Related Terms

• Acu-light, acu-light therapy, chromopressure, chromotherapy, color theory, colored filters, colored light therapy, colored overlays, colorpuncture, Dinshah Ghadiali, holographic memory resolution, light-color therapy, Luscher Color Test™, ocular light therapy, Peter Mandel's Esogetic Colorpuncture Therapy (ECT)™, photochromotherapy.

• Not included in this review: Light therapy (phototherapy or conventional ultraviolet light phototherapy) is used to treat high bilirubin blood levels in infants and skin disorders such as acne or psoriasis. Light therapy is used to treat seasonal affective disorder.

Background

• Color therapy uses colors for their proposed healing abilities to treat emotional and physical disturbances. Changing the colors of clothes or home or office décor or visualizing different colors may be recommended. Color therapy is based on the idea that different colors evoke different responses in people. For example, some colors are considered to be stimulating, whereas others may be soothing. Some color therapists assert that they can read and alter the colors of people's auras. In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, different colors are associated with different chakras, or energy centers.

• Color, light, or phototherapy using single or mixed colors, sometimes from a laser, may be shined on the whole body or on particular chakras. The Luscher Color Test™ is said to indicate mood and personality. Silks colored with natural dyes, solarized water, color cards, or a light box or lamp with colored filters may be included as part of treatment. In addition, meditation and breathing exercises may be performed during color therapy.

• Ocular light therapy, which projects light through colored filters and into the eyes, is sometimes used in people with psychological disorders. Colored light therapy, colorpuncture, and chromopressure are newer techniques.

• Scientific evidence is lacking for color therapy. Although color therapy has been suggested for many conditions, and it has been used in some hospitals, its safety and effectiveness have not been thoroughly studied.

Theory

• In the early 20th Century, Dinshah Ghadiali, MD, PhD, used a system of color therapy to irradiate acupuncture points with colored light. Some early research done in Russia indicates that light may be conducted within the body along the acupuncture meridians.

Scientific Evidence

Tradition/Theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious and should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional.

• Academic performance, aggressive behavior, asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bronchitis, chronic illness (coping with the monotony of chronic disease hospitals) cognitive enhancement, dyslexia (and other reading disabilities), enhanced athletic performance, epilepsy, fatigue, hyperpigmentation, increased strength, inflammatory dermatoses (a skin condition), insomnia, learning disabilities, lung cancer, metabolic disorders (enzyme stimulation), migraine, muscle relaxation, nerve pain (due to lack of blood flow), neuroprotective, prison reform, seasonal affective disorder, sedation, stress, tension, uterine fibroids, vision problems, well-being.

Safety

Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

• Color therapy appears to be well tolerated in most individuals, although safety has not been thoroughly tested. Exposure to bright light may cause eye injury, such as retinopathy. Strobe lights may cause seizures in susceptible individuals.

• There is not enough evidence to support the safety of color therapy during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Author Information

• This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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