Colours are natural sources of energy and vibration – and have tremendous power to heal! In fact, colour therapy has been used in Ayurveda for centuries. Ayurveda – the holistic system of Indian medicine that believes that all aspects of our lives – physical, emotional, and spiritual are interconnected indeed. Moreover, colours are an important part of this system, and can be used to treat a variety of health issues.

In this blog post, we will discuss the healing power of colours and how we use them as medicinal herbal agents at Miho as Ayurvastra.

A colour therapy session is generally an exposure to different colours, either through light therapy or colour baths. Light therapy involves using coloured lights to stimulate the body’s energy centres whereas colour baths involve soaking in a tub of water that has been infused with colour. Mere being surrounded by a colour can leave immense impact on one’s state of mind and hormone production.

 

Colour therapy can be used to treat a variety of issues, including Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Pain, Stress and much more – and the best part – correct treatment can never have any side effect.

 

There are a few different ways that you can use color therapy in Ayurveda. One way is to wear clothing that is the color of the chakra you want to balance. For example, if you are trying to balance your root chakra, you would wear red clothing. 

 

 

Another way to use color therapy is to surround yourself with the color you want to balance. This can be done by hanging paintings or using colored candles. You can also drink water that has been infused with color. For example, if you want to balance your heart chakra, you would drink green water.

Ayurvastra uses herbs for their medicinal qualities and colour – both to promote health and well being. This is the best way to stay natural and toxin free – for both the wearer and nature. The color and herbs used to get the hue will depend on the issue you are trying to treat. Here are some general examples:

– Blue: anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress

– Green: anxiety, depression, heart issues, stress

– Indigo: headaches, eye problems, mental clarity

– Orange: digestion issues, joint pain, skin problems

– Red: circulation issues, low energy, sexual dysfunction

– Violet: headaches, mental clarity, spiritual connection

– Yellow: digestive issues, mental clarity, skin problems

 

 

In Ayurveda, there are three doshas or mind-body types, namely Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each of these mind-body types is dominated by two elements, and therefore has its own strengths and weaknesses. Colors, also having their own properties, can be used to promote the strengths and tackle the specific weaknesses that each dosha has. In short, they bring balance in the doshas.

 

We are all attracted to or put off by certain colors. And often, our favourite colors change as our lives go by.

 

Well, this has a lot to do with the elements that make us up – fire, wind, water, ether, and air – each of which can be increased or decreased by color. We may not realise it, but we are always seeking some kind of comfort and balance from the colors we surround ourselves with. Even visualising certain colors can help you evoke specific qualities and feelings.

 

 

Colors And The Doshas

1. Color Therapy For Vata

Ether and air govern Vata. It is cold, fast-moving, irregular, and light-weight. Folks with Vata dosha suffer from bouts of fatigue, nervousness, constipation, and coldness in the body. They easily feel ungrounded and weak.

What To Favour:

• Pastel, warm, neutral, and earthy shades are healing colors for Vata.
• Green, brown, rust, earthy red, white, beige, warm pink, purple, and golden are best.
• Favour natural colors that calm and ground your mind.

What To Avoid:

• Bright and stimulating colors like fiery red or neons
• Avoid cooling colors since they aggravate Vata.

2. Healing Colors For Pitta

Although Pitta is governed by fire as well as water, its prime qualities are hot – burning hot. Pitta properties are penetrating, sharp, light, and oily. Pitta folks suffer from excess heat, acidity, agitation, and related bodily ailments like inflammation and burning.

What To Favour:

• Soft and cool colors work well to balance Pitta.
• Favour white, blue, silver, green, cool maroon, indigo, cool pink, beige, and purple.
• Colors that make you feel cool, relaxed, and harmonised are good.

What To Avoid:

• Heaty and vibrant colors like red and orange are Pitta-aggravating.
• Avoid neon colors too, since they can agitate the mind.

3. Color Treatment For Kapha

Earth and water dominate Kapha. Of all the doshas, Kapha is the calmest – its qualities are cold, stable, slow, heavy, and soft. Kapha folks easily become lazy, overweight, depressed, and lack energy. They need stimulation and warmth.

