Chromotherapy – Healing by Color
Chromotherapy is a form of healing based on the principle that all illness is manifested in a disturbed energy field (giving off light), and by the proper application of color to this energy field, a correction can be achieved, and with that correction comes healing.
Experienced and well trained chromotherapists use both color and light to balance the energy fields, and claim to effect a reversal of negative reactions manifesting in our composite physical, mental, and spiritual make up.
Although not yet proven by the modern scientific method, the chromotherapists believe that their methods are indeed scientific, and instruments to verify the results are not yet manifest. Furthermore, chromotherapists adhere to the belief that colors do indeed bring about identifiable emotional reactions in people.
The treatment in chromotherapy is in the application of color and light to specific areas on the body. The therapists believe that colors have both positive and negative effects on the body’s energy fields; with some specific colors in specified doses can effect the actual healing.
The therapists use a whole range of color carriers and emitters such as gemstones, fabrics, prisms, light wands, and colored water in baths.
Here is a quick and easy guide, based on chromotherapists guidelines, as to the meaning of specific colors and their role in healing:
Red
Red is the color of life, associated with the sun and of fire. Red increases the heart beat (pulse), raises blood pressure and the rate of breathing. Red would be used to assist all circulatory functions and is used with confidence to fight anemia, asthma, diseases of the throat, chronic coughs, and other related illnesses. A person who emits an excess of red could be very dominating, cruel, perpetually angry and anxious.
Orange
Orange is the color representing both empathy and sympathy. Chromotherapists claim remarkable results in the use of orange to treat mental illnesses of depression and pessimism. Orange is also used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, appetite loss, and other diseases of the circulatory and digestive systems. A person emitting an excess of orange is often confused, tired and pessimistic.
Yellow
Yellow represents the sun. As the brightest of the colors that are commonly used in color therapy, it reflects light in all directions, and gives the feelings of detachment and liberation. Yellow cancels out feelings of heaviness or oppression. Yellow is also employed to treat diseases of the glands or the lymphatic system. It strengthens the nervous and immune systems. A person emitting an excess of yellow is often confused and is both malicious and devious.
Green
As green gives off a gentle harmonizing effect, it is the color associated with calm and peaceful feelings. Green therefore is the color associated with concentration. Green is used in the treatment of bronchitis, all manners of cough, arthritis, rheumatism, and edema. It is also believed that green has a positive influence on the treatments of all manners of cysts, diseases of the eye, and diabetes. Green further is said to promote the glandular processes, promote relaxation of the organs and stimulate general detoxification of the body. A person emitting an excess of green is lethargic, insecure and jealous.
Blue
Blue is universally the color of both peace and the unknown. Blue is said to have the power of putting our bodies and mind is a state of peace and rest. Thus blue is used for relieving headaches, stomach aches and muscle cramps. Blue is also used to treat the liver. Generally, blue is used against any form of pain. A person emitting an excess of blue is usually doubtful, distrustful, anxious and melancholic.
Indigo
Indigo has a cooling color effect that assists in one’s intuitive powers. Indigo is effective in the ailments of the ear, nose, throat, and mind. Due to its calming and cooling effect, indigo is effective in cases of addiction. It is also said to help stop bleeding and to help open wounds close. A person emitting an excess of indigo is often violent, irrational and a slave to his or her habits.
Violet
Violet is universally considered the spiritual color, and thus the color associated with meditation. Violet is used as an aid in acupuncture. Violet is further employed in the treatment of the lymphatic system and spleen. As violet also has a generally calming effect, it is used when a person is overly distraught and high-strung. A person emitting an excess of violet is often fanatical.
The fact that color is light, the essence of life and we see and react to it before anything else, is the basis of chromotherapy. It is a fascinating subject which will be the continually debated and researched in the alternative health community.
About the author:
Sara Tarkovsky earned a degree is psychology and specializes in financial and health writing. She has written in excess of 1,000 articles and provided content for over 100 websites.
Book Review
Plant Spirit Healing: A Guide to Working with Plant Consciousness
By Pam Montgomery
A hands-on approach to working with the healing powers of plant spirits
Explores the scientific basis underlying the practices of indigenous healers and shamans
Illuminates the matrix where plant intelligence and human intelligence join
Reveals that partnering with plants is an evolutionary imperative
Indigenous healers and shamans have known since antiquity that plants possess a spirit essence that can communicate through light, sound, and vibration. Now scientific studies are verifying this understanding. Plant Spirit Healing reveals the power of plant spirits to join with human intelligence to bring about profound healing. These spirits take us beyond mere symptomatic treatment to aligning us with the vast web of nature. Plants are more than their chemical constituents. They are intelligent beings that have the capacity to raise consciousness to a level where true healing can take place.
In this book, herbalist Pam Montgomery offers an understanding of the origins of disease and the therapeutic use of plant spirits to bring balance and healing. She offers a process engaging heart, soul, and spirit that she calls the triple spiral path. In our modern existence, we are increasingly challenged with broken hearts, souls in exile, and malnourished spirits. By working through the heart, we connect with the soul and gain access to spirit. She explains that the evolution of plants has always preceded their animal counterparts and that plant spirits offer a guide to our spiritual evolution--a stage of growth imperative not only for the healing of humans but also the healing of the earth.
