To understand some of the properties of healing crystals and gemstones, it is useful to know some of the therapeutic uses of color. These are basic guidelines for Color Therapy that can help you choose your Gemstone Jewelry, Chakra Jewelry and Gemstone Yoga Jewelry Designs. The energy wavelengths of the different colors of the light spectrum can have a significant effect upon your health and general well-being.
Click on any color in the table below to learn about its specific healing and spiritual qualities, and its use in color therapy.
Red is the element of fire. Its complement is turquoise. Red rays produce heat which brings vitality and energizes the physical body. Red is associated with the root chakra (Muladhara Chakra) in the sacral region. It is stimulating and promotes strength, sexuality, will power and alertness.Red stimulates and excites the nerves and activates the circulation of the blood. It excites the cerebro-spinal fluid and sympathetic nervous system. Red is also good for the muscular system and the left cerebral brain hemisphere. It builds the hemoglobin and energizes the liver.Red is particularly useful in the absorption of iron into the body and clears congestion and mucus. It stimulates the overall energy levels of the metabolism, lower extremities and most blood conditions. It warms and it activates. It awakens the physical life force.
Psychologically, red represents health, fire, anger, temper, danger and destruction. It stimulates, excites and acts as an irritant. It gives a sense of power. It can stimulate your passions, whether they be of sex and love, courage, hatred or even revenge.
Spiritually, red draws the ego back into the self. It is useful for the extrovert to go back within.Red may be useful in the treatment of ailments such as colds, poor circulation, anemia, excess mucus, bronchitis, constipation, physical debility, pneumonia and tuberculosis.Excessive use of red will produce fever and exhaustion. It can also promote hostility, anger and violence. Too much red can over-stimulate and aggravate certain conditions. High blood pressure may be an indication of too much red energy within the system. It is recommended that red be used in conjunction with blue. Red is balanced by the color green.
Scarlet and purple have opposite effects in color therapy. For example, scarlet is a vasoconstrictor and raises the blood pressure while purple is a vasodilator and lowers the blood pressure. Scarlet stimulates kidney activity and the sexual mechanism.Scarlet helps in cases of impotency and frigidity when used in the genital area. Scarlet is useful in cases of scant menstruation.
Orange is associated with the spleen chakra (Swadhishthana Chakra), which regulates circulation and metabolism. Its complement is blue. Orange stimulates the thyroid gland, but a depressant of parathyroid action. The vibration of orange color expands the lungs, promotes happiness and joy. Orange is used to treat depression, hypothyroidism and kidney and lung problems, such as asthma and bronchitis.Orange has an antispasmotic effect, so it can be useful for muscle spasms or cramps of all kinds. Orange acts on the spleen and the pancreas to help assimilation and circulation of foods and nutrients. It aids in the calcium metabolism in the body.It stimulates the production of milk after childbirth, strengthens the lungs and stimulates and increases the pulse rate without affecting the blood pressure. It releases the energy of both the spleen and pancreas.
Orange symbolizes warmth and prosperity. It is the color of heat, fire, will, and temporal power. It is also the color of joy, wisdom and creativity.Orange strengthens the etheric body, enlivens the emotions and creates a general sense of well-being and cheerfulness. This color is tied to the emotional health and the muscular system of the body.Most shades of orange can be used to revitalize the physical body, especially after a bout of illness, for it is strengthening to the eliminative system of the body. in particular, peach is a color that strengthens the aura and gives it a little extra cushioning in recovery processes.
Orange can be of help in healing conditions of the spleen, pancreas, stomach, intestines, adrenals, kidneys, food assimilation and depression, as well as asthma, bronchitis, epilepsy, colds, gout, gallstones, growths, hyper-thyroidism, mental exhaustion, tumors and rheumatism.Too much orange may adversely affects the nerves and can also aggravate organs and energy related to the second chakra. Orange should be balanced with shades of green-blue.
Yellow is associated with the solar plexus (Manipura Chakra), which regulates the intellect and judgment. Its complement is violet. Yellow stimulates mental abilites and concentration, and promotes detachment. Yellow is the color of the intellect, of perception rather than of reason. Golden-yellow shades bring health to both your body and mind.
Yellow is a mixture of red and green rays. It has the stimulating potency of red as well as the reparative quality of green. Therefore, it tends to both stimulate functions and repair damaged cells. Yellow light directed at the intestinal tract for short periods is a digestant. For longer periods, it acts both as catharsis and as a cathartic. It also stimulates the flow of bile and has an anthelmintic action (antagonistic to parasites and worms).
Yellow activates the motor nerves and generates energy for the muscles. Lack of yellow energy in any part of the body can manifest as dysfunction in that area, including partial or complete paralysis due to the deficiency of sensory and/or motor energy.
Yellow affects the digestive system, gastrointestinal tract, adrenal activity and the left hemisphere brain activity. It has a stimulating, cleansing and eliminating action on the liver, intestines and the skin.Yellow can help with imbalances such as rheumatism, arthritis, constipation, diabetes, eczema, indigestion.Excessive exposure to yellow may make you hyperactive. It should be balanced with shades of blue.
