Medical, Reuben Schwartz & Jake Shirk Amish Iridologist

Amish Iridology Story

Amish Iridology Story

Amish Iridology

Amish Iridology: A Follow-Up on Reuben Schwartz

 

I receive a significant number of inquiries regarding Amish Iridology and Reuben Schwartz. Given the continued interest, I wanted to provide an updated post. Below, you’ll find additional insights and links to previous posts for a more in-depth look at my experiences.

As always, if you have specific questions, feel free to email me at barefootfaithjourney@gmail.com. I do my best to respond promptly, but if your message lands in spam, please resend it. Life gets busy!


Introduction to Reuben Schwartz

Many years ago, a friend told me about an Amish doctor. Her husband had visited him, and they were planning a follow-up trip. She knew my husband suffered from knee pain (bone-on-bone) and offered to bring back a cream from his office to see if it would help. My husband wasn’t consistent in using it, and I let the knowledge of Reuben Schwartz slip away.

However, God had already planted that seed.

At the time, I never imagined I’d have a medically fragile child with Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome. That wasn’t exactly on my list of life goals.


Then Came My Brother

One day, I was driving home when my brother called me. He doesn’t usually call, so my first thought was that something was wrong. Instead, he had information he thought could help.

He shared what he had read and suggested a few things. Some we had tried, some we had not. Then, he mentioned an Amish man who had helped people.

That reignited the spark in my memory. I asked if he was referring to an Iridologist, and he confirmed it. Years later, the knowledge I once had was coming back to the forefront. I decided to dig deeper.


Research and Calls

I called my friend and refreshed her memory about Reuben Schwartz. She shared what she could remember. Then, I turned to the internet. I found a mix of positive and negative experiences, which is typical for anything. At this point, my son was barely walking, and we had tried numerous treatments—IVIG, Rituximab, ACTH shots, and more. We had also visited Dr. Monahan at SonRidge Health and Healing Center in St. Augustine. I had already stepped outside the conventional medical box, so why not explore this avenue too?


Visiting Reuben Schwartz

When we arrived, my GPS mistakenly took me down a driveway leading to a large house. That’s where I met Abraham, one of Reuben’s 12 children. He lives there with his wife and kids. Abraham kindly redirected us—Reuben’s office is actually the first building on the left, a newer structure.

Inside, there was a bit of paperwork to complete. Reuben didn’t know anything about my son’s condition. He doesn’t diagnose specific medical issues, as he has no exposure to the outside medical world.

The office itself is small but charming. The Amish also sell homemade bread, herbs, spices, and other items. A full-length front porch provides a peaceful waiting area.


Meeting Reuben Schwartz

Reuben is about six feet tall with a white beard and a warm smile. He smelled of melaleuca and kindness. I asked him how he became involved in Iridology, and he shared his journey.

Iridology has been practiced in his community for generations. Initially, he thought it was witchcraft, but as he witnessed people finding healing, he began studying it. The results spoke for themselves. He now believes in its effectiveness and, most importantly, he loves Jesus, which reassured my heart. One of his sons has since taken up the practice as well.


What to Expect from an Appointment

Reuben is not a medical doctor. He does not prescribe conventional medications and does not tell you to stop taking your prescriptions. Instead, he listens, offers advice on diet, and recommends herbal supplements in liquid or pill form. Everything he provides comes from natural sources.

For anything he doesn’t carry, there’s Mountain Air Herbs down the road. They are not Amish but work closely with Reuben. They can also ship herbs if needed (call 270-487-1334).


The Process

In his small office, Reuben uses a crucible and utility flashlight to examine your irises. He notes his findings on paper.

When he examined my son, he identified the same issues that had been detected in a bio-impedance scan—primarily parasites. I was amazed at the accuracy. The entire visit lasted about 15 minutes, though I stayed longer to chat.


My Personal Experience

When Reuben looked into my eyes, he knew nothing about me. Yet, here was our conversation:

Reuben: “You don’t have a uterus, do you?”

Me: “No, sir, I don’t.”

Reuben: “You still have your ovaries, don’t you?”

Me: “Yes, sir.”

He pushed back in his chair, gave me a concerned look, and hesitated before saying, “Your ovaries are angry with you.”

I burst out laughing at how serious he was. He then asked about my moods, depression, and sleep habits. He prescribed something to balance my hormones and improve my well-being.


