Elaine Stavert
Associate Naturopath, Nutritional Therapist, Kinesiology TFH
Nat.Dip, NT.Dip, Cert.BBM, amNNA, RAAHT, mFNTP, amKA, amSoN
The eyes act as ‘windows’ to the whole body’s state of health
Iridology is one of the traditional tools that we use in Naturopathy, along with tongue, nail, hair, skin and also mineral analysis and basic iridology is usually part of Naturopathic Medicine training. If the client wishes, and is able to take photos of their irides, basic iridology can be used as part of Naturopathic Nutritional Therapy Online Consultation. The amount that can be seen, will depend on the quality of the images the client is able to take.
Iridology is the non invasive study of the colour and structure of the iris of the eye (the coloured part) as they relate to the organs, glands and tissues of the body. It is used as an assessment tool in Naturopathic Nutrition to help understand our genetic resilience and constitution.
Iridology has been used in many cultures for assessing potential health strengths and weaknesses for centuries. Iris patterns are unique to each individual and remain constant throughout the lifetime of a person. The structures are so set in fact, that Iris recognition (an automated method of biometric identification) is used at airport security for identification purposes.
There are thousands of nerve endings transmitting their information to your cells, organs and tissues throughout the body to the irises. The eye is an extension of the brain via the optic nerve. I take note of the shape, fibres, pigmentation and other marks and signs in the irises to determine your individual constitution and specific areas that may require attention and nurture depending on your presenting symptoms and predispositions.
Iridology
In iridology, the iris is mapped into segments, like reflexology, with the brain and head areas at the top of the iris, and the lower parts of the body at the bottom.
Iridology may indicate genetic tendencies or potential for: -
-
Nutrient malabsorption in the body, areas of toxicity
-
Distinction between acute, chronic and normal tissues
-
Through colour and genetic patterns, foods a person may have difficulty digesting
-
Nervous system imbalances / how resilient a person may be to stress
-
Inherited weaknesses e.g. connective tissue, organs, endocrine glands, brain areas e.g. hypothalamus, adrenals
-
Constitutional strength
-
Presence or not of degeneration
-
Presence of emotional conditions
-
Tissue acidity, cholesterol, lymphatic congestion
-
Various syndromes or pathologies such as gastrointestinal disorders, hypoglycaemia, blood anomalies
-
It cannot give a diagnosis of disease, specific pathology, pregnancy
There are three main colours of eye, which are the Primary Constitutions.
Brown (Haematogenic), Blue (Lymphatic), Mixed (Biliary)
We then look at Structural Sub-types, the Accumulation Type, and other markings. We also look at the pupil shapes, and if visible from the pictures, the red lines in the whites of the eye (Sclerology), which gives more current information.
How to take a picture of your irides.
Watch this video "How to Take a Photo of Your Eyes" which shows you how to take a picture with your phone. Here is another link CLICK HERE
-
You can take the pictures yourself by using a mirror in the technique shown in the above video - this is not easy to be honest
-
Alternatively, get someone to take the pictures for you
-
Ideally put a camera or phone on a tripod to keep it still, but you can still take good pictures with your phone handheld
-
You could try using a macro lens or feature – Camera+ is a good phone AP that has a macro feature, a good phone camera should be fine though
-
Take a picture in a room without windows, or draw the curtains or in a corridor as the windows or any light will show up in the iris
-
Alternatively sit side-on to windows or cover head with a scarf to avoid glare
-
Best method is to turn off the flash and use a pen light - it takes a much clearer picture especially if you have brown eyes - at an angle to the eye - Costs a few £ on Amazon such as this one PENLIGHT
-
Hold the eyelids open, or widen your eyes as much as you can so the whole of the iris (coloured part) can be seen
-
Take a picture of the whole eye including whites.
-
Look at the forehead between the eyes of the person taking the picture
-
Label the image which eye is which when sending pictures - this is vital as the iris maps are different for each eye, for example the spleen are is only seen in the left eye.
Taking your Iris Pictures
The clearer the picture of your eye, the more I will be able to advise you. Ideally I need to see the fibres (the tiny thin lines) of the iris.
We all have genetic predispositions and just because you may be genetically predisposed to a condition, does not mean you will develop a genetic trait. What you eat, where you live, who you interact with, the chemicals you use in your home or on your body, quality of sleep, how you exercise, how your body detoxifies, may contribute to chemical modifications around the genes that may turn those genes on or off over time.
How we choose to live our lives plays a huge part in whether our genetic tendencies are turned on our off - this is called epigenetics. Knowing our genetic predispositions or tendencies, means we can pay particlar attention to nurturing those areas. Click HERE for more info on Epigenetics.
Iridology does not diagnose, or show specific conditions or diseases, only genetic predispositions and tendencies which may need nurturing.
© Gut Feelings
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” - Hippocrates