Iridology - is
the study of the coloured part of the eye (called the iris) to determine potential health problems. Iridologists believe that
changing patterns and markings in the iris can be used to reveal emerging conditions in every part of the body and to identify
inherited weaknesses that may lead to physical and emotional disorders.
Iridology is a preventive practice that helps people to understand their basic health issues so that they can seek
treatment, if necessary, from the appropriate specialist. According to iridologists, if a health problem is detected at an
early stage, something can then be done to prevent it from becoming a full-blown disease.
The idea that the eyes are a mirror to the body is an ancient one: The Greek physician Hippocrates was known
to examine patients' eyes for signs of illness. It wasn't until 1670, however, that the first actual medical reference to
iridology as a diagnostic tool appeared in German physician Phillipus Meyens' book Chiromatica Medica.
In the late-19th century Hungarian physician Ignatz von Peczely and Swedish clergyman Nils Liljequist independently
advanced theories connecting the markings of the iris with tendencies toward specific ailments. Both men's interests stemmed
from experiences in their childhoods.
As a boy, Peczely accidentally broke the leg of an owl and then noticed a black mark that subsequently appeared
in the bird's iris. Later, in his medical practice, he noted similar marks in the eyes of his human patients who'd suffered
a fracture. For his part, Liljequist contracted malaria in his teens and was treated with quinine and iodine. As the drugs
accumulated in his system, he noticed that his blue eyes were turning a darker colour. After he later became a homeopath,
he found similar reactions in his patients as well.
How Does It Work?
The basis of iridology is a holistic concept well accepted in other fields of alternative medicine, namely that
when examined correctly, each part of the body contains information about other parts of the body. In chiropractic medicine,
for example, misalignments in the spine are used to diagnose and treat diseases of the internal organs. In Chinese medicine,
examinations of the pulse and tongue are regularly included in the diagnostic process. Iridolgists believe that as a degenerative
disease slowly develops, the iris will reflect these changes.
What You Can Expect
The iridologist will examine the irises of your eyes using either a slitlamp (an expensive piece of equipment
also employed by optometrists and ophthalmologists) or just a penlight and magnifying glass. Many iridologists will also obtain
photographs of your iris with a specially designed camera, then considerably enlarge the photos so that the iris appears about
the size of a dinner plate. (This can be a rather dramatic sight, allowing you to appreciate the complexity of the iris's
structure. With its numerous fibers and colors,
The examination and consultation typically will last about an hour.
For
more information about iridology please visit:
The
Guild of Naturopathic Iridologists at www.gni-international.org
Guild
of Naturopathic Iridologists, 94 Grosvenor
Road, London SW1V 3LF Tel 020-7834 3579
International
Association of Clinical Iridologists, 853 Finchley Road, London
NW11 8LX
The
Holistic Iridology Association, 90 Tudor Drive, Morden, Surrey
SM4 4PF
The National Council for Hypnotherapy, Hazelwood, Broadmead, Sway, Lymington,
Hants SO41 6DH Tel 01590 683770
