What is iridology diagnosis?
Iridology (also known as iridodiagnosis or iridiagnosis) is an alternative medicine technique whose proponents claim that patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine information about a patient’s systemic health. Practitioners match their observations to iris charts, which divide the iris into zones that correspond to specific parts of the human body. Iridologists see the eyes as “windows” into the body’s state of health.
Iridologists claim they can use the charts to distinguish between healthy systems and organs in the body and those that are overactive, inflamed, or distressed. Iridologists claim this information demonstrates a patient’s susceptibility towards certain illnesses, reflects past medical problems, or predicts later health problems.
As opposed to evidence-based medicine, iridology is not supported by quality research studies and is widely considered pseudoscience. The features of the iris are one of the most stable features on the human body throughout life.[5][disputed – discuss] The stability of iris structures is the foundation of the biometric technology which uses iris recognition for identification purposes.
In 1979, Bernard Jensen, a leading American iridologist, and two other iridology proponents failed to establish the basis of their practice when they examined photographs of the eyes of 143 patients in an attempt to determine which ones had kidney impairments. Of the patients, forty-eight had been diagnosed with kidney disease, and the rest had normal kidney function. Based on their analysis of the patients’ irises, the three iridologists could not detect which patients had kidney disease and which did not.
COLORS
There are 3 main physical eye types:
● Blue-Eyed Type (Lymphatic): At increased risk for problems with the upper respiratory tract, digestive tract, urogenital tract, lymphatic tissues, joints, kidneys and adrenal gland imbalances.
● Mixed-Eye Type (Biliary): This type has discolorations (usually light brown) on top of a blue background. They are at increased risk for liver related problems, digestive tract problems and allergies.
● Brown-Eyed Type (Hematogenic): This type is predisposed to blood disorders and imbalances of minerals, especially calcium. This type should pay attention to the circulatory system, liver, spleen, bone marrow, digestive system and endocrine glands.
Colors over certain areas on the iris correspond to the area of the body as indicated by the maps. You can then decide what types of changes are occurring.
* White indicates an area of the body working hard to “maintain.”
* Yellow-white indicates an area of the body losing a battle.
* Yellow indicates poor kidney function; yellow sclera (white part of the eye) suggest gallbladder disease.
* Orange indicates problems metabolizing carbohydrates and weakness in the liver and/or pancreas. Glucose levels should be checked.
* Red-brown indicates deterioration.
* Brown indicates poor liver function and “dirty blood.”
* Black indicates dying tissue.
RINGS
There are numerous rings seen in the iris. Here are a few of the main ones.
* Scurf Rim or Ring of Purpose is a dark band around the iris, indicating that the skin is not functioning properly. These people do not sweat easily (lack of detoxification), have increased mucous production and kidney stress. They are “thick-skinned” emotionally.
* Stress Rings or Rings of Freedom look like growth rings on a tree. They indicate neuro-muscular tension and stress. These people tend to be perfectionists and are highly active and accomplishment-oriented.
* Lipid Ring or Ring of Determination is a heavy white ring partially or completely covering the outer edge of the iris. This ring is mostly found in older people, and it is indicative of arteriosclerosis and other cardiovascular problems. It can also indicate problems with the liver and thyroid, and an increased risk of Parkinson’s Disease. These people tend to be stubborn.
* Lymphatic Rosary or Ring of Harmony looks like a tiny ring of clouds around the outer iris. These people have lymphatic congestion and swollen lymph nodes. Perhaps the person with this ring is not getting enough exercise for the particular body parts underlying the ring. These people internalize others’ problems to make everything appear harmonious, as they dislike conflict and tension in their environment.
SPOTS
Spots may “move” across the iris and are believed to indicate deficiencies or a “blocking” of awareness about a particular organ or system.
Examples of Main Iris Markings/Rings
Arcus sclerosis/Sodium ring/ Cholesterol ring
This sign is a result of a chemical imbalance in the body, pertaining to non-organic sodium excess, calcium out of solution, as well as high cholesterol and high triglycerides in the blood. Cholesterol Ring is also a non-specific liver marking. It may transpire when hepatopathies (liver disease), diabetes mellitus or hypo-activity of the thyroid are present.
When there is a problem with the inorganic sodium and excessive fats in the body, there may be hardening of the arteries, calcium spurs and deposits, joint problems and so on. This does not necessarily mean that the blood levels of cholesterol are high but indicates there is an imbalance of fat metabolism. The cholesterol ring is a white, opaque ring that appears around the outer edge of the iris either partially or wholly.
