The Power of Color
By Jennifer Carter Avgerinos
Color can be a powerful thing for invoking memory or changing mood. Think about all of the vivid colors around us in nature this summer – the vibrant reds of roses or the brilliant green of freshly cut grass. Color can soothe the senses and have a healing effect on the body. Color therapy, also known as Chromotherapy, is the principle that certain colors are infused with healing powers. The seven colors of the rainbow improve balance and healing in the mind and body. This form of therapy also works in conjunction with Hydrotherapy (water) and Aromatherapy (scent) to enhance the healing effect. Color plays a significant role in how people respond to time spent in a particular space. For example, the coloring of walls and fabrics for a space affect a person’s response to that room. Often, this response to color directly correlates with a person’s comfort and well-being.
In the limited research available, Chromotherapy studies have shown that color can actually help heal the body. In a 2011 article published in Discover Magazine, it looks like color therapy might be useful in the fight against diabetes for example. According to the study out of Zurich, Switzerland, burst of blue light may be helpful to trigger a genetic response to make more insulin.
The Code of Color
- Red raises blood temperature and stimulates circulation. Red is used to care for people with anemia, fatigue, paralysis and exhaustion.
- Blue is soothing. It is used for cases of inflammatory conditions, burns, and bruises. It also helps with eczema, psoriasis, rashes and sores. In addition, blue helps alleviate tension, stress and problems with the immune system. It is believed to relieve insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure, migraines and skin irritation.
- Yellow is used to aid in digestion and liver function. Yellow is thought to have decongestant and antibacterial properties that act as a cleanser for the body. It has been known to help relieve rheumatism and arthritis.
- Green creates balance and harmony within the body. It is especially good for heart and blood problems. It is known to influence the human cell structure and muscles.
- Orange gives vitality to the body and is associated with the kidneys, urinary tract, and reproductive organs.
- Purple is associated with the eyes, ears, nose and mouth. It helps with head congestion and sinuses and is known to calm the nervous system.
At times color therapy has been known to generate an overwhelming emotional response in individuals. It is important to refrain from overdoing spaces with too much color. Whether color is used to encourage healing or to enhance use of a space, color therapy can be exceptionally powerful.
About the author: Jennifer Carter Avgerinos is the author of The Yoga of Cleaning, and is also a Senior Brand Manager at Unger. For more information about Unger and Unger cleaning tools, visit www.neat-home.com.