Iridology is an alternative medical practice that studies the iris, or the colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil. Iridology chart readings offer patients the opportunity to diagnose their bodily constitution and take proactive measures toward their health.
Iridology was practiced as far back as 3,000 years ago by populations in Egypt, China, and India. It has been also said that Hippocrates would examine people’s eyes as part of his diagnostic process.
In the ancient religious scriptures, particularly the Bible, Luke refers to Jesus’ words that state, “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.” Images of irises have also been discovered in royal Egyptian tombs, indicating the importance of this ancient practice.
So what is iridology? Is it useful in the modern world, and how does it work within today’s holistic wellness diagnoses? Most importantly, how does iridology reading work?
What is Iridology?
Iridology – also known as iridodiagnosis – is a holistic healing technique that detects potential health problems by studying the colors and patterns of the iris.
It is an observational and non-invasive method of examining a patient’s iris, with an understanding that each part of the body has a corresponding region in the iris that can be inspected for levels of degeneration.
According to the Institute of Holistic Nutrition Online, the nerve fibers in the iris reveal your inherent weaknesses, your body’s constitution, its level of health, and the transitions your body goes through depending on your lifestyle.
The colors and patterns in your irises help determine changes in the condition of your bodily organs, which can inform a natural practitioner on the course of action to take to prevent further tissue degeneration and onset of disease. By analyzing changes in sections of the iris, iridologists can identify which body parts may be experiencing issues before they turn from acute to chronic.
Iridologists use the eye as a health screening tool either through in-person observation or the observation of detailed photos of both the right and left irises, which represent the constitution of the right and the left sides of the body respectively.
Another branch of iridological study, behavioral iridology, is a subset of physical iridology that acknowledges the role that the mental and emotional state has on physical illnesses.
It is an approach that looks at how we handle our emotions and their effect on our bodies. But more on that later! First, let’s look at the history of Iridology to place all this info into context.
A Brief History of Iridology
The first reference to iridological principles can be found in the Chiromatica Medica, a publication dating back to 1665. Later on, in 1861, Hungarian physician Dr. Ignatz von Peczely developed the first iridology chart and is known as the founding father of iridology.
A few years later, Nils Liljequist from Sweden observed his iris changing color as he took medications, and he wrote an atlas known as the Diagnosis of the Eye.
Although it was used during the 17th century in Europe, it has only been used in the United States since the 1950s. This was when American chiropractor, Dr. Bernard Jensen, who is known worldwide for his work in iridology, naturopathy, and the healing arts, introduced the American public to the art.
His passion for natural healing methods was instigated when he used naturopathic treatments, particularly alkaline diet and juicing, to cure himself of an apparently ‘incurable’ disease.
In time, he created one of the most comprehensive iris charts that is still used today. Jensen emphasized the importance of ridding the body of accumulated toxins and using raw, organic foods as detoxifiers.
What are the Benefits of Iridology?
Studies show that 85% of 800,000 patients had accurate iridology diagnosis of their ailments. This means that even without scientific understanding behind the iris-body health correlation, the information gathered during an iridologist chart reading can be useful for:
Predicting future health problems
Identifying the susceptibility to certain illnesses
Examining and reflecting on past medical problems
Revealing psychological health risks
Understanding inherited tendencies based on genetics
Providing information about the toxic accumulations in various parts of your body
One of the big advantages of iridology is that it is useful for providing health practitioners with insights into areas they should pay attention to before they progress into disease.
It can also help you as a patient know which body areas have the most weaknesses, which disorders you could be prone to, and the health issues you should address before they escalate.
The four cornerstone questions form the basis of iridology include:
What is the condition of the blood and lymph systems?
What is the condition of the nerves?
Is there adequate blood circulation within the body?
What is the quality of nutrition, rest, breathing, and the state of mind?
Iridology proves a simple, economical, and painless way to get insights into the state of the body. Chronic conditions make up 80% of all diseases, and by closely monitoring the iris, iridologists can recognize and help stop development of such ailments before they become symptomatic.
Iridology Chart Reading: How Does it Work?
