Red Light Therapy

Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation (UVBI), also known as Red Light Therapy or Photobiomodulation, is a therapeutic technique which exposes the blood to ultraviolet (UV) light. This procedure has gained attention in recent years for its potential health benefits and applications in various medical conditions.

When we perform Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation at Greenhouse Natural Medicine, we draw blood from the patient and run it through quartz crystal tubes, which are exposed to high intensity bulbs. The blood is irradiated with UV light from the bulbs, as well as red, amber, blue, and green light, before returning to the body.

While the blood is exposed to the ultraviolet light, pathogens and bacteria are killed and the blood becomes charged with more energy from the light. The entire procedure takes about one hour and has been shown to improve multiple health conditions along with overall health.

How Does Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation Work?

UVBI works on the principle that specific wavelengths of UV light can have therapeutic effects on blood. When blood is exposed to UV light, it undergoes photochemical reactions. The light triggers the formation of singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species, which have been shown to have antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Additionally, UVBI may help stimulate the production of nitric oxide, a molecule involved in vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels for improved flow) and immune regulation.

Ultraviolet Spectrum

At Greenhouse Natural Medicine, we offer UVBI with the full spectrum of light, because there are unique benefits to each wavelength. 

Red Light

  • Improves microcirculation and utilization of oxygen in tissues
  • Activates mechanisms of cellular immunity
  • Detoxication effect, improvement of microcirculation
  • Improves wound healing
  • Stimulates collagen production
  • Stimulates hair follicles
  • Stimulates lymphatic circulation
  • Improves cellular energy production
  • Pain relief

Blue Light

  • Improves rheology of the blood
  • Increases metabolism
  • Decreases high blood glucose parameters
  • Enhances immunological response
  • Supportive for wound healing (superficial skin in combination with other therapies) and bacterial infections
  • Calming to the nervous system
  • Can alleviate seasonal affective disorder by elevating mood 

Green Light

  • Can help with nerve pain, headaches, and migraines.
  • Supports heathy stem cell growth and development
  • Improves oxygen levels in the blood and tissues
  • Improves the look of aging skin by lightening hyperpigmentation (sun spots), circles under the eyes, and visible capillaries on the skin)
  • Shortens healing time of sunburns
  • Enhances glucose metabolism

Near Infrared

  • Stimulates tissue regeneration at a deeper level
  • Provides pain relief at deeper levels
  • Can improve circulation in larger, deeper vessels

Peer-reviewed articles about the benefits of light therapy

  • Al-Quisi, Ahmed Fadhel et al. “Efficacy of the LED Red Light Therapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders: Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.” Pain research and treatment vol. 2019 8578703. 6 May. 2019, doi:10.1155/2019/8578703
  • Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophys. 2017;4(3):337-361. doi:10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337
  • Gale GD, Rothbart PJ, Li Y. Infrared therapy for chronic low back pain: a randomized, controlled trial. Pain Res Manag. 2006;11(3):193-196. doi:10.1155/2006/876920
  • Reuss, Anna Maria et al. “Blue-light treatment reduces spontaneous and evoked pain in a human experimental pain model.” Pain reports vol. 6,4 e968. 8 Dec. 2021, doi:10.1097/PR9.0000000000000968
  • Cardoso FDS, Gonzalez-Lima F, Gomes da Silva S. Photobiomodulation for the aging brain. Ageing Res Rev. 2021 Sep;70:101415. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101415. Epub 2021 Jul 26. PMID: 34325071.
  • Torres AE, Lim HW. Photobiomodulation for the management of hair loss. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2021 Mar;37(2):91-98. doi: 10.1111/phpp.12649. Epub 2021 Jan 13. PMID: 33377535.
  • Heiskanen, Vladimir, and Michael R Hamblin. “Photobiomodulation: lasers vs. light emitting diodes?.” Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology vol. 17,8 (2018): 1003-1017. doi:10.1039/c8pp90049c
  • Ferraresi C, Huang YY, Hamblin MR. Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in sports performance?. J Biophotonics. 2016;9(11-12):1273-1299. doi:10.1002/jbio.201600176
  • Hamblin MR. Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders. BBA Clin. 2016;6:113-124. Published 2016 Oct 1. doi:10.1016/j.bbacli.2016.09.002
  • Hennessy M, Hamblin MR. Photobiomodulation and the brain: a new paradigm. J Opt. 2017;19(1):013003. doi:10.1088/2040-8986/19/1/013003
  • Askalsky, Paula, and Dan V Iosifescu. “Transcranial Photobiomodulation For The Management Of Depression: Current Perspectives.” Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment vol. 15 3255-3272. 22 Nov. 2019, doi:10.2147/NDT.S188906
  • Gutiérrez-Menéndez A, Marcos-Nistal M, Méndez M, Arias JL. Photobiomodulation as a promising new tool in the management of psychological disorders: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020 Dec;119:242-254. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.002. Epub 2020 Oct 15. PMID: 33069687.
  • Gasparyan L. Laser Irradiation of the blood. Laser Partner – Clinixperience – All Volumes – 2003:1-4
  • The intravenous laser blood irradiation – Introduction of a New Therapy, M. H. Weber
  • Vinck E, Cagnie B, Cornelissen M, Declerque H, Cambier D. Green light emitting diode Irridation enhances Fibroblast Growth impaired by high glucose levels. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 2005, 23, 2:167-171
  • Intravenous Laser Irradiation of Blood: current state and future perspectives. Levon Gasparyan, Anu Makela EMRED Oy, Helsinki, Finland ABER Institute, Helsinki, Finland
  • Gamaleya N.F.” Mechanisms of biological action of laser irradiation” ion the book Lasers in the clinical plactice Pletnev S.D Ed. Moscow 1981 pp. 35-81

Please call the office to book an appointment to find out if Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation therapy is right for you.

Our Hours

Monday 8AM - 4PM
Tuesday 8AM - 4PM
Wednesday 8AM - 4PM
Thursday 8AM - 4PM
Friday by appointment only
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed