Iridology
By Harriet Di Luzio
This is a case studyconcerning a happily married young
lady, 34 years of age with a bubbly infectious personality
extremely good with people who also loved to chat. You couldn't
fail to like her as she always came with a smile on her
face.
She herself had a responsible job with an international
airline. She thoroughly enjoyed her job, the down side to
which was shift work, including late nights sometimes into
the early hours as she kept delayed passengers informed
and then the extremely early morning starts. Six days on
and three days off was her usual rota.A non-smoker and social
drinker, only at birthdays, Christmas and family occasions.
Her presenting symptoms were recorded by the iris
analysis done at the time, which showed the following: -
- Severe headaches
- Stress rings
- Immune system depletion
- Elimination problems from lymphatic system and digestive
system
- Endocrine weakness /irregular periods
- Exhaustion
- Depleted nervous system
- Indications of insufficient fluid intake
This young lady desperately wanted a baby; she had had
two miscarriages. One pregnancy had resulted in the birth
of a child during her fifth month of pregnancy but baby
died shortly after.
Then 18 months later she had an ectopic pregnancy, which
resulted in surgery at ten weeks, whereupon her right fallopian
tube was removed. She kept her right ovary.
Her Doctor had introduced Folic acid into her regime.
As I gently spoke to her about examining her left then
right iris telling her that I would talk her through what
I found, which was as indicated in the above list, I also
asked her if she was open to suggestions, which she eagerly
said yes anything, such was her desire to be a mother.
The really interesting aspect of Iridology is that by examining
each iris, you get first hand information concerning the
level of toxins in the body, where they are and what bodily
system they are having an effect on.
Here I found there was poor elimination from the bowels,
a poor blood circulatory system leading to both an inefficient
immune and lymphatic system.
My immediate reaction went to dealing with elimination from
the bowels, unless this system began working this young
lady would find things difficult, the added problem was
the lady was always putting off a motion. If she felt the
urge to open her bowels at the work place she said it was
difficult to leave her station as it needed a supervisor
to take over from her, this it appeared was standard practise.
Another aspect of this was that she also neglected having
any form of liquid refreshment for the same reason.
So we discussed her options together and we both decided
that unless the stagnation in the bowel was eliminated from
the body, exhaustion would continue to be a problem. She
readily agreed to be part of her own treatment. The very
next day she brought a pure bristle body brush and began
to enhance the circulation of the blood, with dry skin brushing.
Following this with hot then cold showers she immediately
began to have a spring in her step and actually began to
look forward to the start of her day wherever that was in
her work shift pattern. She also began to take herbs for
the bowels. The herbs in this formula included Buckthorn,
Cascara, Cayenne, Clover, Coughgrass, Dandelion, Ginger,
Liquorice, and Lobelia. I have not included the amounts
of herbs, as this may not be the correct for you the reader,
your practitioner is the one you should consult. However
an immediate effect was felt from this formula and after
a week the severe headaches she had experienced began to
subside. So the initial response to treatment was encouraging
as toxins began to be eliminated.
In iridology there are constitutional strengths and weaknesses
which are seen in the iris. This particular lady was prone
to allergies, swollen glands, skin eruptions, and eye irritations,
calcium deficiency and weak glands namely the thyroid and
adrenals as well as a sensitive nervous system. Therefore
she tended to be somewhat anxious at times. Relaxation appeared
to be something that she didn't do much of, complaining
of not having enough time for most things except work.
So weekly sessions of reflexology began to take place.
The first session was getting to know the feet as some people
find it very odd having their feet touched by another. It
took a little while for the lady to allow herself to relax,
when she did relax it was quite noticeable. All areas of
the feet were tense perhaps in anticipation. I then told
her to drink plenty of water until I saw her next week,
as this would prove beneficial. The following session was
scheduled for a week later with her more tender points being
the thoracic and transverse colon both on the right medial
side. At the end of the treatment and looking pale she asked
for a moment to herself. When she had composed herself she
mentioned that the pervious week, her first session caused
her a headache, but since she'd been seeing me which was
eight weeks now, she'd actually only had one headache whereas
normally she was getting three a week. One could consider
that the herbs were working on one level and the reflexology
on another but both giving their own therapeutic expertise.
Her last period was in March and the next was now 26 days
late. She had done a pregnancy test, which proved negative.
She wanted to know when the best time to start trying for
a baby was. Again I spoke to her about proper dietary habits
and not the odd snack here and there that she would call
a meal. She readily agreed that this was what was still
going on as she had still not managed to get into any sort
of discipline when it came to eating. This I felt was an
area that caused her great anxiety as her constant worry
about when or where she would be, and in what situation
she should find herself in when she may need the toilet.
So continued encouragement whenever she ate better than
she had I wholeheartedly acknowledged.
It's now June and it’s been eight days since her
last relaxing reflexology appointment and still no period.
She had been free of pain until the day before she came;
the pain had come and just went again.
Herbs for the cleansing of the reproductive system were
given these included Squaw vine, Raspberry Leaves, Cayenne,
Golden Seal and Cramp Bark.
Squaw Vine was bought to us via the North American Indians
and is said to be one of the best remedies for preparing
the uterus for child bearing. Along with Raspberry leaves
whose actions include strengthening and toning the tissues
of the womb. Cayenne, which is one of the most useful systemic
stimulants, strengthens the heart, the arteries, as well
as being a powerful circulatory herb thereby regulating
the blood flow. Golden Seal's action is that of a tonic,
astringent, muscular stimulant and as this can stimulate
the involuntary muscles of the uterus it is to be avoided
in pregnancy.
