What is Iridology?
Iridology is the science and practice of eye analysis that reveals a person’s relative state of health. It provides information on genetic weaknesses/strengths, inflammations, toxicity and stresses, which can all provide clues to health problems the person may be having.
Iridology does not identify and diagnose medical diseases; rather it shows the conditions in the body that can or will eventually lead to specific diseases. In this way, Iridology can be of tremendous benefit in preventing disease before it manifests, utilizing the tools of nutrition and lifestyle to direct the body into a higher state of health.
Dr. Bernard Jensen introduced Iridology to North America over 50 years ago, and remains one of the pioneers of this movement. His knowledge came from Europe, where Iridology is extensively integrated and used in the medical system by medical doctors.
Dr. Jensen worked for many years helping people to become healthy and the assisted them with health challenges on his natural health ranch in California. He wrote many books on natural health and nutrition. His protégé and assistant Dr. Ellen Tart studied with him and became his assistant in performing thousands of iris analysis as well as helping him to write his books.
Dr. Ellen Tart was monumental in bridging the gap with what Dr. Jensen had learned and practiced for 50 years and combining it with the European research and studies.
Dr. Bernard Jensen asked Ellen Tart to carrying on his work combining it with the new studies which she has done and in the process she fell in Love with Dr. Jensen’s son, Art, and they married and so Ellen is now Dr. Ellen Tart-Jensen.
An Iridology assessment is just the first step in a person’s natural health program. It reveals the stresses, toxicities and weaknesses of the individual. The next logical step in the process is determining a specific nutritional, botanical (herbal) and lifestyle program that best suits the person. Extensive knowledge of these modalities is critical to the Iridologists “tool box”.
There is an important distinction between a medical doctor and an Iridologist. A doctor diagnoses and treats disease, and is the sole authority on what drugs or surgery may be required according to traditional medical practices. The patient is essentially a passive participant in the process.
An Iridologist however, simply educates the client so they can make informed decisions on what mix of services they need. The nature of health care is changing and many people with chronic, degenerative diseases are taking more responsibility for the course of their recovery program.
It has become apparent that genetic, environmental, mental/emotional, and nutritional factors lay the dominant roles in formation of chronic disease.
The Iridologist therefore, plays more of a “coaching” role by educating the client in how the body works, how to make healthy food choices, and by making full spectrum of products and services available to that person to assist them in their program.
An Iridology assessment is just the first step in a person's natural health program. It
reveals the stresses, toxicities and weaknesses of the individual. The next logical step
in the process is determining a specific nutritional, botanical (herbal) and lifestyle
program that best suits the person. Extensive knowledge of these modalities is critical
to the Iridologists "tool box".
There is an important distinction between a medical doctor and an Iridologist. A
doctor diagnoses and treats disease, and is the sole authority on what drugs or surgery
may be required according to traditional medical practices. The patient is essentially a
passive participant in the process.
An Iridologist however, simply educates the client so they can make informed decisions
on what mix of services they need. The nature of health care is changing and many
people with chronic, degenerative diseases are taking more responsibility for the
course of their recovery program.
It has become apparent that genetic, environmental, mental/emotional, and nutritional
factors lay the dominant roles in formation of chronic disease.
The Iridologist therefore, plays more of a "coaching" role by educating the client in
how the body works, how to make healthy food choices, and by making full spectrum of
products and services available to that person to assist them in their program.
This trend will have a positive impact of the health care system because it will begin to
reduce the need for expensive procedures, elevate the baseline health of participating
individuals, and introduce the "ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure" truism to
the health care field.
For more insight into how Iridology can make you live a healthier, happier life, click here to view a blip.tv video by instructor Kianna Smith.
Who should learn Iridology?
Iridology is a handy tool for massage therapists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, nurses, colon hydrotherapists, natural and holistic health practitioners, energy healers; anyone whose work concerns the health and well-being of others. Iridology allows you to really see which areas in which you need to help your patient focus to maintain optimal health. Anyone in the health field would find an Iridology course taught by an IIPA certified instructor a valuable tool for helping others.
How long has Iridology been practiced?
Iridology has been practiced since the 1800’s
Hungarian Dr. Ignatz Von Peczley was the first Iridologist to have made a chart, or “map” of the iris, illustrating how it corresponds to the physical body. Since then, Iridology has been researched, studied and thoroughly documented throughout the European countries and Russia. A majority of Iridology research was performed in Germany, where Iridology is used by physicians as a means of identifying genetic health tendencies and current states of the body systems by examining the nerve reflexes in the iris.