Iridology is a method of uncovering potential health conditions by examining the coloured area of the eye, known as the iris.
While it has been practiced in various forms for hundreds of years, modern iridology takes advantage of both digital imaging and manual techniques to help determine a patient’s overall health level.
What is Iridology?
Iridology is the practice of studying the iris of the eye – such as patterns and colors – to determine information about a patient’s health as a whole.
To make these observations, trained professionals called iridologists use iris charts. This divides the iris into zones that represent certain parts of the human body.
Example of an Iridology Iris Chart
Iridology was first popularized in 1881 by Dr. Ignatz Von Peczley in his book Discoveries in the Field of Natural Science and Medicine, where he published the first iridology chart. Subsequently, Dr. Bernard Jensen compiled one of the first modern charts in 1950.
The practice is more commonplace in Europe than in North America, but is growing in its adoption. A study involving 800,000 patients discovered that iridology can be an effective form of diagnosis in as many as 85% of cases.
What Does an Iridologist Do?
A trained iridologist can recognize and identify patterns in nerve bundles known as trabeculae which are pervasive in the iris. These nerves display information relayed by the oculomotor nerve from various organs and systems in the body to give an indication of their state of health.
When examining a patient’s eyes, an iridologist will generally look at:
- Iris colour
- Brightness (i.e. lightness or darkness)
- Placement and shape of the trabecular fibers
- Rings and other discolourations/shadings in the white part of eyes
With this information in hand, an iridologist will compare these findings against a chart indicating potential health concerns which have triggered changes in the iris. They will also take measurements over time to track changes indicating the progression or regression of an ailment.
So which conditions can iridology be used to detect? Let’s take a look at how the practice can be used to detect common ailments that may not otherwise present symptoms.
What Does an Iridology Appointment Look Like?
10 Conditions That Iridology Can Detect
Hypertension. The presence of a ring around the iris can be indicative of high blood pressure evidenced by a slow metabolism. Hypertension can lead to a host of problems if not caught early and an experienced iridologist can help to identify it.
Hyperthyroidism. An overactive thyroid can frequently be deduced by eyes that appear to bulge slightly, something that an iridologist can detect and compare to a chart to identify related issues. This condition can cause symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, weight loss and trouble sleeping.
Liver damage. A trained iridologist can identify liver damage from brown spots in the liver section of the iris. This can sometimes present symptomatically as emotional issues such as depression, and if caught at an early stage a treatment regimen can in many cases prevent progression and further damage to this vital organ.
Gallbladder issues. By examining the eye for signs of jaundice – a yellowing of the white of the eye – an iridologist can potentially detect gallbladder and bile duct issues which can ultimately affect liver function.
Inflammation. As the iris is broken down into different sections corresponding to particular body zones, iridologists can identify certain indicators of inflammation in those specific areas. Inflammation can be a precursor to many serious disorders, so it’s important that they are identified early.
Weakened immune system. When white markings are present in the iris, an iridologist may interpret this as a weakened immune system. Immune-boosting regimens can be recommended as a way of strengthening the system so that the patient is not susceptible to illness.
Speak With a Professional About an Iridology Appointment
Digestive issues. Problems with the digestive system, particularly the stomach and intestines, can present themselves via discolorations around the pupil. The iridologist may be able to determine that there are underlying digestive causes to other seemingly unrelated health issues.
Allergic sensitivity. Environmental and food allergies and sensitivities can often present themselves to the iridologist as blood vessels appearing in the whites of the eyes. By measuring this against other indicators in the iris, a trained iridologist can frequently determine the nature of the allergy or sensitivity and recommend remedial actions.
Lymphatic health. Problems in the lymph system can usually be identified at certain junctures depending on their interaction with the lung and heart. As the system depends on lung function for the removal of toxins, this can, in turn, affect the respiratory system.
High cholesterol. A white ring circling the iris can be indicative of both high cholesterol and arteriosclerosis, which can be symptomatic of a poor diet.
Iridology is a non-invasive way of reading signals from the body to indicate where health concerns may lie.
While it can’t necessarily diagnose diseases, it’s extremely useful for understanding which areas of the body the health practitioner should pay attention to and which parts may be at risk for the development of certain ailments.
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