Iridology - An Introduction
Eyes have long been referred to as the “Windows of the Soul.” But few people are aware of just how true this observation is. Accurate analysis of iris structure and pigmentation provides information about you or your clients that is hard to find through other methods. This information is so valuable that Iridology deserves to become a widely practiced assessment tool in both the physical and psychological health fields.
There are a multitude of factors that influence our health and personality, and many of these factors are reflected in the iris. Look closely at your eyes in a mirror, and then at the irises of those around you. You will see many different patterns of iris fibers and colors. Like fingerprints or faces, no two are exactly alike, and neither are we! The iris structure is so unique it is now being used for security identification at ATM machines and airports. Microsoft’s “house of the future” will use an eye scanner to identify residents and unlock the door.
The Health Status Equation
In order to fully appreciate what the iris reveals, let’s first consider this equation:
HEALTH STATUS = PHYSICAL INHERITANCE + ENVIRONMENT (Diet, lifestyle, etc.) + EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL FACTORS + AGE.
We all inherit certain combinations of physical traits. We can observe some of these origins from our family tree, but how much this specifically affects you? Diet and lifestyle have a great impact on some people, but why are others able to get away with abusing their bodies? Which mental and emotional aspects significantly affect our physical health? And as we get older, we lose our resiliency at different rates. What is our individual rate?
Iridology takes a lot of the guesswork out of these questions. Going through life without this information is like taking a trip without a map. What are your chances of arriving at your desired destination? Will you get there efficiently, or end up taking many detours along the way? And how will you know where you are heading next?
Using the road map or blueprint contained in the iris, you can find out how well you are put together (and how much abuse your body can handle), where your body will tend to get sick, (including which organ systems are at greater risk), what specific underlying reasons contribute to your symptoms (which may vary from person to person with the same symptoms), and what emotional or behavioral factors are influencing these patterns. In short, it can show you where you came from, where you are headed, what kind of body you have for a vehicle, and what type of driver you are. With this knowledge, you can more effectively approach health challenges and also identify which preventive medicine practices would be most important for you to pursue.
How did this get started?
While eyes have been a focus in civilizations throughout the ages, “modern” Iridology got its start just over 100 years ago. In the late 1800’s, a physician from Hungary and another from Sweden began observing eyes and organizing their findings. This process of observation and correlating has been slow, but it established a foundation for others to build on. The first book on Iridology in America, by an emigrated Austrian physician, was printed in 1904. This was followed by the works of N.D.s and other naturopathic oriented M.D.s.
Progress was difficult, working with limited magnification and photography equipment. Then with the emergence of the AMA, other political and economic influences, and the advent of “miracle” drugs, almost all natural medicine practices declined in this country. Credit goes to Dr. Bernard Jensen for single handedly keeping Iridology alive in North America. IIPA has honored him several times in recognition of these efforts.
In Europe, a different political and economic climate created an environment which has allowed Iridology (and other natural medicine practices) to evolve. The International Iridology Practitioners Association (a non-profit organization) is working to make the more modern European research available and to update current teachings.
Written by Bill Caradonna, R.Ph., N.D.