Colour Therapy

Colour Therapy has a history dating back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptian and Greek civilisations. Temples of colour and light were built specifically for healing purposes and Greek physicians developed charts that related colours to behaviour and symptoms of disease. Colour Therapy is also an integral part of Indian Ayurvedic medicine and the Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophies associate a colour to each of the body's organs.

Colour Therapy had a resurgence of popularity in the 19th century when American physician Edwin Babbit recommended healing techniques using colour. Babbit's book titled "The Principles of Light and Colour" prescribed different colours for treatment and he created a device called the Chromo Disk to localise coloured light onto the body. Babbit's research into Colour Therapy also identified a link between colours and minerals and colour filtered tinctures were added to his coloured light treatment.

In the early 20th century, Indian scientist Dinshah Ghadiali introduced a system of healing using coloured lights called Spectro-Chrome. Ghadiali proposed that disease could be treated in the body by exposing specific areas to coloured light. He published an encyclopaedia on the system in 1933 which is the foundation of modern colour therapy.

The basic theory of Colour Therapy associates specific colours to the seven spiritual centres in the body known as chakras. Each chakra is an energy point and has a related organ or system in the body. Where there is an imbalance of energy in the chakra then physical, mental or emotional problems can occur. The chakra points are listed below:

• The 1st Chakra
Located at the base of the spine and is associated with the colour red. It relates to the kidneys, bladder, adrenal gland and our sense of self-awareness.

• The 2nd Chakra
 Orange and located at the lower abdomen. This chakra relates to the uterus, large bowel, prostate, ovaries and testes and affects self-respect and creativity.

• The 3rd Chakra
 Yellow and just below the ribs. It relates to the liver, spleen, stomach and small intestine and our sense of self-worth.

• The 4th Chakra
 Green and located at the heart. It relates to the heart and breasts and the thymus gland. This chakra controls love and self-love.

• The 5th Chakra
 Blue and located at the throat. This chakra relates to the throat, lungs and upper digestive tract and a person's self-expression.

• The 6th Chakra
 Indigo and at the centre of the forehead (often referred to as the third eye). This chakra relates to the eyes, lower head and sinuses and our sense of self-responsibility.

• The 7th Chakra
 Violet and at the top of the head. It relates to the brain and our sense of knowledge and spiritual awareness.


By introducing colour to the specific chakra that has an imbalance, a person's health and well-being can be restored. Colour can be introduced through light, meditation, clothing, food, colour filtered water or breathing techniques.

Be prepared - It is advisable to choose a colour therapist who is a member of, or is accredited by, an association or professional body. This ensures your Colour Therapy session is carried out in a suitable environment and by someone who has received formal training and ongoing development. Members are also bound to a code of ethics and practice. The main Colour Therapy organisations are listed at the foot of this article. On finding a colour therapist, ask about their expertise and testimonials from previous clients.

Before your appointment, spend time thinking about your condition and what you expect to achieve with Colour Therapy. Make some notes before you attend about your expectations and concerns. If you have a few conditions, put them in order so the Colour Therapy practitioner can address the most severe first. Secondary problems can then be addressed further down the line.


What to expect - Your Colour Therapy session will take place in a warm and relaxing environment and you will usually be sat in a comfortable chair. The colour therapist will then take a full medical history and ask about your lifestyle, diet, sleep patterns and general health. Once a diagnosis of your problem has been made, the therapist will discuss your course of treatment.

The colour therapist may ask you to put on a coloured robe or use coloured silks to direct colour to areas of the skin. You will not necessarily need to undress to do this but direct contact with the skin will give better results. The therapist may also ask about your colour preferences or get you to choose a selection of coloured cards. This choice can often reflect your physical and emotional state.

If your Colour Therapy session involves using light, the colour therapist will use a light box with a filter of the required colour to direct light onto the body. Meditation and breathing exercises can also be used during your session and the therapist will guide you on how to do this. The process usually involves you focusing the mind on an object, image or sound. Colour breathing is an exercise that requires you to concentrate on your breathing with each breath representing one of the chakra colours.

Colour Therapy can also use solarised water. This is water that has been exposed to sunlight while in a coloured container. When exposed to the light, the water absorbs the energy of that colour and can be sipped as a drink or used for bathing. If this is not used in your session, the colour therapist will advise you on how to make the water at home.

After your session, the therapist may suggest eating foods of a specific colour or wearing coloured clothing. For people who suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the therapist will recommend a light box for use at home.

Colour Therapy appointments typically last an hour but your first session may last a little longer as your therapist assesses your problem. Expect follow-up appointments to be 45 - 60 minutes long.

Colour Therapy costs vary but as a guide expect to pay £30-£50 for a session depending on your location and practitioner's overheads. It is advisable to check these costs before making an appointment.

Expect to attend an average of 4-6 sessions with your colour therapist. This should be sufficient time to see the impact of the treatment and make adjustments should they be required. Some people have problems that are more complex and require further sessions but this will be discussed during your treatment.

Colour Therapy is a safe and non-invasive therapy and suitable for people of all ages. People suffering from Epilepsy should make their therapist aware of their condition as the use of lights may provoke a reaction.

Consult with your GP and colour therapist about any problems or concerns you have as they are trained to recognise what can and cannot be treated with Colour Therapy.