Book Summary from www.amazon.com
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Pam Montgomery received training from Empire State College in Alternative Health Education. She is the originator of Green Terrestrial Herbal Products of Vermont and was one of the founding members of the Northeast Herbal Association where she served as their president for four years. Pam is an herbal and plant spirit healing practitioner who offers consultations and treatments from her home at Sweetwater Sanctuary in Danby, Vermont.
Motivational Tips
Exercise of the Month
Exercise Description:
Standing Rotations
Area Targeted:Core
Instructions:
1. Position feet shoulder width apart with knees slightly bent.
2. Go into start position by extending arms forward at shoulder level. Hips and shoulders should be squared.
3. Rotate hips approximately 65° (or slightly past midway between the hip and naval).
4. Return to start position. Switch sides after prescribed number of reps.
5. Remember to rotate shoulders and hips and not just the arms. To ensure this movement, let head follow arms during rotation.
To increase the intensity of the exercise add resistance to the upper body. To add resistance to the upper body you can place a weight, such as a dumbbell or medicine ball, in the hands as shown in the picture above.
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Student Profile
Harmony Marceau NC
Harmony is a recent graduate of GCNM’s Nutritional Consultant Program. She has been gracious enough to share not only some of her experiences with GCNM, but also to give us a little background into what lead her to GCNM’s Nutritional Consultant Program.
Her parents positively influenced on her eating habits early in her life. Unlike many of her schoolmates, she was sent to school with lunches that consisted of dark, whole grain breads with sprouts and avocado. As more responsibility was shifted her way, she became the family chef and began experimenting and making inventive and creative meals for the family. Her love for cooking continued to blossom through college and her years living in France and Japan.
It was during her college years, when she began to eat more “college-type” foods, such as pizza, sweets, and other processed foods, that she personally experienced how much of an impact diet can have on ones health. Harmony stated, "I had a horrible reaction. I actually went through a period of one year of waking up 90% of the time with a debilitating headache, the shakes and other physical symptoms. I went through psychological evaluation, a cat scan, everything. It took almost a year for anyone to even think it may be related to diet, when they finally gave me a glucose tolerance test. I was critically hypoglycemic. I have controlled this ever since with varied success through diet, and throughout the NC course was able to tailor more foods and herbs that have given me amazing success. I can't even remember the last time my blood sugar crashed".
Harmony’s move to New York in 2000 led her to the chance to audition for the Food Network’s show, “The Next Food Network Star”, where she was chosen from 10,000 applicants to be on the show. Her confidence and drive to pursue a career in the food and cooking industry were amplified.
Today, with her Greek fiancée, Harmony is able to spend some time in Greece being surrounded by the Mediterranean flavors and history. She enjoys experiencing how the Greek culture uses foods and herbs and simple home remedies. She stated, “I love learning these things, and then being able to pass them on”.
Q. What drew you to the Nutritional Consultant (NC) Program?
A. I was beginning to do a lot of food-based writing, and more and more was focusing on nutritional aspects of food/ingredients/vitamins. I realized that my words were based on my opinion and passion and that I had no education, but my own erudition. I decided that if I were to keep writing about these topics, I should really have some credentials and education to back it up. I was about to embark on a 2 month hiatus in Paris, where I was researching food philosophy, but would have a lot of free time, thus the NC program from GCNM was a perfect fit. I could bring it with me and study at my own pace. In hindsight, Paris is not exactly the BEST place to be studying nutrition, but none the less I was riveted from the beginning. Another reason I was drawn to the program was the idea of healing from the inside out. Since I was born at home, and have been lucky since, I have only been to the hospital a few times. Even in routine visits to the doctor, I was almost always disappointed in the lack of communication and swift prescription of antibiotics and other medication. I have been lucky enough since to find integrative MD's and a gynecologist that I feel comfortable going to for appropriate causes.
Q. What expectations did you have for the NC Program?
A. I have to say that I felt like I knew so much about nutrition, until I began my studies, and found that I was just at the tip of the ice burg. My expectations were to learn how to heal many common ailments without the use of drugs or medication, to learn how to help people regain their health, and to find ways to create a healthy life style using mind and body.
Q. Did the NC Program meet those expectations?
A. Beyond!
Q. What was your experience with the subjects covered in the NC Program?
A. From the first lesson with Dr. Weil I was hooked! I couldn't believe all of the information I was absorbing. I loved the Anatomy and Physiology coloring book paired with the text. It really gave an excellent foundation to begin with. Throughout the modules, I really enjoyed each part and how it built on the past subjects. The supplemental readings were also excellent. Patrick Holford's Optimum Nutrition Bible, is just that, I can't even tell you how many times I have used it for reference! The most difficult part for me was the Legal Guidelines, as I had to read it twice to understand it. I also got a lot of help from the forum in this area.
Q. What was your experience with the GCNM staff?
A. I have only had educational experiences at large universities, and have to say that I had even greater help at GCNM that at my $25,000/year university. Not only can you call for help or with a question, the forum “Ask an instructor” was a life-saver on many occasions! I usually got a response in the same day (I began to wonder if the staff ever sleeps!), or had my question answered by calling student support. It's the question that most people ask when I say the course is 'on-line', but I have nothing but rave reviews!
Once again, I thank Harmony for taking the time to share her experiences with us. All of at us at GCNM wish her the best.
Interviewer, Kate Marcinak, HHP, BA, C-PT, GCNM Newsletter Editor
Learn more about the Global College of Natural Medicine by logging on at http://www.GCNM.com, where you will find details on the school, its programs, tuition, and contact information.
Search online for values in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.
