Iridology

What is Iridology (pronounced eye-ri-dology)?

Iridology is the examination and analysis of the delicate structures of the iris of the eye. The iris is that portion of the eye that carries the color. The sclera is the white portion of the eye. 

Purpose:

Iridology is not a medical exam or a diagnosis of disease. This methodology is used to compare an individual’s strengths to their weaknesses in order to help the client make healthy lifestyle changes, if necessary. The individual’s strengths and weaknesses can be interpreted through the connective tissue of the irises, including structure, pigmentations and accumulations. The iris analysis can uncover hereditary predispositions to degenerative conditions. 

Iridology can show inherent weaknesses, inherent strengths and degree of nervous system sensitivity, as well as, tissue inflammation, lymphatic system congestion, and toxins and their location, to name a few. Iridology cannot show, for instance, blood pressure levels, diseases by names, if hair is falling out and why, nor whether a tumor is present. It is a valuable tool for preventive healthcare.

Iridology is not a standalone analytical tool, it is typically used in conjunction with other resources such as a client’s health history. 

History:

According to archeological data from more than three thousand years ago in India and China, there was a great deal of attention to the investigation of eyes and iris changes.

The famous King Tut’s priest, El Ax, is ascribed to be an ancient iridologist. The Cairo Museum has a display of painted ceramic eyeballs, complete with markings on the iris and sclera.

Have you noticed how our eyes reflect the full spectrum of the rainbow’s color, the great variety of shades that occur in the iris? So how do we come to call the color part of the eye the Iris? Possibly from Greek mythology where Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, and she was also the messenger of the gods in the Iliad.

Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine,” born in approximately 460 BC in Greece on the island of Kos, said, “Inquiries are to be made and symptoms are to be noted, those in the whole countenance, those on the body and those in the eyes.”

In the year 1670, the physician Philippus Meyens, was the first in modern history to publish a work on iridology. In his book, Physiognomia Medica, he described the division of the iris according to organ regions of the body.

Iridology rose in the 1800-1900s, inspired by Ignatz von Peczely of   Hungary, Nils Liljequist of Sweden, and various Germans and Americans. The   most notable American was Dr. Bernard Jensen, known as the “father in   iridology” in America, 1908-2001. He was a renowned proponent of alternative health care methods. He owned the Hidden Valley Health Ranch in Escondido,   California, where he saw more than 350,000 patients and reported dramatic   changes in their health through proper nutrition during a 50-year period. Now   holistic health care professionals worldwide actively practice Iridology.

Today, Ellen Tart-Jensen, Ph. D., D. Sc., C.C.I.I. carries on the work of Dr. Jensen.