by Dee McMath

Iridology is the examination of the eyes to detect illness in other parts of the body.

Iridology is the study of the iris (the coloured part of the eye), to reveal your general state of health. Specific areas, shadows and spots on the iris represent the different organs and parts of the body. This alternative therapy was developed by Dr. Ignatz von Peesely, a Hungarian doctor, in the 19th century.

The first time I experienced iridology first hand was at an alternative health fair at the Hotel El Fuerte in Marbella in 1994. The practitioner (who was also an acupuncturist) used a small torch and a magnifying glass and painstakingly studied the patterns in the iris of my eyes and made a drawing, showing every detail of light, shade, etc. From this hour-long study, an analysis was made of my general state of health and specific areas of weakness and strength. All I had to do was keep my eye open, without blinking too much, while he sketched an exact copy of the pattern of lines and shade on the iris of each eye.

Since 1994 there have been many more workshops and conferences on the theme of mind and body awareness. Iridology has especially grown in popularity all along the Costa del Sol and in other areas of Andalucia. Since Marbella and the other main towns along the southern Spanish coast are still the favourite area for many British and other foreigners to live or visit, this is still where you are most likely to find English-speaking practitioners of iridology.

Since Iridology is complimentary to many other alternative treatments, you will find that iridiologists will often practice other therapies too. For example an acupuncturist, chiropractor or a naturopath may be trained in iridology also. Iridology is often offered at holistic clinics or by individual practitioners. Whether in main towns like Marbella or Fuengirola, or further inland towards Granada or even Seville, it is always useful to ask at the local health shop for contact numbers of therapists and centres locally.

Iridology is a diagnostic practice and is intended to give you information on your present state of health, as well as any tendencies you may have towards particular conditions. Inherited factors should also be picked up. The idea is to make you aware of any weak points you may have, so that you can take steps to prevent conditions developing. For example if the corresponding part of the iris shows a weakness in the liver, then you could seek advice as to how to cleanse and reinforce that organ to avoid future deterioration.

Like many alternative methods, iridology should be practiced by a fully trained therapist and if you are in any doubt about the diagnosis, you should visit your own doctor for a second opinion. It is also a good idea to keep your iridology analysis, so that if you follow a treatment to improve a condition, you can track the progress in a future iridology reading at a later date. Eye scans are said to be as individual as fingerprints and your eyes are often described as the window to your soul. You might discover more about yourself with Iridology and even avoid disease developing.

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