Seeing colour affects our senses, state of mind, mood and emotions. Colour can stimulate and energize or calm and sedate. Colour affects the foods we eat, the clothes we wear, the environment we frequent. Colours have different wavelengths and vibrational frequencies. Seeing a rainbow may impart feelings of euphoria, excitement or joy.

Colour is an important element of many complementary therapies. Gem stones used to enhance the energy of the chakras in Ayurvedic medicine are chosen by colour.

Many of the properties of flower essences are determined by the colour of the blossoms from which they derive. Colour therapy is also an important part of nutritional therapies. Nutritionists often suggest that people shop for as many different colours of fruits and vegetables as possible to ensure that they take in a range of vitamins and nutrients. The colour of food, an important part of its appeal, may in turn stimulate appetite. Some people attribute different healing properties to different colours.

Colour and Attributed Properties

Red: Boosts digestion and has a warming effect.

Orange: Provides vitality, mental clarity, joy and emotional expansion.

Yellow: Acts as a motor stimulant, boosts morning energy and facilitates digestion.

Green: Nurtures, calms nerves and reduces tension.

Blue: Cools the body and has strong yin or vata (wind) properties. (See sections of Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine for details.)