During an iridology consultation, iridologists will usually look at:
The color of your irises
The level of brightness and darkness of the iris
The shape and position of trabecular tubes (nerve bundles in the iris)
Discolorations, rings, or shadings on the sclera (white part of the eye)
Using digital imaging as well as manual examination techniques, trained professionals identify patterns in the nerve bundles of the iris. These bundles of nerves respond to information from the oculomotor nerve from your body’s organs and systems.
Dr. Jensen stated that “nerve fibers in the iris respond to changes in body tissues by manifesting a reflex physiology that corresponds to specific tissue changes and locations.”
Changes in these systems will then trigger changes in the iris. By tracking these changes and taking measurements over time, iridologists can see the progression or regression of an illness.
Iridology Iris Examination Techniques
Traditionally, iridologists carried out a direct in-person observation without the help of any equipment. Modern iridologists, however, use cameras, flashlights, and microscopes to examine the iris.
They may take detailed photographs and use computer programs that classify patterns and colors. Some iridologists use magnifying glasses to more accurately examine a patient’s eyes for tissue changes.
Changes within your body’s organs and systems alter the appearance of the iris. This means that your irises will change frequently during your lifetime due to your body’s state of health.
Modern iris testing tools and techniques aim to detect these changes in the stroma, tissues, and altered pigment patterns. Generally, iridologists correlate different color eyes with possible dysfunctions.
These include:
People with blue or blue-gray eyes are referred to as the lymphatic type. They are more susceptible to upper respiratory infections, kidney stones, and inflammatory conditions.
Brown irises are linked to hematogenous-related pathology. This means they are more likely to develop liver, digestive and blood-related issues.
Individuals with a mixed-eye color, such as green, tend to have both sets of ailments, as well as blood sugar and gastric deficiencies. They also face possible mineral imbalances.
As different patterns in the iris indicate different aspects of the human body, knowing how to read them is an intricate art and science. The below image shows exactly what different patterns indicate.
Iridology Chart as a Tool
An iridology chart is the main tool used by iridologists to map out sections of the iris and their correlation with the rest of the body. Comprehensive iris charts show the location of the organs and body parts as reflected within the iris. Currently, there are various versions of the chart, although they have the same basic elements.
A typical iris chat divides the iris into approximately 90 zones and showcases both the left and right irises and how they express the state of health of a group of related organs. The iris is further divided into different sections within these zones that correspond with specific body parts.
The following is an example of an iridology chart indicating the body parts as represented in parts of the iris:
Iridologists use interpretation techniques to compare the patient’s eye with the chart. Damage to the iris indicates damage to the corresponding part of the body and is also an indication of the toxicity of your body.
What is Behavioral Iridology?
As the old adage goes, eyes are the windows to the soul, and this is especially true when looking at behavioral iridology. The science of iridology is not only relevant to the physical body but is also used to conduct behavioral assessments. Just as everyone has unique fingerprints, no two people have the same irises!
Created by Jim Verghis, this diagnostic uses observation of patterns in the iris to assess internal strengths and weaknesses and to determine personality type. He divides irises into two distinct types according to the patterns within the eye:
Burnt orange/dark brown spots known as psora represent the ‘thinking’ type of individual. These people have active left brains with a strong desire for knowledge and mental stimulation.
Rounded, pocket-type openings called lacuna are an indication of a dominant right brain. This is an individual who expresses spontaneous emotion and creativity.
In this iridology lesson, Jim Verghis explains his concept of behavioral iridology.
Behavioral iridology also explores the idea that irises contain genetic information. It is utilized to assess family history, patterns, and, your ancestral lineage, as well as to explore how they reveal themselves in your health history. This information can be extracted by trained iridologists who observe structural patterns in your irises.
Behavioral iridology not only helps identify sources of physical pain, but also addresses the psychological reasons behind it.
What Conditions Can Iridology Detect?
Some medical professionals believe iridology is useful for detecting health problems that may otherwise not be detected until the stage of chronic degeneration (symptoms of disease). It is often utilized in conjunction with other branches of alternative medicine, such as naturopathy and Ayurveda.