What To Favour:

• Vibrant, warm, and strong colors are excellent for Kapha.
• Bright red, orange, yellow, gold, neons, bright purple, and emrald green work well.
• Choose shades that uplift your body, mind, and soul.

What To Avoid:

• Stay away from greys and black.
• Cool and pastel shades are too sedating for you

 

You never know what you’ll notice when you open up and allow yourself to interact with the environment around you more.

 

• Feeling depressed? – Try a brighter color such as red.
• Extra irritated or angry? Try cooling down with calming blue tones.
• Feeling sluggish, dull, or lethargic? – Incorporate more sattvic and rajas colors such as whites or warming colors.
• Over stimulated lately? Try decreasing stimulation and increase sattvic whites, blues, greens.

 

As always, there’s no right or wrongs. These are just principles to use as guidelines on your journey towards balance and healing.

 

We at Miho, use this innate quality of colors deriving them from mediated herbs - nature, combining both the sciences and the art of hand dyeing as Ayurvastra. Each colour group is derived from a dedicated herbal concussion benefitting from its medicinal qualities and colour - both.

 

KNOW YOUR COLOURS FROM MIHO BETTER

We observed and researched common everyday issues faced by infants today. The increase in pollution, toxins in general lifestyle, the distance from nature, use of processed food, hectic stressful lifestyles and their sensitivity leads to 5 groups of wellness issues on a day to day basis hampering their healthy growth and development.
Recognition of these helped us understand and curate five broad categories with herbs and colours in sink to promote everyday wellness. Here is a brief about those categories:

 

1. Issues in Long Deep Sleep:

Herbs like Neem, Madan, Manjishtha, Schisandra, Hibiscus, Henna, Aswagandha etc. in this concussion release warm tones from Rich Lavender to Deep Red and Browns which are considered positive for sleep. These herbs help calm muscles and regulate blood pressure to ensure that the baby sleeps sound. The colour shades from here an represent stability, wealth and royalty.

 

 

2. Dry Skin Issues and Allergies:

Indigo, Amla, Tulsi, Neem, Dasapushpam, Energy Leaves, Sandalwood, Chakavad in this balanced concussion for Skin Diseases releases hues of Blue which symbolizes beautiful oceans and sky. Chakramarda or Chakavad is probably the underdog among the medicinal herbs. This concussion prevents skin allergies and dryness which can lead to long term skin problems like Eczema. Children who are prone to tantrums and other behavioral problems may benefit from spending time in and around blue as it calms the mind and body, lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration and decreasing aggression.

 

 

3. Immunity and Sensitivity:

This yellow concussion derived from Haldi, Neem, Amla, Aloe Vera, Jasmine, Triphala and Ashwagandha has shown to help baby improve immunity. It also prevents germ build up and itches. Yellow is a happy colour and it also increases metabolism. Soft, subtle yellows promote concentration while brighter shades can stimulate memory. The cheerful colour elevates curiosity in kids improving understanding of surrounding - keeping the baby in good mood.

 

 

4. Fatigue, Lack of Activity and Alertness:

Herbs including Henna, Lotus, Aswagandha, Amla, Tulsi, Neem, Onion, Pomegranate and more release tones of Orange. The herbs and colour enables the child to stay active, explore, and stay energized which is beneficial for growth and development. Orange has a distinctly social nature, inspiring interpersonal communication.

 

 

4. Anxiety, Stress, Hyperactivity, Inability to Focus:

Sandalwood, Lotus, Neem, Triphala, Desapushpam, Devdaru also known as "The King of Woods" and "Himalayan Cedar" make a colourless concussion which gives the natural colour of fibres in our case - generally white. Sometimes, Jaggery and Iron are added to it making the colour deep and dark - almost black. Many parents worry that black and other dark colors have negative effects on kids, but that’s not always the case. Black can relieve stress and create a sense of balance for kids. If children use a lot of black when coloring, it could be their way of releasing their negative thoughts and emotions onto the paper. Whereas, White provides a stimulus void, inspiring rest and relief which are equally important.

 

No amount of information, discussion can ever be enough as this topic of research seeps deeper as we go. Continuous research still builds up new conversations. Though, its great that there is a start and we will keep doing more and learning more - ensuring the next generations live better and do better!