l Colour has the power to influence our wellbeing, explains Tessa Simpson

The effect of colour on our lives is so subtle that we seldom think about it - therefore, recognising that colour can have a healing effect comes as a surprise to many people. Colour comes from daylight and contains all the attributes of the spectrum. It is a form of radiation, and while we accept that other forms such as X-rays and ultraviolet light have a role in health care, we are often more unwilling to accept colour can also maintain and restore health.

Research is beginning to validate the importance of colour in treating illness. For example, looking at blue light has been shown to lower blood pressure by calming the autonomic nervous system, while red light causes it to rise.

I discussed the use of colour with Colour Therapist, Alison Birrell, and asked her to explain its uses.

''Colour therapy uses colour to treat mental, emotional and physical problems and restore the whole person to health and balance. Colour can be used in many different ways. I use it with a number of other therapies dependant of the situation,'' she says.

''Every colour has its own frequency. When we are healthy and balanced the frequency of our cells remains constant, but being unwell disturbs this frequency, causing an imbalance.

''Colours can have both a positive and negative aspect. For example, magenta is the colour of 'letting go', and work may need to be done on that area, before using a complementary colour, which in this case is orange, in order to get the right balance.

''If a person comes for a session and says they are depressed I like them to talk about themselves and I may also douse the chakras (energy points) with crystals to see what colour they need to help the healing. I would explain about the holistic approach and try to get a clear picture. For example, blue is a positive colour, but if a person is out of balance they may need something different.

''People couldn't live in an all-red room, however red is a stimulant, and gives more energy. Red also works on the body on a physical level - it stimulates the circulation and the adrenaline, but the contra-indicator is that it is not good for people with heart problems or during pregnancy. A client who has persistent or recurrent throat problems may discover that they find it hard to speak up for themselves, or are not working at something they enjoy - I will use turquoise blue to hep with communication.

''Migraine sufferers may be using their logical left brain at the expense of the right, creative side, and are blocking their expressive skills. They could need grounding using red and black.

''I may use hands-on healing in conjunction with colour, or work with crystals, coloured silk scarves or coloured light to focus on an area which needs work.

''Another alternative is allowing the body to accept colour through massage, using coloured essential oils. If, for instance, they are overactive, I would chose a colour to help calm them down. For the past two years I have been working with a family support group for young mums. One simple and inexpensive way of helping has been by looking at the colours in their homes and suggesting ways to brighten them; for example, using coloured bottles, paper flowers or cushions. If you feel comfortable in a room you like, then any problem feels like less of a problem. The colours we wear have an impact both on ourselves and those with whom we interact. Wearing green can create a calming effect, orange or peach a positive energy, pink for harmony.''

One client, Elspeth, from Musselburgh, notes: ''Alison has helped me in a number of ways. My house is considerably changed since she visited me. Every blind is now orange. It brings me more peace and joy. I have now completely redecorated three rooms. I have used terracotta and green to create harmony.

''I now realise how important an impact colour makes, and I always consider what mood I want to create when I choose what clothes to wear each day. When Alison is giving me a treatment and asking me to visualise a colour which I can't see - for example, orange - she asks me to visualise something in that colour, such as a bottle of lucozade, and I have to imagine pouring it into my body. She also uses orange-smelling oils which evoke the image of orange. She has helped me gain a better understanding of childhood experiences, and helped me to reduce and clear out the negativity. It has definitely worked for me.''

A final word from Alison: ''Colour is free - it is out there in every bit of our lives. For example, in our food. Would we eat grey food? Then why have grey lives?''