Overview:

Iridology is the scientific practice which involves correlating the markings and patterns of the iris to reflex manifestations and bodily malfunctions among the many organs of the body. By studying the eye, doctors can reveal a patient's overall degree of health, as well as his or her apparent inherent weaknesses. In this alternative medicine technique, the eye is perceived as the gateway to the body whereby its condition reflects the overall condition of the patient.

Description:

The word "iris" is Greek and means "rainbow" or "halo." The iris is the colorful portion of the eye that surrounds the pupil. When we think of the eye, the most distinctive feature we visualize vividly is none other than the iris. This science has some aspects of an art because of the brilliant array of colors that the irides (plural for iris) offer.

Surprisingly, iridology is one of the oldest forms of alternative medicine. The idea of iridology, if not its practice, is more than 2,000 years old. The idea is found discreetly in the Bible in the sixth chapter of the book of St. Matthew, verse twenty-two.

Iridology was "rediscovered" by two European men in the 19th century. Together, these two share the title of "father of iridology." These men were Hungarian Ignatz von Peczely and Swedish clergyman Nils Liljequist.

Legend has it that in 1837, Von Peczely captured an owl in the family garden. In an effort to escape, the owl fractured its leg (or perhaps Von Peczely accidentally broke the owl's leg). Either way, Ignatz soon noticed a streak or line begin to develop in the owl's eye after it had been injured. According to the traditional story, this line became a black spot at the 6:00 (six o'clock) position of the owl's iris. The iris mark was in a position that the iris chart (both Von Peczely and Liljequist made separate but strikingly similar iris charts that matched eye markings with specific body parts) said corresponded to the leg. Peculiarly, although the charts for the left and right irides are similar, they are not identical.

When Von Peczely examined a man with a similar marking in his iris, Von Peczely suddenly recollected his encounter with the owl. Fascinated by his findings, he began research and investigation into what is now called modern iridology. Thus, a man's strange encounter with an owl directly led to the onset of the formation of the science of iridology.

Iridology represents a holistic approach to health care because it attempts to analyze and diagnose weaknesses in all of the tissues of the body. The eye is seen merely as an instrument unlocking the many clandestine symptoms of the body. Just like a throat culture, thermometer, or a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure instrument) reveal the body's overall condition and can give clues as to what specific organs are hindered, so too does the iris of the human eye. On the iris chart, the brain areas are represented at the top while the feet are at the bottom, and the bowel area is on the inside while the skin is on the outside (see charts and diagrams).

An iridologist really analyzes the iris, rather than making a full diagnosis (this task is left up to physicians). There are no iris markings or colors that are uniquely associated with a particular disease state. By definition, iris analysis is: To discern by observation of the irides the various stages of tissue inflammation-acute, subacute, chronic, and degenerative-and where the inflammations are located.

Iridology is in sync with Hering's Law of Cure, which was deveoped by the Homeopaths, This law states that 'All cure starts from within out, from the head down, and in the reverse order as the symptoms appeared,' in treating our chronic illnesses. Iridology uses iris analysis to determine how a patient should go about enacting a reversal process which involves a remission of the troubles and illnesses which exist at the present in the patient's body and which have been exerienced in the past.

The iris contains hundreds of nerve ending which are attached to the optic nerve, the base of the brain, and all of the tissues of the body. Therefore, the neural circuitry of the eye is able to express the continuity of the body, an integrated unit composed of various cells which all communicate with the irides about their overall wellness. Weaknesses in body tissues or organs often show up in the eye before they show up in medical tests

Iridologists map out a person's eye and compare this chart to the iris charts developed by Von Peczely, Liljequist, and Dr. Bernard Jensen, a renowned U.S. iridologist and nutritionist. The iridologist then interprets the person's mapped out eye chart and analyzes the individual's colors and markings. Indications of dangerous tissue alterations are transmitted to the eye and can be discerned and interpreted by an iridologist. An opthalmoscope is often used by an iridologist to focus bright light in the eye.

