (Review). Exp Ther Med. 2021 Mar;21(3):231. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.9662. Epub 2021 Jan 20. PMID: 33613704; PMCID: PMC7859475.