Iridology is the scientific analysis of patterns and structures in the iris of the eye which locates areas and stages of inflammation throughout the body. The iris is the portion of the eye showing color. It reveals body constitution, inherent strengths and weaknesses, health levels, and transitions that take place in a person's body according to their way of life. The complex iris is composed of hundreds of thousands of nerve endings which are connected by impulses to every tissue of the body through the brain and nervous system. The nerve fibers, or trabecula, respond specifically to tissue and organ conditions with a corresponding physiological reflex manifested in the iris as lesions and color variations. The iris chart, which is the result of many years of clinical observation and intensive research by Dr. Bernard Jensen and others, represents the basic placement of body organs and tissues similar to a map. Here at SHR, we use a digital USB camera with Led lights to take high resolution pictures and import them into Iridology software. An accurate iris analysis is possible by superimposing a chart over the iris image, thus allowing detailed observation of the valuable and reliable data recorded there. A complete iris analysis will show whether a person exhibits a generally good constitution or a poor one, depending upon the density of the iris fibers, the patterns, structures, colors and degrees of lightness and darkness in the iris tell if an area of the body is inherently strong or weak. It also reveals the relative site of over-activity, irritation, injury or degeneration of the tissues and organs. Toxic accumulation levels can be observed as well as nutritional and chemical imbalances. Iridology will not show or name a specific disease but provides information about the body tissues which indicate tendencies toward conditions of "dis-ease", often before symptoms appear. Iridology will not reveal surgery performed under anesthesia as nerve impulses are discontinued. Iridology cannot locate parasites, gallstones, or germ life, but will indicate the presence of inflammation and toxic conditions that are a refuge for their development. It will not show pregnancy, as that is a normal function of the female body. Iridology is potentially an integral part of preventive health care. It has the ability to forewarn of approaching difficulties or signs of "dis-ease". Iridology can be a powerful tool, allowing one to determine what is transpiring inside the body from a simple, painless, and economical external vantage point. In effect, iridology will reveal how well your body functions. Improper nutrition and lack of exercise undermines the body's integrity until eventually it becomes unable to reverse damaging toxic conditions through its own natural self-healing mechanisms, becoming susceptible to ailments of a chronic nature. Therefore, nutrition and iridology are inseparable in one's pursuit of a healthy way of life and holistic health care program. Iridology helps us understand our weakness so we may strengthen and cleanse our bodies to obtain our maximum health potential. It brings to us an awareness of how to prevent illness, thus allowing us to earn our most precious earthly treasure--vibrant physical, mental and spiritual health! American doctors usually can't tell you the score until the game's over--until you actually have a namable disease, but iridology lets you walk in at the first inning and that's why it will probably play a staffing role in preventative medicine at the bioelectric level, which is well on its way to becoming the medicine of the future. Hippocrates and Philostratus used Iridology around 1000BC. lridology was taught at the Medical School of Salerno and even the Chaldeans of Babylonia left records of Iris markings, with the relevant anatomical reflexes painted onto stone slabs.

Descriptions of iridological principles (without using the word iridology) are found in Chiromatica Medica, a famous work published in 1665 and reprinted in 1670 and 1691 by Philippus Meyeus (Philip Meyen von Coburg).

Modern Iridology began in Hungary in 1861 when Ignatz Peczely found an owl with a broken leg. He noticed a stripe of black in the iris of the owl. After nursing the owl's leg back to health, he released the bird into the wild. At this time, he noticed the stripe of black was replaced with fine, crooked white lines.

Ignatz von Peczely qualified in medicine at the Vienna Medical College in 1867. He continued to study the irises of patients before and after surgery, systematically recording, correlating what he observed. He published his research in the book 'Discoveries in the Realms of Nature and Art of Healing'. His 'Iris Chart' was established in 1880.

Around the same time, a 14-year-old Swedish boy, Nils Liljequist, became severely ill following a vaccination. After he began treatment with quinine and other potent drugs he noticed a change in his iris color. Years later he broke some of his ribs and again noticed a change in his iris color. In 1893 he published over 258 drawings in an atlas depicting his interpretation of the relationship between the iris and the body. The two men's maps were turned out to be similar.

Since these early days in the history of Iridology there have been many noted pioneers in this fascinating field. The German contribution in the field of natural healing is due to a minister Pastor Felke, who developed a form of homeopathy for treating specific illnesses and described new iris signs in the early 1900s. The Felke Institute in Gerlingen, Germany was established as a leading center of iridological research and training. Another German, Joseph Deck (1914-1990) founded the famed iridology research institute in Ettlingen, Germany.

An American medical doctor Henry Lahn (circa early 20th Century), his student Dr Henry Lindlahr (circa early 20th Century) who was both a medical doctor and osteopath and more recently, Dr. Bernard Jensen (1908-2002), the acclaimed naturopathic practitioner who established the modern, American school of iridology further developed the science of Iridology. Jensen insisted on the importance of the relationship between Iris signs and the body's exposure to toxins, and the use of natural foods as detoxifiers to remove them.