Color therapy

Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine by Paula Ford-Martin

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Preparations

Before administering any treatment, practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine will perform a thorough examination of and interview with the patient to determine his prakriti, or constitution. In Ayurveda, an individual's prakriti is determined at conception and remains unchanged during his lifetime.

Treatment colors will be chosen based on the prakriti and the individual's specific imbalance of doshas, or energies. There are three doshas--vata, pitta, and kapha--that correspond to a person's temperament and body type. Most are a combination of the three (tridosha) with one predominating.

In some cases, holistic providers may take a photographic image of the patient's aura, or individual energy field, using a special camera that reads electrical impulses from the patient's hands. The camera produces an image of the patient with bands of color(s) around the body. The colors are then analyzed to determine the patient's unique aura energy pattern, and to decide what type of color therapy would be complementary to that aura.

Precautions

While color therapy may be an effective treatment for promoting relaxation and overall well-being, and as an adjunct, or complementary therapy in treating some disorders and illnesses, individuals with serious chronic or acute health problems should not rely solely on the therapy for treatment. Anyone with a chronic or acute health concern should seek the advice of a qualified medical practitioner.

Side effects

There are no known side effects to common practices of color therapy.

Research & general acceptance

Ayurvedic medicine has been a firmly entrenched practice of medicine in India for thousands of years. However, it is largely regarded as a complementary practice in the United States, although its popularity has grown in recent years as Ayurvedic spas and medical practices have grown in number. The benefits of color therapy have not been researched extensively and it is still considered a fringe therapy by the allopathic medical community.

Training & certification

Individuals practicing as color therapists and/or practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine do not require special certification or licensing.

Key Terms

Aromatherapy

The therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical and psychological well-being.

Hydrotherapy

Water therapy; the use of water (hot, cold, steam, or ice) to relieve discomfort and promote physical well-being.

Yoga

An Indian philosophical and health movement that strives to achieve balance through relaxation, meditation, breathing exercises, and body movements.

Further Reading

For Your Information

Books

• Klotsche, Charles. Color Medicine: The secrets of color/vibrational healing. Sedona, AZ: Light Technology Publishing.
• Lad, Vasant. The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1998.

Periodicals

• Sandroff, Ronni. "Color Me Healthy." Vegetarian Times (June 1999): 46-48.

Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Gale Group, 2001.