What is Iridology?

You may be wondering what is "iridology?"

Well if you've never heard of iridology ("eye-ruh-doll-luh-gee" or "eer-ruh-doll-luh-gee") before, this blog post will provide some insight for you!

There's a saying that goes, "The eyes are the windows to the soul," - Anonymous. Well, in the world of iridology, this practice goes back to the ancient Chaldeans, Egyptians, and Greeks. However, most origin stories will pinpoint iridology to 19th century Hungary and Germany - where it is still widely practiced today. Iridology is the art of analyzing the iris (colored section) of the eyes to identify health concerns that (1) may have affected one's past; (2) is currently affecting one's health now or; (3) will affect one's future. All irises tell a story through distinct patterns that are visible to the naked eye. For example, the iris noted in the picture above shows distinct patterns of light-colored circles going around the iris known as contraction furrows; and patterns of "sun rays" or "bicycle wheels" known as radial furrows going around the pupil (Petersen, 2018). To improve this client's health, an iridologist could recommend ways to decrease stress, incorporate rest in one's health regime, and recommend herbal teas/tinctures/capsules or other health modalities that can boost one's energy levels. This example shows how analyzing the irises of the human eye can be both non-invasive and beneficial when one is curious about their health. And side note, iridology is not limited to humans. There are iridologists who practice on horses, dogs, and cats to improve their health as well!

Iridology is not the same as ophthalmology, where a primary care physician (PCP) can medically diagnose dis-eases affecting the whole eye (e.g., pupil, sclera, and iris). In fact, iridology is looked down upon as a 'quack' modality in the United States (U.S.) healthcare system. As a result of iridology not being recognized as a health modality in the U.S., iridologists do not provide a medical diagnosis for any dis-eases a client may have.

Iridology can help to:

• Show inherited weaknesses

• Focus on areas of the body that may be an issue in the future (e.g., inflammation, etc.), therefore, acting as a preventative measure

• Identify elimination organs that may have a reduced function (e.g., kidneys, liver, bowels, lungs, skin)

• Identify underlying causes of certain symptoms (as most individuals are aware, modern medicine helps to identify symptoms and not underlying causes).

Iridology does not:

• Diagnose any dis-ease

• Determine how long a client can live

• Determine the gender of a client

• Confirm if a client is pregnant

• Confirm if someone has viruses or parasites

Although there are some clients who do not believe in this modality, there have been many studies and breakthroughs throughout the world (e.g., China, Brazil, Germany, etc.) noting the benefits of iridology. Perhaps the most known American iridologist that has been a part of the positive breakthroughs on iridology include Dr. Bernard Jensen (1908-2001), who is responsible for most of the modern updates on iridology studies. Other noteworthy Americans who have carried the torch since Dr. Jensen's passing include his daughter-in-law, Dr. Ellen Tart Jensen; Dr. Robert Morse; and Dr. Shakirah Moore who has been helping the African-American community since 2018.

Credits:

Dr. Dorene Petersen (N.D.), President and Founder of the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS).

Dr. Robert Morse (N.D.), morses.tv

Dr. Shakirah Moore, holisticapalace.com