Light as a Healing Mechanism

Abstract

L ight as a H ealing M echanism O Nithya Lingampalli absorb different wavelengths of light at various intensities, yielding diverse physiological responses. By studying these varying physiological effects, doctors can then learn how to manipulate a patient’s body with the strategic exposure to light (Cocilovo and Rosen, 1999). Over time, the literature on phototherapy continued to grow as various researches sought to explain how and why it worked. While Ghadiali’s initial Spectro-Chrome Theory was widely accepted as an explanation for phototherapy’s effectiveness, another intriguing postulate was presented through research. The human eye contains a large concentration of light-sensitive molecules called flavins that have long been known to play a part in light absorption, and thus color perception. Research soon unveiled that these flavins also existed in various parts of our body including our skin, organs, blood and bones. This distribution of flavins throughout our entire body may be the mechanism through which we are able to absorb light and have varying physiological responses to it (Starwynn, 2009). A similar theory stems from the fact that certain nerve clusters, often targeted by acupuncturists, also seem to be involved in light absorption. Since these nerve clusters can be manipulated to influence human “Light-sensitive molecules called flavins are concentrated in our eyes ... it was discovered that these flavins also existed in various parts of our body including our skin, organs, blood and bones.” B erkeley S cientific J ournal • C olors • F all 2012 • V olume 17 • I ssue 1 • 1 B S J ver the centuries, various human populations have made use of sunlight’s reputed healing qualities. The ancient Greeks built healing temples in which the incoming sunlight would hit various colored jewels such as emeralds and rubies on the temple’s roof, sending colored beams throughout the interior of the temple. The Romans color-diagnosed their patients and placed them into rooms that radiated a specific color. Even the Chinese used color as a manifestation of cosmic energy that could be used to heal internal organs (Day, 2008). But why is it that different colors of light have diverse physiological effects, increasing heart rate and speeding up skin cell regeneration, on the body? It was not until an accident in 1876 that extensive phototherapy research began. A doctor named Dinshah Ghadiali was astonished when he encountered a woman that was dying from intractable dysentery that no medication would cure. Out of other options, Ghadiali shined a violet light on the patient’s body as a final effort to save her, and the curative effect of the light was so drastic that she was up and walking after only three days. This incident prompted him to research the applications of phototherapy and subsequently develop the Spectro-Chrome Theory, which postulates that the body contained different concentrations of various minerals which all absorbed light differently. As a result, different areas of the body