The natural light is the oldest form of therapy. It regulates our biological clock, determines the production of hormones and our biological functions, reduces transmission of bacteria and contributes to the proper functioning of the human body. Many forms of treatment are based on the properties of sunlight, such as the so-called Light therapy and bright light treatment.
In the past, the method of light therapy was used for the treatment of tuberculosis of the skin and now is widely known to be used for treatment of a large number of diseases such as depression, cancer, nuclear jaundice, acne and even aggressive behavior.
Recent studies have shown the efficacy of light therapy (also known as phototherapy) in patients suffering from the “syndrome of seasonal affective disorder” (SAD Syndrome), which usually starts at the end of autumn and disappears in early summer.
This phenomenon of winter depression is particularly frequent in areas with a lack of bright sunlight. The daily exposure of these patients to bright light, of about 10,000 lux for a period of one hour,is confirmed to improve their mental mood and emotional state.
It has been scientifically proven that light therapy in the last decade contributed significantly to reducing the proportion of nuclear jaundice in premature newborns and chronic dermatoses, like psoriasis, in which patients are exposed to controlled light of UVB narrow band.
The treatment that uses a specific wavelength of the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, is called color therapy. Each color is determined by its own frequency and is a form of energy which affects the human body. In the early ’90s it was proven that blue light is ideal for the treatment of various psychological problems such as anorexia nervosa and depression. On the other hand, the red light is effective for the treatment of cancer, constipation, and healing wounds.
Today, color therapy is applied to several athletes who want to improve their performance by exposure to red or blue light depending on the needs and program requirements that they follow. Furthermore, the pink light is very calming and has been used in several prisons to reduce aggressive and violent behavior of inmates.
On the other hand, using yellow light in similar places, should be avoided, since it can be a cause for tension. Furthermore, yellow light had been associated as a possible cause of crime and violent quarrels as yellow light is emitted by sodium lamps in the streets.
Phototherapy has also beneficial effects for patients suffering from Alzheimer, and helps regulate the sleep periods and activity, with their exposure to intense blue light in the morning when the sun just risen and just before set.
For many years, phototherapy has been in the shadows and margins, being a controversial treatment method for its effectiveness. Today is applied to a wide range of diseases and has been scientifically proven its contribution to patients. This is a treatment that is in absolute harmony with the natural world, since everything around us consist of a color scheme.