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Definition:
One of many pseudo-scientific alternative medical practices, iridology
involves examining the iris of a person's eye in an attempt to diagnose
a person's illnesses. According to iridologists, every organ of a
person's body has some corresponding location in the iris, such that
problems with the organ will produce corresponding effects in the iris.
Iridology was created in the 19th century by Ignatz Von Peczely, a
Hungarian physician, and although traditional stories suggest that he
did so based upon empirical evidence, no such evidence exists today. At
best, supporters point to anecdotes because no controlled, scientific
experiments prove their claims. Iridology is very similar to reflexology
in methods and premises.
It has long been said that the eyes are the window to the soul. The
practice of iridology uses the eye as a window or roadmap for the entire
body. Iridologists study the patterns on the iris (the pigmented area
surrounding the pupil) of the eye. These patterns are a blueprint of
sorts, with certain patterns correlating to specific physical strengths
and weaknesses.
According to Mary Rupard, iridologist, herbalist, and owner of Herbal
Connection, in Culpepper, Virginia, iridology can be a great tool for
detecting weaknesses or pinpointing early symptoms of a condition. "We
can actually see it [disease] before the person starts having the
problem…It may not bother you now, but 10 or 15 years down the
road...you're going to have a problem."
This can be especially significant with autoimmune disease, since it is
known that inherited genes can be a factor in developing these chronic
illnesses. Also, since many patients with autoimmune disease find that
their doctors have difficulty diagnosing their illness because of the
wide range of symptoms, iridology may give some general idea of where
the real problem lies.
Rupard warns, however, against expecting an iridologist to provide you
with a diagnosis. "People [should] not go to an iridologist and expect
miracles or expect an iridologist to tell them what disease they
have…people ask us to do that all the time." The true purpose of
iridology is to pinpoint the areas of weakness in the body and assess
how specific nutrition and lifestyle changes may promote mental,
emotional and physical health.
How can iridology help you if you have already been diagnosed with an
illness? Rupard, like many other iridologists, is also an herbalist. She
uses her 15 years of experience to assist clients in dealing with
various maladies by suggesting herbs that replenish areas where the body
is deficient as a way of restoring health. She has had a great deal of
success with clients suffering with diabetes and arthritis, as well as
high blood pressure, cancer, and colon disorders. Rupard stresses the
importance of working with your doctor to treat your disease, and making
sure that any herbs you take may be taken safely with medication
prescribed by your physician.
The most important thing to remember, Rupard says, is that each
situation must be handled individually. Your wellness will depend upon
your willingness to change your approach to life. "The age of the person
[will] make a difference. Their lifestyle would be another thing. It's a
change of lifestyle and it definitely depends upon the person and the
illness."
These are only a few of the many alternative therapies currently
available to assist those coping with autoimmune disease. The key is
finding the combination of therapies that will work for you. As Howard
explains it, "If you look at it as a large pie, everybody [each
practitioner] has a section of that pie, but it's about putting it all
together to make the person whole again."
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