Unlock the secrets of 8 Type Medicine color therapy. Discover how specific colors can balance your body’s energy and learn the surprising truth about their real impact.
Title: Unlock Your Vitality: 3 Surprising Truths About 8 Type Medicine Color Therapy
When you hear about 8 Type Medicine, the first thing that probably comes to mind is diet. You know the drill: what foods energize your specific constitution and what foods drain you. But have you ever looked at the constitution chart and noticed the other recommendations for things like exercise, bathing, and even colors?
Many people dismiss these as minor details, but the concept of beneficial colors holds a fascinating secret about how our bodies interact with the world. Based on the pioneering work of Dr. Kwon Dowon, the founder of 8 Type Medicine, color is another tool for achieving constitutional balance.
Let’s dive into the vibrant world of 8 Type Medicine color therapy and uncover three surprising truths you probably didn’t know.
Truth #1: The Taping Therapy Revelation
The idea that a simple color could impact our health might sound like science fiction. Dr. Kwon himself was hesitant to speak about it widely. However, a real-world case provided stunning validation for his theories.
A young pediatrician, passionate about finding alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs, was exploring various treatments like rehabilitation medicine and traditional acupuncture. He became particularly interested in kinesiology taping, a method where elastic tape is applied to the body to support muscles and reduce pain.
During his research, he stumbled upon a peculiar phenomenon: the color of the tape seemed to matter. A black tape would work wonders for one person but cause adverse effects in another.
Frustrated and searching for an explanation, he came across 8 Type Medicine. He hypothesized that the effectiveness of colored tapes might be linked to a person’s constitution. His initial experiments, however, were confusing.
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A blue tape was highly effective for the Hepatonia constitution but caused side effects for the Cholecystonia type.
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Strangely, the same blue tape also worked well for the Pulmotonia constitution—the complete opposite of Hepatonia. Meanwhile, it caused issues for the Colonotonia type.
He almost concluded that there was no relationship between tape color and constitution. But then, he discovered something incredible when he compared his findings to the basic 8 Type Medicine acupuncture prescriptions. The patterns matched perfectly.
Truth #2: The Great Paradox: How One Color Helps Two Opposites
The pediatrician, amazed by his finding, visited Dr. Kwon to ask why the basic treatment prescriptions for Hepatonia and Pulmotonia were the same. Dr. Kwon’s answer revealed the profound principle behind 8 Type Medicine color theory.
He explained:
“The sign for the Liver (肝) and the sign for the color Blue/Green (靑色) are both ‘Wood’ (木) in Eastern philosophy. Therefore, for a Hepatonia constitution, the blue tape (Wood energy) absorbs the excess Liver toxins (Wood toxins) spread throughout the body, bringing comfort. For a Pulmotonia constitution, the blue tape (Wood energy) supplements the weak and tired Liver (Wood organ), which is suppressed by strong Lung energy (Metal energy), thus awakening it. The basic acupuncture treatments for these two constitutions work on the same principle, and the mystery within them is even more astounding.”
This is the core of the paradox:
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For Hepatonia: A Calming Effect. This constitution has an inherently strong Liver, leading to an excess of “Wood” energy. The blue/green color helps by absorbing this excess, creating balance.
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For Pulmotonia: A Revitalizing Effect. This constitution has an inherently weak Liver. The same blue/green color helps by supplementing and supporting this deficient organ, boosting its function.
The same color acts as a balancing agent for two polar-opposite constitutions, but through two different mechanisms: one of absorption and one of supplementation.
Truth #3: Reality Check – Color’s Influence is Subtle
So, if green is good for your Pulmotonia constitution, should you immediately paint your house green and throw out all your red shirts? Not so fast. This is perhaps the most practical and important truth about 8 Type Medicine color application.
The effect of color is significantly weaker than the effect of food.
Think of it in terms of energy density. The food you eat is broken down and directly becomes a part of your body’s cells and energy systems. Its impact is direct, powerful, and undeniable.
Color, on the other hand, is a form of energy that our body perceives as a wavelength or vibration. Its influence is more subtle. This is why the effect was so noticeable in the taping therapy example—the tape was applied directly to a sensitive or pained area for a prolonged period, allowing its subtle energy to make a difference.
Furthermore, the Hepatonia taping example shows that even a “harmful” color (Green/Wood energy for a constitution with excess Wood energy) can be used therapeutically in the right context to achieve balance. This is based on advanced 8 Type Medicine treatment principles.
What This Means for Your Daily Life
You don’t need to obsess over the colors in your daily life.
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Focus on Diet First: Your constitutional diet is the number one factor for your health and well-being.
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Use Color Mindfully: It’s perfectly fine to pay some attention to the colors of items you keep close to your body for long periods, like phone cases, wallet, or maybe even your glasses frames.
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Trust Your Instincts: The original author of the source text notes that their beneficial color is yellow, which brings them stability and energy. However, they also love the color black (a “harmful” color for their type) because it feels calming. They feel they gain positive energy from both.
Conclusion: Embrace the Spectrum of Health
The world of 8 Type Medicine color therapy offers a fascinating glimpse into the subtle energies that influence our bodies. It shows us that balance can be achieved in mysterious ways, such as a single color helping two completely opposite constitutions.
The key takeaway is to use this knowledge wisely. Prioritize your constitutional diet as the foundation of your health. View color as a gentle, supporting tool rather than a strict rule. So, explore the colors that are said to benefit your constitution, but don’t be afraid to wear or use the colors that simply bring you joy and comfort. After all, a sense of happiness is a powerful medicine in itself.
For the original Korean text, visit here.
If you’re curious about the basics of traditional Korean medicine and health, read the following article:
The Truth About 8 Constitution Medicine: A Revolutionary Healing Framework Explained
Learn Why Studying JangSang Medicine is Important.
Frequently Asked but Silly Questions (Foods Good for the Liver??)
