+ Color Therapy |
By Brigitte Mars
Being in nature and basking in the blue sky, turquoise water and shimmering greens can affect moods and health. We can select clothing to invoke moods, or decorate with paint, pillows, tapestries and colored lights. Plants and flowers can bring calming green energy, as well as the cheerful rainbow hues. One can visualize or meditate on helpful colors or send color with prayer to someone in need. Color puncture is a treatment from Germany , available locally, where colored beams of light are projected into various acupuncture points. For optimum health eat a wide range of colors. Red is the most physical of the colors Red is stimulating, hot (yang), and exciting. Red is associated with vitality, strength, passion and willpower. It helps one feel present and grounded. Red helps people overcome inertia, fear, and loneliness. It can be used to treat anemia, colds, low blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, weakness and depression. Use red when feeling run down, to improve athletic performance, and when quick energy bursts are required. When red is present in food, it often denotes ripeness, sweetness and the presence of lycopenes, and vitamin C. Red foods include red apples, beets, cherries, cranberries, red currants, radish, raspberries, kidney beans, red cabbage, red currants, red pepper, red plum, rhubarb, strawberry, tomatoes, watermelon and whole wheat. Red herbs include cayenne, hibiscus, and rose. Wear a red hat, socks or gloves when needing to feel warmer.
Orange is associated with the sexual center, skin, kidneys, pancreas, spleen and bronchial tubes. Use orange to help relieve asthma, bronchitis, constipation, diarrhea, gas, hemorrhoids, and hypoglycemia. Beta-carotene is often found in orange plants. Orange foods include almonds, apricots, winter squash, carrots, cantaloupe, dates, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, persimmons, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, tangerines, walnuts and eggs. Orange herbs are ginger, coriander, cumin and paprika. Yellow corresponds to the sun and solar plexus Yellow is warm (yang) and associated with things cheerful, joyous, optimistic, practical, confident, and illuminating. Yellow is a nerve stimulant and associated with wisdom, knowledge, logic and the mind. Yellow can help depression, fear, tension and soothe mental exhaustion. Yellow is used to treat the adrenals, gall bladder, liver, muscles, nervous system, pancreas and stomach. Illnesses that benefit from yellow are allergies, arthritis, asthma, constipation, coughs, depression, diabetes, eczema, gallstones, gas, hiatal hernia, hypothyroidism, indigestion, lymphatic congestion, motion sickness, and obesity. Yellow in food often indicates the antioxidant; lutein, magnesium, and vitamin C. Yellow foods include golden apples, bananas, cantaloupe, corn, grapefruit, honey, lemon, vegetable oils, parsnips, pineapple, whole grains, yellow dahl, nuts, yellow pepper, yams, and yellow squash. Yellow herbs include anise, chamomile, cinnamon, dill, lemongrass, saffron, evening primrose and marigold. Green corresponds to Earth, spring, fertility and hope. This is the color of the heart center, healing, balance, compassion, love, transformation, growth, generosity and peace. Green is made by combining yellow (wisdom) with blue (spirituality). Green is neither hot nor cold. Green is rejuvenating and anti-inflammatory. Calming to anger, improve memory, paranoia and nervous exhaustion. It affects the lungs, heart, thymus gland and immune system. Use green for backaches, eyestrain, heart trouble, immune disorders, lupus, allergies, head colds, shock, trauma, and to lower blood pressure. Green in plants signifies the presence of chlorophyll and includes asparagus, avocados, broccoli, celery, chives, okra, cucumber, green beans, green grapes, green peppers, green leafy vegetables, kiwi, lettuce, lime, parsley, peas, zucchini, and wheat grass. Rosemary, parsley, comfrey, nettles, alfalfa, tarragon, oregano, and mint are green hued. Blue, is a symbol of truth, the color of sky and water. Blue is associated with spirituality, serenity, truth, communication, revelation, trust and faith. Blue is cool (yin), crisp, clean and refreshing. Its effect is calming and instills gentleness and composure. Blue can be used to counteract violence, restlessness, agitation, hyperactivity, violence and insomnia. Blue causes the brain to secrete tranquilizing chemicals. Blue is associated with the throat center. Blue can be used to lower high blood pressure, pulse, brain waves and quiet menstrual cramps. Use blue to cool a fever, sore throat, ear infection, toothaches, bee stings, hyperthyroid, colic, burns, itches and rashes. Blue is a counterirritant and it is the color of choice for pain and suffering. It is uses in hospital' s neonatal wards to facilitate the breakdown of bilirubin in jaundiced babies. Blue foods often contain flavonoids and includes blackcurrants, blue grapes, blueberry, blue corn, boysenberry, black soybeans, grapes, plums, blue potatoes, prunes and raisins. Herbs that carry the blue ray are borage flowers, chicory flowers, hyssop, catnip, kelp, juniper berries, and pansy. Indigo is, a regal dark blue-violet. Indigo is associated with the third eye (brow), our center of psychic awareness and intuition. Indigo is cool (yin), and calming. Indigo can help balance fear, frustration and negative emotions. It is associated with memory, intuition, and meditation. The indigo ray is soothing, antiseptic, helps one to be less aware of pain yet fully conscious. Use for pain, poor motor skills, posture, menstrual irregularities, hair loss, eye and ear disorders. Vitamin K is associated with indigo. Indigo foods are blue foods with black overtones and include black soybeans, black beans, soy sauce, black olives, blackberries, boysenberries, black cherries, plums, raisins, and currants. Vanilla bean and violet are indigo herbs. Violet contains the blue and red rays. Violet has the highest vibration and correlates to the crown of the head, center of cosmic consciousness. With violet we can be more open to divine power, and transcend natural laws. Violet has the shortest wavelength and has the fastest vibration. It is cooling (yin), cleansing, antiseptic, soothing and narcotic. Violet is considered regal, dignified and exclusive. It symbolizes creative imagination and spiritual attainment. It corresponds to psychic protection, artistry and mystery. Violet can be used to curb excess hunger and to soothe serious mental conditions. It has been used in psychiatric care. Violet helps normalize hormonal activity. Violet can help curb appetite and regulate metabolism. Violet is said to be more sexually stimulating to women. Use violet to treat migraines, epilepsy, parasites, dandruff, and baldness and to relieve the side effects of chemotherapy. Vitamin D correlates to violet. Violet foods include amaranth, eggplant, dulse, purple grapes, raisins, passion fruit plums, prunes, mulberry, purple cabbage, purple onions, and elderberry. Herbs associated with violet include basil, heather, lavender, marjoram, mints, passionflower, rosemary, thyme and sage. Bring color into your life as another way to consciously invite health, beauty and radiance. |
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Orange is the blending of red (physical action) with yellow (wisdom). Orange can lift spirits, foster humor and loosen repression. Orange symbolizes enthusiasm, outgoingness, optimism, confidence, and joyfulness.