Green is the color of the heart chakra (Anahata Chakra). Green is the color of nature. Green is a great, if not the greatest, healer. Its complement is magenta. Green is the most predominant color on our planet. It balances all energies and it can be used to increase energy and vitality. It represents purity and harmony. It has a calming effect, especially in inflamed conditions of the body, is soothing to the nervous system and builds muscles, bones and other tissue cells.
Green relieves tension in the blood vessels and lowers the blood pressure. It is also an aphrodisiac and sexual tonic, and has disinfectant and germicide properties. Green is emotionally soothing and awakens hope, faith and peace.Mentally, green is the color of energy, youth, growth, inexperience, fertility, hope, and new life, but it can also represent envy, jealousy and superstition.
It can be beneficial in the treatment of imbalances of the autonomic nervous system, cardiac conditions, high blood pressure, ulcers, exhaustion, and headaches, as well as asthma, hay fever, hepatic ailments, laryngitis, malaria, ulcers and venereal diseases. Green also calms the mind, helps with acidity, balances the metabolism, stabilizes the weight, tones the liver and spleen, and benefits the pituitary gland. Green helps things grow, so it is not recommended for tumors and growths.
Blue is associated with the throat chakra (Vishuddha Chakra), which deals with self-expression, communication and will power. Its complement is orange. Blue is a cooling and calming color, good for insomnia. It promotes growth, slows the action of the heart, which is useful in cases of tachycardia, and has an overall tonic effect. It promotes vitality and stimulates the metabolism, and can also be used for throat problems, asthma, stress and migraine, as well as for improving verbal skills.
Blue is anti-carcinogenic and has antiseptic properties. Its cooling qualities makes it useful for inflammatory conditions. It contracts the arteries, veins and capillaries, and thereby can raise the blood pressure.Psychologically, blue can help with the manic phase of manic-depressive disorders. It can be more soothing than green for emotional conditions. It relaxes the mind and controls the throat chakra, which is the energy center for creative power.
Blue is the color for meditation and spiritual expansion, as it is the color of truth, devotion, sincerity and intuition. It promotes meditation, solitude and independence.Blue can help in the treatment of imbalances related to the throat and respiratory system, asthma, chicken pox, jaundice, rheumatism, childhood diseases, tumors, congestion, fevers, cataracts, diarrhea, dysentery, epilepsy, painful menstruation, gonorrhea, laryngitis, glaucoma, ulcers and typhoid fever.
Indigo and the deeper shades of blue are dynamic healing colors on both spiritual and physical levels. Indigo is associated with the third eye chakra (Ajna Chakra) and is balancing to all conditions associated with it. It strengthens the lymphatic system, the glands and the immune system of the body. It is an excellent blood purifier and can greatly assist in detoxifying the body.Indigo has a sedative effect and can be used in meditation to attain higher states of consciousness, as well as to awaken devotion and intuition. Indigo was the color chosen by royalty and church authorities in Europe for the spiritual power it evokes.
Indigo affects the vision, hearing and smell, and can be used to treat all conditions of the face, as well as for lung problems and mental obsessions. It is also useful for asthma, bronchitis, cataracts, convulsions, ear problems, dyspepsia, nose bleeds, facial paralysis, pneumonia, appendicitis, tonsilitis and whooping cough.
Too much indigo can cause depression and a sense of separateness and isolation from others. It can be balanced effectively with shades of orange.
Violet is associated with the crown chakra (Sahasrara Chakra), which deals with the energy of the Higher Mind. Its complement is yellow. True violet is 50 percent blue and 50 percent red, and so it represents the balance of the physical and the spiritual aspects in all of us. Therefore, it helps to balance the physical and spiritual energies. Violet is very antiseptic and purifying on all levels. It is the color of dignity, honor, self-respect and hope. It is useful to bolster self-esteem and counter feelings of hopelessness, as well as in the treatment of mental and nervous disorders.Violet is effective in cancerous conditions of the body. Arthritis can be eased by a violet light that leans more toward the blue shades. Violet also helps the body assimilate nutrients and minerals, it stimulates the spleen, nourishes the brain and purifies the blood.
Violet helps maintain the potassium and sodium balance and is good for bone-growth. It controls irritability and excess hunger. It can promote healing in cases of ailments such as bladder and kidney trouble, cramps, epilepsy, leucoderma, neuralgia, rheumatism, sciatica and mental disorders. Excess violet may suppress or stagnate emotions, particularly anger.
Violet is a spiritual and inspiring color. It can magnify the power of meditation and help open up to our past lives, especially those which are presently affecting our health.Other shades of Violet: The red-purple range is beneficial to balancing the polarities of the body. The blue- purple range is effective in helping to shrink growths (such as tumors) and to cool and ease inflammations.
Purple is used in color therapy for purification because of its high vibration. The main application of purple is in detoxifying the body. Purple is used in excessive menstruation (opposite in effect to scarlet) If the bleeding is excessive, use indigo instead because it will reduce the bleeding more effectively. Purple gives authority, prestige, and distance; reduces heart pain, stiffness and cysts.Magenta is the color of the highest order, connected with spirituality, meditation and letting go. It is an agent for change, for the clearing out of old attitudes and obsessions, and for making a break with the past. Its complement is green. Magenta energizes the adrenal glands, the heart and the reproduction system.
