Tag: alternative healing methods

Reuben Schwartz: Amish Iridologist

I first heard about Reuben Schwartz a long time ago, but life got busy, and the knowledge slipped my mind. Then, my brother mentioned him again.

This time, I did my homework. I researched and found incredible things about this man. However, securing an appointment with him wasn’t easy—it required patience, which, as they say, is a virtue.

By the time we saw Mr. Reuben, we had been on our Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome (OMS) journey for almost a year. Sadly, H had been struggling just a few months prior. From April to June 2018, he had been in a wheelchair. That June, we saw our first naturopathic doctor—an eye-opening experience.

I’ll share more about that treatment in another post. By the time we reached Mr. Reuben, H was out of the wheelchair but still unsteady. I was curious. Everything I read about Reuben was overwhelmingly positive.

My Experience

I won’t go into much detail about H’s diagnosis because he’s not old enough to share his thoughts. However, I will say this: two men—one formally educated and brilliant, and another self-taught within his community—came to the same conclusion about H.

Getting an Appointment

To book an appointment with Mr. Reuben, you must write him a letter. That’s the only way to secure a spot. You can show up, but priority is given to those with appointments. If you arrive without one, you risk not being seen, as he has a limited number of people he sees each day.

If you have general questions about my experience, feel free to email me at barefootfaithjourney@gmail.com.

Address:
Reuben Schwartz & Jake Shirk
1205 Radure Rd.
Hestand, KY 42151

A Heads-Up Before You Go

My GPS led me down the wrong driveway, straight to a house at the end of the road. Turns out, it was Reuben’s son Abraham’s home. Such a kind young man! He and his family were incredibly sweet. He pointed me in the right direction—Reuben’s place is the first house on the left with a full-length front porch. The building is relatively new compared to the others. Be aware: once you get into Amish country, cell service is nearly nonexistent.

Walking In

Pulling up and parking in the grass gave me a moment to take it all in. A couple sat on the porch with their children, waiting for their turn. They’d been coming to Reuben for years—even before they had kids—and now they brought their family for yearly checkups.

Inside, the waiting area was full. While walk-ins are allowed, appointments take precedence. Mr. Reuben has a set number of people he sees daily, so plan accordingly.

H explored while I filled out his paperwork. I had no intention of getting my eyes checked, but God had other plans.

Meeting Mr. Reuben

Mr. Reuben came to the door and called us back. He was tall and thin, with a striking white beard and piercing blue eyes. He smelled of Melaleuca and love.

Curious, I asked how he got into Iridology. He laughed, explaining that it had been a part of his community for as long as he could remember. Ironically, he once believed it was witchcraft and stayed far away. But as he witnessed countless healings, his interest grew. When he dug into its history and saw its impact, he fully embraced the practice.

Looking Into H’s Eyes

Though he knew H’s diagnosis, he had never heard of OMS. Imagine trying to explain YouTube to an Amish man—I got nothing but a blank stare! We both laughed at the absurdity of it.

When he examined H’s eyes, he immediately saw signs of parasites. I had just taken H to St. Augustine, where parasites had also been identified. Reuben could see the scarring left behind by the dead ones and the presence of active ones.

Then, he smiled and said, “Your son is not going to die. We’re going to get rid of these parasites.” He assured me that with the right herbs, supplements, and the therapies we had begun at SonRidge, H would stop shaking.

I was in awe. Two men—thousands of miles apart—had come to the exact same conclusion.

Then, It Was My Turn

I decided to let Reuben look into my eyes. All he knew was my name.

The first thing he said? “When did you have your uterus removed?” I told him it had been a year ago.

Then he asked, “You still have your ovaries, right?”

I nodded, then asked how he knew. He pointed to my eyes.

Then, he backed away and stared at me.

After a pause, he said, “Uh, ma’am… your ovaries… well, they are angry.”

He asked if I had trouble sleeping, mood swings, etc. When I confirmed, he assured me he could help.

Then, he pinpointed my dizzy spells (I was diagnosed with Meniere’s at 19), my high blood pressure, and my stress levels. He saw everything. I was blown away.

Herbs & Supplements

Reuben’s herbs and supplements are not cheap, but they last a long time. If he doesn’t have something, there’s a shop called Mountain Air Herbs at the end of the road where you can find what you need. Unlike Reuben, they accept credit cards. The staff is friendly and will offer guidance on what’s necessary and cost-effective.

Payment

Mr. Reuben does not charge for his services. However, he has a donation box in his office. If you feel led, you can leave a donation for his time. Herbs and supplements, however, are not free, and they only accept cash.

If you return for a refill, bring your empty bottle—his staff will refill it for you. The Amish prioritize sustainability and care deeply about the environment. They also sell homegrown vegetables, popcorn, jams, and other goods in the office.

Final Thoughts & Disclosure

I am not a doctor. Everything I know about Iridology is based on reading, asking questions, and personal experience. I am not advising anyone to take the same path we did with naturopathic doctors, nor am I telling you to ignore your primary doctor or stop taking medications.

This is purely my experience—what I have seen in my own body and my son’s journey with OMS. We continue to seek care from our PCP and Neurologist. Always research for yourself, seek medical advice, and make an informed decision. All opinions are my own.