Cramp Bark is both an anti-spasmodic and sedative. It relieves
painful cramps associated with the menstrual cycle, which
our lady had been experiencing in the past. Once again no
amount of the dosage is given here, as you all are so totally
unique that you requirements will of course differ and I
urge you all to consult with your practitioner on these
matters.
Reflexology treatments continued and one in particular
was of great interest to her. Working on her left foot at
the uterus point the lady reported feeling warmth along
what she called her bikini line and she felt this held some
significance. On the right foot as I worked her tender area's
included the lymphatic drainage point, breast and diaphragm.
Reflexology now became fortnightly as her work schedule
changed.
The next session two weeks later found her coming in with
heavy swollen glands.
My thought were that we should still be having weekly session
as the swollen glands were showing me how important it was
to keep regular sessions going in a person with erratic
working hours and the same could be said for the dietary
intake. However her bowel motions have changed to being
very moist so there was a little improvement which showed
the lady things could change when you begin to eat properly.
Continuing to be stressed due to the overwork and the hours
she began thinking about a holiday in two months time. This
was a break through as being one of the hardest things this
lady had ever done, putting herself first.
The realisation had begun as she sensed that if she did
not finally learn to relax her body would always be in a
state of anxiety, which could lead to more severe problems
in the future. It felt to me as a breakthrough had occurred
and the uphill battle was turning itself round. I admire
people who make the decision to change their lifestyle patterns
especially where health is an issue, but I also know that
when the time is right for that individual they will be
ready. We are all individuals with emotions and feelings
that have to be worked through first in our own minds before
we find the path we need to follow, to make our new decision
a success.
Having made that decision helped relax this lady who next
came for her reflexology happily announcing that she'd now
had a period, three months since the last, which had a good
flow and lasted a week. Two days previous she said it was
a hot muggy day and she had felt head pains originating
at the back of her head but felt good at the end of this
reflexology session.
She announced that the reflexology sessions would become
fewer due to work although she had made a conscious decision
to continue coming to collect the herbs for the female reproductive
system, bowel and circulation.
This continued until November when the young lady arrived
feeling extremely tired,
With both feet aching. The only tender areas on her feet
were on the left, these where the kidney, bladder and lower
back. Fluid intake, again we discussed the importance of
the required amount of daily fluids especially water. But
this is not what's on our young lady's mind today. What
she wishes to talk about is the eptopic pregnancy she had
a few years back and has now become worried about the herbs
she is taking and asks if they will interfere with her cycle
if she becomes pregnant. As she feels her biological clock
is rapidly ticking away.
With regards to the herbs interfering with her cycle I felt
she had raised a very valuable point. As I had spoken to
her about this exact point when we first met, I had spoken
of putting a limit on time taking the herbs. Especially
as she was anxious about her biological clock as well as
only having one fallopian tube and so we had agreed in the
April when she first came to me that we would review her
progress at the end of the year.
So now we reviewed the situation and what had been achieved
throughout the year. In March she had a period there was
none again till June. August was 30 days late. In September
the period was 9 days late; in November her period was 18
days late and in December 10 days late.
Her bowels motions have improved with the help from the
bowel herbs, as well as the appearance and texture of her
skin. Reflexology has alerted her to the need to relax the
mind, body and spirit if she wishes to keep her body in
balance.
This lady had also begun to look forward to periods especially
since taking the herbs for the hormone and blood circulation
as she was now minus any pain previously experienced at
such times.
We had discussed the length of time we would spend enhancing
both the endocrine system and the elimination process. We
were now at that point in time and I feel there was a sudden
uncertainty from her when I said that now was the time to
stop all herbs and for her to go forward without any. When
she asked me why I had to state that there are herbs that
are contra-indicated in pregnancy and if her reason coming
to me was to enhance that system, we must also respect the
fact that contra-indications were a consideration that must
not be overlooked.
As she left saying thank you she'd call and let me know
how things go, I really wasn't expecting the call when it
came three months later when an excited scream told me she
was pregnant. Once again we began meeting for her to have
reflexology as a relaxant as well as keeping the nerve and
blood supply enhanced. Final result was a beautiful baby
girl in the December month of that year.
When she got home from hospital I did have a call for help
from her, so I went to her home where it became apparent
that she was worried about bathing baby having not been
shown how to in hospital. So it gave me great pleasure to
give baby her first bath as proud mum looked on, I saw them
both a little while later when all continued to be well.
A list of contra-indicated herbs in pregnancy can be obtained
by reading the British Herbal Pharmacy. If unsure please
ask an herbalist.
About the Author
Harriet Di Luzio
Harriet Di Luzio trained with Farad Davidson in Cambridge
with the British School of Natural Medicine, and later joining
the Guild of Naturopathic Iridologists.
Having also qualified in Reflexology with the Maureen Burgess
School at Barnes Hospital and obtaining her M.A.R. with
the Association of Reflexologists.
Following this Harriet qualified in Massage & Aromatherapy
with the Middlesex School of Complementary Medicine. A member
of the Guild of Complementary Practitioners. Harrriet is
also a qualified Healer.
Available for introductory workshops on the above subjects
please feel free to contact me on 0208 995 9959 or leave
a message on my voice mail on 0208 328 7927 alternately
my email harriet@comweb2001.com
