The color spectrum, from red through violet, carry different energies that can be used in subtle energy healing for the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Whether you use a form of hands-on healing like reiki or energy medicine, or distance energy work, colors can be a valuable way to channel energy. Color frequencies can be used in energy work directed at an injury, illness, or to help with emotional or spiritual issues.

Primary Colors

The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. The red spectrum – any colors with a significant amount of red in them, from orange to maroon and purple – are warming and stimulating. Yellow spectrum colors are rejuvenating and balancing to the mind, while the blue spectrum is cool and has a spiritual vibration.

Red is warming and stimulating. It may be useful for colds, poor circulation, and mucus. Red strengthens the physical body, grounds the root chakra, and intensifies strong emotions (anger, passion, love, courage).

Blue is cooling, quieting, cleansing and spiritual. It is useful for the respiratory system, may be useful against high blood pressure, and is good for almost any condition related to the throat. Blue is one of the best colors for children, childhood illnesses, and for easing loneliness.

Yellow is stimulating to the mind, confidence, enthusiasm and optimism. It is good for the digestive and eliminative organs. Yellow may be used to bridge the gap between strong, physical reds and sensitive, spiritual blue shades.

Secondary Colors

The secondary colors are orange, green, and violet.

Orange is balancing to the digestive system, nervous system, and strengthens muscles. It is sociable, joyful and may help fend off tiredness and depression.

Green is the color of growth, balance, and calm. It is good for the nervous system, high blood pressure, and for relieving inflammation, and is the color associated with the heart chakra. Blue-greens are soothing for pain relief, especially of cramps. Green is generally avoided when someone has cancer, since it encourages growth, although in other energy paradigms green is used to fight cancer.

Violet is cleansing and purifying. It is good for the bones and for fighting cancer. It combines the warmth and coolness of red and blue, and helps in balance and assimilation. It is related to the spiritual crown chakra and the connection to the divine.

Other Colors

The seven colors of a normal spectrum - the colors white light visibly breaks into when it is shone through a prism - are often summarized as "ROYGBIV": red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

Indigo and deep blue are said to strengthen the immune system and the glands, and to awaken intuition. Indigo is sedative and purifying. It can also be used on the lungs and eyes. Indigo should not be used to excess or it may cause depression and feelings of isolation.

Pink is soothing and can be used to increase feelings of compassion, love and purity. It is good for the immune system.

Lemon (yellow with a touch of green), like its namesake fruit, acts as a cleanser. It is stimulating to the brain and good for soft tissue and bones.

Black, like white, contains all the colors of the spectrum. When used with discretion, it is grounding, calming, and protective. Black may connect with the feminine and the subconscious. It should never be used alone (with white is usually best), and only used sparingly.

Brown is grounding and good for bringing common sense to emotional dilemmas.

Silver and grey enhance the effect of other colors, and can be used in meditation to increase intuition.

For more information on using colors in healing work, see Healing with Color.

Reference: Andrews, Ted, How to Heal with Color, Llewellyn Publications, USA, 2001.