Iridology is mainly a preventitive medicine because it can warn a doctor of a person's apparent tendency toward disease. If a person is potentially approaching an illness, this will show up in an examination of his or her iris. A person's progress can also be expressed by the iris. Cleansing and healing of the body can be verified from changes in the iris. A patient who undergoes iridology should have irides that look significantly different after analysis and treatment.

Iridology works conjunctively with nutrition, herbal medicine, orthomolecular medicine to make sure that a patient is getting his or her appropriate dose of nutrients, minerals, organic elements, enzymes, vitamins, and the proper pH in the stomach. Every disease is considered the result of a chemical shortage. There are certain mineral deficiencies which are associated with specific markings in the iris, such as zinc, calcium, phosphorus, as well as a lack in niacin or folate. An iridologist might suggest what foods a patient should eat to obtain the nutriens that he or she really needs; a person's diet is discussed and may need to change in order for he or she to curb certain risk factors. In addition, a stong constitution of the iris can reveal a person's genetic factors that affect his or her likeliness for developing a particular disease. It is valid that some portions of a person's heredity can be revealed by the striations of the iris.

According to iridology, the main chemical needs of the body organs and organ systems are:

thyroid-potassium bowel-chlorine heart-oxygen, iron kidneys-magnesium spleen-silicon adrenals-iodine liver-zinc (trace) pituitary gland-potassium, chlorine stomach, digestive system-sodium, flourine, copper teeth, bones-flourine, calcium tissues, secretions-sulfur, silicon, oxygen lungs, respiratory system-sulfur, oxygen, iron brain, nervous system-phosphorus, manganese skin, circulation-chlorine, sodium nails, hair-flourine, calcium, potassium

X-ray photographs are used to clearly see the iris and computers are now used in mapping out the markings and color of the eye. The Iris Analysis Computer System triples image processing capability. Computers can display the surface of the iris, show elaborate graphs on the iris analysis and show heat zones on the iris. During the examination itself, an iridologist might use a strong light source, a magnifying glass, and possibly a mirror.

A major iris landmark is the autonomic nerve wreath. There are several iris signs that can be visualized on the nerve wreath. They concern the heart, thymus gland, and solar plexus. Several more iris signs are found inside the nerve wreath. These signs represent a portion of the intestinal area and the stomach. The stomach ring is an indicator of the tissue integrity of the stomach wall. This integrity is related to the stomach's acid output.

Irides are basically blue, basically brown, or mixed. A miasmic iris is also called a "dishwater eye" because of its murky, lackluster color. The effect is often from some type of body pollution, such as a medication or environmental toxin.

Application:

Iridology is a holistic medical approach which is always used in cooperation with nutrition, but also sometimes with herbal medicine, orthomolecular medicine, chiropractic medicine and/or acupuncture. Without a proper diet mixed with the appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements, iris analysis would do absolutely no good because of the lack of follow-up treatment on the part of the patient.

Modern medicine's perspective:

Iridology has yet to be given full acceptance and credibility by physicians and the public. To some, it sounds doubtful that the eyes can predict so much information about a person's general health. However, for those who do spend their lives devoted to this science, they find its benefit of holistic healing very rewarding to mankind, even if many still don't believe what they study.

Dr. Jensen's Iridology and Nutrition Class: Information and Research Only by Dr. Bernard Jensen, D.C., Ph.D., copyright 1991, 1997.

Dr. Donald Bodeen 219 New Hackensack Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 (914) 473-3276 Iridologists International 24360 Old Wagon Road Escondido, CA 92027

University of Health Science Drs. Lucy Lee & David Zhu 181 S. Kukui Street #206 Honolulu, HI 96813

Brenda Generali, CNC 1430-B Everett Street Alameda, CA 94501 (408) 365-9011; (415) 566-3231

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