Scurf Rim /Venous congestion rim / Anaemia in Extremities (Venus Congestion-Blue Ring)
This condition is represented by a hazy bluish ring surrounding the outer perimeter of the iris. This indicates a lack of oxygen in the body. Lack of exercise and iron anaemia are common causes. Venus Congestion (Varicose Veins, Haemorrhoids Vein Obstruction) This is a term used by the Iridologist to indicate a lack of circulation to the arms and legs. The legs and feet are the farthest away from the heart. Thus the blood must be returned from the legs against the force of gravity. This is why circulatory problems usually manifest first in the feet and legs.
Vitamins helpful are A, B, B1, C, D, G and Niacin. Minerals include Magnesium, Phosphorus, Silicon, Fluorine, Iodine, Iron, Manganese and Sulfur. Herbs include Capsicum, Butchers Broom and Hawthorn Berries. Cold water leg baths and grass and sand walking as taught by Fr. Sebastian Kneipp are very helpful as is exercise in general. Capsicum can also be rubbed on the hands and legs to be absorbed through the skin and a bath can be taken as well with Capsicum.
Psoric spots
They are the small reddish-brown discolorations in the iris that may be inherited or acquired. These discolorations are referred to as inorganic chemical substances that are deposited in weaker tissues of the body. The areas concerned have less vitality to throw off drug accumulations. These may be relatively harmless but may also irritate the tissues, creating more chronic problems. These discolorations will lighten up in time with continued cleansing procedures.
Poor nerve enervation
As indicated, specific areas that have weakened nerve supply as seen in the autonomic nerve wreath. A poorly defined wreath represents a weakened autonomic nervous system and intestinal insufficiency.
Arcus sinilus / (Brain Anaemia-White Cap)
This shows as a lack of circulation in the cerebral/brain area. When there is a lack of circulation there is also a lack of oxygen, as well as specific chemical elements. Gravity does not help matters at all but it is recommended, if possible, that slant board exercises would benefit this area greatly. Leg “pump” exercises also benefit cerebral anaemia.
Build up the blood with iron-rich foods such as green vegetables, beets, black cherries, black raspberries, liquid chlorophyll and other supplements. Moving to a higher altitude can help. To improve circulation Dr. Jensen recommends slanting board exercises, early morning barefoot walks in dewy grass or on a sandy beach, Kneipp baths, alternate hot and cold foot baths and physical exercises appropriate to the persons age. Physical exercise stimulates increased adrenaline secretion which in turn stimulates faster, deeper respirations, faster heart action and greater oxygenation of body tissues.
Cerebral Anaemia means there is a lack of adequate blood supply to the brain areas for one reason or another. Dietary modifications, exercise, herbs, vitamins, minerals, food supplements and use of a slanting board on a regular basis are very helpful in these cases. Herbs such as Gotu Kola, Capsicum and Ginseng are also very helpful. The vitamin necessary is Niacin.
Scurf Rim
The skin is a very important part of our elimination system, throwing off an average of two pounds of waste per day! It seems that if the kidneys are not functioning properly, it may cause an excess of wastes being eliminated through the skin. This is also true in the reverse. White round flecks known as tophi may be found opposite a dark skin area indicating elimination processes are restricted by poor action of the skin and to compensate there will be catarrhal formation. To keep the skin more active, it is best to find clothing that is not tight fitting. Skin brushing with a vegetable bristle will loosen away dead skin improving elimination.
Lymphatic congestion/Ring of Rosary
The lymph system has many responsibilities in the body. Some of these are: eliminating pathogenic micro-organisms, returning important proteins and fluid to the blood, absorbing fats in slow, safe amounts and taking a most important role in our body’s immune system. The thymus gland, tonsils, appendix, peyer’s patches and spleen are all part of the lymphatic system. When there is congestion, there is a lack of proper circulation of this fluid. Lymph fluid, unlike blood, travels only in one direction and does not depend on the heart for movement. Exercise, especially walking, is the only way to move the lymph fluid along properly. It is noteworthy that the lymph system is a sodium organs
The lymph glands have eight functions.
These functions are;
(1) Neutralizing toxins and poisons
(2) Returning water from tissues to the blood
(3) Returning leaked protein to the blood
(4) Transporting fats in the body
(5) Transporting hormones by the Lymph System
(6) Destructs foreign bacteria
(7) Produces antibodies
(8) Makes up the largest content of fluid in the body; carries more waste than the blood
Herbs such as Garlic, Onion, Pau d’Arco, Golden Seal, Echinacea and other foods containing organic sulfur are beneficial to the Immune/Lymphatic System. Vitamin C is also important to this system. The best way to keep the Immune/Lymphatic System clean is to not suppress any discharge out of the body or any fever the body may develop. A Fever is the body’s Immune System burning out toxins. By using medication to lower a fever we suppress the Immune System. Chlorinated drinking water and chlorinated swimming pools should be avoided as chlorine can also suppress the immune system.
IRIDOLOGY CHARTS
iridology map
Iridology images
iridology-spot-in eye