Pink is associated with the heart chakra (Anahata Chakra). Pink is a soothing color on the physical, mental and emotional levels. It can be used to soothe conditions of anger and feelings of neglect. Pink can be used to awaken compassion, love, devotion and purity. It can be used in meditation to acquire discrimination and discern greater truths. It is comforting to the emotional energies of the individual.
Physically, pink is most effective in the treatment of skin problems, especially when combined with aqua. It can be used for treating skin conditions and inflammations and the immune system. It also stimulates the thymus gland and helps ease stress upon the immune system of the body.
The color lemon is obtained by combining green and yellow, so it shares properties of both. In lemon, green acts as a cleanser and yellow as a motor stimulant and cleanser too. It has important effects on the digestive system and the left hemisphere brain activity. One of the main applications of the color lemon in color therapy is for mental stimulation.
Lemon is vitalizing and stimulating to the brain. Thus, it is effective in treating and alleviating conditions such as Alzheimer’s, senility, etc. It can be used to help stimulate the brain’s natural abilities. Lemons assists us in bringing both physical and mental toxins to the surface so they can be cleaned out. Lemon facilitates the natural digestive process, helping the body assimilate nutrients more effectively. Lemon is good for tissues and bones.
Lemon is also a sexual stimulant and activates the thymus gland, thus controlling growth. It gives energy and helps overcome stress. It also has an anacid effect in the body.
Turquoise shares the cleansing action of green and the soothing qualities of blue. It is soothing, purifying and calming. Turquoise is used to combat inflammatory diseases and to boost the immune system. Its complement is red.
Turquoise is important for respiratory conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis, and in strengthening the metabolism. Aqua is cooling to the system. It can be beneficial in easing all feverish conditions and for balancing all systems of the body. It can also be used to cool and ease any inflammation. It vitalizes all systems. It is also purifying. In treating febrile diseases, change to turquoise when the temperature is normal.
Aqua is useful in treating skin conditions, throat problems, and acute pain and earaches. Turquoise is a prime skin-building color and should be used for burns, after the pain is relieved. It hastens the formation of new skin.
White contains the entire light spectrum. Thus it influences all systems of the body. This is the basis for light therapy.White is strengthening. It is cleansing and purifying to the entire energy system. It promotes purity, virtue and spirituality.
White is nurturing; heals fevers, infections and pain; calms the heart, mind, nerves and emotions; and promotes vitality and supportive feelings.White can awaken greater creativity. When in doubt as to what color to use, you can seldom go wrong with white.
It is beneficial to begin and end a color therapy session with white to stabilize the energy system of the individual and to give it an overall boost. It amplifies the effects of any other color used with it in a healing session.If used in excess, white light causes passivity, lethargy, hypersensitivity, and inhibitions.
Black is a protective color. It is grounding and calming, especially to extremely sensitive individuals. It activates the magnetic or feminine energies of the body, strengthening them.Black is the spiritual color for some religions; but it is the color of death for others. It promotes resistance, obstruction, opposition, and enmity. It wards off hatred and negative emotions.
Black is most effective when used in conjunction with white, balancing the polarities of the individual, especially in cases where the individual seems to be losing control. It can activate the subconscious mind which can put life and all of its craziness into proper perspective. It should rarely be used by itself, but always in combination with another color.
Black should be used sparingly, as too much black can cause depression or aggravate such emotional/mental conditions. Black also increases fear, suspicion and paranoia.
Brown is an earthy color. It grounds, stabilizes and neutralizes. It is an effective color in healing.
Brown is especially effective in stabilizing overexcited states. It calms and grounds emotions and extreme mental conditions. Brown can help awaken common sense and discrimination. It brings us back down to earth.Brown is effective for any kind of spaciness. When it shows up in the human aura, brown may indicate a need for grounding. When the aura takes the shade of brown, it will often reflect infection in the body or that area of the body in which it overlays in the aura.
Brown can be used to stabilize all systems. It is useful in cases of hyperactivity with children, especially with combinations of colors in the rust to deep brown range.Too much exposure to brown may make one’s personality coarser.
Gold is an important color in oriental healing. Its principal property is in strengthening and amplifying. Gold is very useful in increasing the self-consciousness. It has beneficial effect on the immune system and on the cardiac conditions.
Gold is a color that can strengthen the energies associated with the entire immune system. It can be used with other colors to amplify the effects without overexciting the system. It is very strengthening to the heart. It is effective to use in regard to all cardiac problems, especially as a powerful tonic after heart surgery. Gold is a powerful stimulant to the immune system of the body. It helps awaken your own healing abilities to assist your body in restoring homeostasis. It can also awaken renewed enthusiasm. Gold is also believed to improve libido, especially in women. Gold harmonizes the mind and affects the endocrine systems. In Ayurveda, gold is believed to affect ojas (immunity).