Modern medicines treat illnesses at their onset, oftentimes not understanding how symptoms relate to imbalances holistically. However, the objective of iridology is to take proactive action and help patients understand possible weaknesses and health issues before they manifest physically.
Through preventative measures, it can help patients strengthen their bodies though naturopathic protocols and minimize pain, stress, and expenses that come with modern treatment of disease.
Iridology assessments can help diagnose ailments that include:
Hypertension: Hypertension or high blood pressure can lead to severe health problems like stroke or heart disease. Hypertension presents as a ring around the iris that is indicative of a slow metabolism.
Gallbladder/bile duct issues: Yellowing of the eyes in a jaundice-like manner is indicative of gallbladder or bile problems. Such issues can affect liver function.
Hyperthyroidism: This condition is visible when the eyes have a slight bulge and presents symptoms such as anxiety, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, and trouble sleeping.
Liver damage: The bottom left, and right sections of the irises represent liver function. A trained iridologist can detect problems with liver functions from brown spots in these sections. Symptomatically, liver damage can present itself as signs of depression but can be reversed if treated at an early stage.
High cholesterol: A white ring around the iris can be an indication of high cholesterol and arteriosclerosis. This could also be a symptom of a poor diet.
Digestive problems: iridologists can detect problems with a patient’s digestive system by looking for discolorations around the iris. This indicates issues specifically with the stomach and intestines.
Skin issues: A dark ring surrounding the iris is an indication that skin function is inherently weak. The darker and thicker the ring, the more compromised the skin function and the more propensity there is for skin issues to develop throughout life.
Inflammation: This is one of the most telling signs of serious health conditions. Iridologists look for signs of inflammation, and by looking at the affected parts of the body, wellness experts can provide methods of reducing inflammation and stop the onset of diseases.
Weakened immune system: Compromised immune systems make a patient more susceptible to illnesses. White marks on the iris are a sign of a weakened immune system, and naturopaths will often develop an immune-boosting regimen.
Allergic sensitivity: Many people suffer sensitivity to certain foods and the environment around us. An examination of the blood vessels in the whites of the eyes shows iridologists the existence of these allergies.
Lymphatic health: Lymphatic health is connected to the respiratory system, and problems may be visible during an examination of the iris. A trained iridologist will be able to recommend a regimen of natural treatments to help boost your lymphatic system.
When combined with these other healing methods, iridology can also detect conditions such as:
Constipation
Insomnia
Skin Conditions (eczema, psoriasis, rosacea)
Hay Fever
Sinus issues
Infections
Arthritis
Depression
Low Energy
Discharges
Asthma
Colic, Diarrhea
Fevers, Cold, Flu
Chronic Fatigue
Irritable bowels
Chronic stress
Food intolerance
Hormone imbalances
Migraines
Although the practice of iridology is fairly new, it has the potential to play a major part of wellness industry diagnostics. Investing in iridology reading is a simple, inexpensive way to receive vital information about the state of your body, mind, and spirit.
When we realize all of these aspects of our being are interconnected, combining iridology with other natural remedies has the potential to transform our current healthcare system by embracing methods of prevention, body detoxification, and holistic well-being.
Final Thoughts
Undoubtedly, iridology is a tremendously important diagnostic tool of bodily health that has been utilized by skilled naturopaths for over a century.
The science behind iridology is based on the understanding that in the micro, we can see the macro, and vice versa (as the hermetic principle goes, “as above, so below”). Indeed, our eyes are not only windows to our souls but also our bodies.
To take our power back and be accountable for our own healing, it is important to embrace preventative measures when it comes to health, as opposed to being at the mercy of the medical healthcare system once we feel too victimized by our state of health and disease.
Iridology can help us do just that – as can medical astrology, another one of my favorite health diagnostic tools!
Because of my deep understanding of various naturopathic diagnostic tools, I can help you pinpoint your health issues and prescribe a customized dietary protocol that will reverse any chronic ailments. Get in touch for a health and wellness consultation today!
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