The first alternative practitioner I visited after being diagnosed with fibroids in 2009 was an iridologist. I wasn’t sure what that meant but he came highly recommended and I was eager for answers. After an hour-long test, he sat me down and explained some problem areas. Then he recommended some dietary changes, and one, in particular shook my world: he asked me to get off wheat. Now, let me tell you a little about my diet at the moment. I lived in India, and Indian food is all about its rotis and parathas (Indian breads eaten with most vegetable and lentil preparations). I LOVED them! Ate them for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Yum yum yum.

(Yes there’s rice but at that time I hated rice and hardly, if ever ate it.)

So I stared at him dumbly and asked “So what will I eat then?”

That was the beginning of my journey into nutrition. Learning that there were other ways of eating, alternatives that would serve me better…

Anyhow I digress.

I didn’t get a chance to explore this fascinating science further at that time, but my curiosity was definitely piqued.

Cut to 2012.

Almost three years later, I had the opportunity to understand iridology a little better. A workshop I attended  recently by the beautiful Samadhi Keever from InJoy Healthcare “opened my eyes” to this fascinating world. I’m going to share what I learnt plus some other info I dug up online.

What Is It?

So we’ve heard that our eyes are the window to our soul, but turns out that they’re the window to the body as well. Iridology literally means diagnosis by examination of the iris of the eye. Dr. Samadhi took us through a variety of different iris-photographs to explain how certain bodily disorders reflect in the iris. It involves analyzing the patterns, color and characteristics of the iris to determine an individual’s overall systemic health. Iridology provides information on areas like genetic weaknesses/strengths, inflammation, toxicity, and stresses which can all provide clues to either reverse imbalances to prevent them for taking place. Every area in the iris and the eye in general represents different parts of the body. Any abnormality, therefore, reflects in specific areas of the iris/eye.

The Three Colors

There are three iris colors and each one is predisposed to certain tendencies. However please keep in mind that eye color is just one of the factors that iridologists take into account for diagnosis. Iridologists warn that eye color does not mean that patients have these disorders, but that they may have a predisposition to develop them.

1. Lymphatic (blue eyes)
   Vulnerabilities: mucous, skin, kidneys and lymph systems
   The skin and kidney functions are deeply inter-related. If the skin is not allowed to breathe properly (not allowed to sweat, too much application of body lotions) then it does not secrete toxins out completely. These in turn circulate back and stress the kidneys, causing them to weaken).
   Food recommendations:
   Mucous: ginger, cayenne pepper, lemon, grapefruit, horseradish, turnip
   Skin: whole grains, onions, asparagus, celery, apples, corn, sprouts
   Kidneys: parsley, watermelon, cucumbers, pomegranate, ginger
   Lymph: celery, okra, tomatoes, coconut, figs, strawberries
2. Biliary
   Vulnerabilities: pancreas, gall bladder, liver and colon
   The eyes are mixed or hazel/light brown with gold. These have a disposition to biliary or hepatic (liver) troubles, indicated often by orange/brown spots in the iris.
   Food recommendations:
   Pancreas: whole grains, liquid chlorophyll, stevia
   Gall bladder and liver: apples, apple cider vinegar, lemon, beets and carrots with tops, watercress, black cherries, parsley, endive, turnip tops, mustard greens
   Colon: raw sauerkraut, cultured veggies, kombucha, ground flax seeds, chia seeds, all raw vegetables, papaya, yellow squash, winter squash, sweet potatoes, millet, yellow corn
3. Hematogenic (brown eyes)
   Vulnerabilities: blood, vessels, heart and glands
   “Hema” means blood. People with this iris type are predisposed to blood abnormalities and other blood disorders. They have difficulty absorbing and storing minerals. To prevent heart related complications they often need to derive natural oil sources like nuts, seeds etc.
   Food recommendations:
   Blood: red, black and purple grapes, sea weed, watercress, parsley, collard greens, kale, wheat grass, chlorella
   Blood vessels: red cabbage, onions, peppers, buckwheat
   Heart and glands: cayenne pepper, garlic, marjoram, honey, wheat germ, whole grains, all beans, all raw nuts and seeds

@paradoxed and I spent the weekend staring into each other’s eyes. No,not that way. With flashlights, magnifying mirror and all. I’m not sure that was a great idea. I’ll be looking for liver spots and signs of stress during romantic dinners next time. Sigh.

Anyhow, I hope this information inspires you to investigate iridology further. We’ll probably get consultations done soon.

Will keep you posted on this blog! If you’ve had any experience with this or are keen to do so, please share your thoughts and help others out.

Image credits:

Big eye: Flickr

Iridology chart: Irisdiagnosis.com