Aura-Soma Color Therapy: Principles, Practice & Evidence Status

What Is Aura-Soma?

Aura-Soma is a complementary/alternative therapy developed in 1983 by Vicky Wall (UK). It uses dual-colored “Equilibrium” bottles (108+ combinations) containing essential oils, herbal extracts, and crystal energies in water/oil layers. Clients select 4 bottles → practitioner interprets → recommends bottles, pomanders, quintessences, color essences for topical/olfactory/environmental use.

Claimed Mechanism

• Colors correspond to chakras, electromagnetic frequencies, consciousness levels.
• Selection reflects “soul’s need”; application “balances aura.”
• No physiological mechanism proposed; operates in subtle energy paradigm.

Reported Benefits (Anecdotal / Practitioner Claims)

• Stress reduction, relaxation
• Emotional insight, self-awareness
• Sleep improvement
• Creative enhancement
• Support during life transitions

Scientific Evidence

• No peer-reviewed RCTs demonstrating efficacy for any medical/psychological condition.
• No plausible biophysical mechanism for “aura diagnosis” or “color balancing.”
• Classified as pseudoscience by scientific consensus (similar to chromotherapy, crystal healing).
• Placebo, relaxation response, and therapeutic alliance likely explain reported benefits.

Safety

• Generally low risk (topical oils, aromatherapy).
• Potential: contact dermatitis (essential oils), photosensitivity (citrus oils), delayed evidence-based care.
• Cost: Bottles £30–£60+; courses £hundreds.

Regulatory Status

• UK: Not regulated as medicine (MHRA); sold as cosmetics.
• US: Cosmetic (FD&C Act); structure/function claims only; no disease claims permitted.

Bottom Line

Aura-Soma is a non-evidence-based color therapy system. May provide relaxation/self-reflection value but should not replace medical/psychological treatment. Disclose use to healthcare providers.