Cost and Payment

  • Appointments with Reuben are FREE, but he has a donation box in his office. If you feel led, donations are appreciated.
  • Herbs and supplements are NOT free. They can be pricey but last a long time.
  • Some bottles are refillable. The Amish prioritize recycling, so if you return with an empty container, they will refill it instead of selling you a new bottle.
  • Mountain Air Herbs (non-Amish) offers additional supplements and takes credit cards.
  • Be prepared—the liquid supplements taste horrible! I mix them in applesauce to make them more tolerable.

How to Make an Appointment

Reuben does not have a phone, internet, or email. The only way to schedule an appointment is to write a letter. Expect a short reply with a date and time.

Mailing Address:

Reuben Schwartz
1201 Radure Rd.
Hestand, KY 42151

Hours (as of March 2018):

  • Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Saturday: 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Final Thoughts

My experience with Reuben Schwartz was enlightening. While Iridology may not be for everyone, it was an insightful addition to our journey. As always, I encourage you to do your own research, consult your physician, and make informed decisions about your health.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me via email at barefootfaithjourney@gmail.com!


 

 

Medical, Reuben Schwartz & Jake Shirk Amish Iridologist

Looking Into My Eyes Amish Iridologist

Looking Into My Eyes Amish Iridologist

Looking Into My Eyes Amish Iridologist

On the Road Again: Back to the Amish Iridologist

In Looking Into My Eyes Amish Iridologist, I will discuss the journey where most of my family came to visit Reuben and meet Jake Shirk, his apprentice. Here we go again—back to see Dr. Reuben Schwartz, the Amish Iridologist, as he looks into my eyes once more. This time, our journey took us back to Hestand, KY. Thankfully, the trip wasn’t too long, just about four hours.

The night before, I packed H’s bag with all the essentials: pull-ups, wipes, a baggie, extra clothes, three stuffed animals, a banana, gluten-free snacks, and two movies. I also made sure the kids did their chores before bed—nothing like waking up to a mess. And, of course, everyone had to bathe. Because kids. And kids smell.


The Journey Begins

Morning came, and the kids ate quickly, got dressed, and piled into the van. Once we hit the interstate, Big Daddy took the wheel, I caught some much-needed sleep, and the kids watched a movie. A perfect setup.

Due to a ridiculous amount of road construction—and the fact that Dr. Reuben lives quite literally in the middle of nowhere—we arrived about fifteen minutes late. They were waiting on us, and I could tell it was creeping close to dinnertime. The Amish do not miss dinner.

Meeting Jake Shirk

Jake Shirk, Reuben’s apprentice, was there to help, so he took the boys to one room while I stayed with H and G. Mr. Reuben got to work. Out came his little crucible and utility flashlight as he leaned all the way into my personal space. The man smells like Melaleuca and love. I kid you not. His bright eyes, crisp clothes, white beard, and piercing blue eyes—all topped off with that warm, engaging smile. He is honest, kind, and an absolute joy to know.


The Results Are In for the Kids

G: Her “rages” stem from an unhappy left ovary. Dr. Reuben noted she had this issue before she even came to us. He also detected pneumonia scarring from before she joined our family. On top of that, her thyroid is struggling, affecting her weight and stress levels.

N: Stress, thyroid, adrenal gland issues, digestive system concerns—and he needs to drink more water!

D: Stress, digestive trouble, and potential heart issues. This one took us by surprise, but Dr. Reuben’s son even asked if heart issues ran in the family. We had to quietly explain our unique family dynamics.

J: Stress, digestive issues, not enough water—but then came the kicker: “Lay off the sodas.” We laughed. He only drinks water and milk. However, Dr. Reuben spotted pre-diabetic markers. This concerned me deeply. Ethiopians typically don’t have diabetes. He’s only twelve. We’ll be following up with his pediatrician to check his blood work. Mama is not messing around.


Big Daddy and Me

Big Daddy: Dr. Reuben asked about his joints (cue collective laughter—his knees are shot). He also nailed his thyroid issues, stress levels, lack of water intake, red meat consumption, and, of course, his heart health.

Me: When Dr. Reuben finished his assessment, he leaned back in his chair and said, “Good grief, you are under tremendous stress.” I shrugged. “I’m as good as I can be.” Then I asked what made him think I was stressed. He laughed. “Your eye is telling me you are under stress.”

I told him about the last two weeks—how every night, I either hurt, vomited, or had diarrhea. His response? Straight-up stress. He said my body needed to calm down.


The Weight of Stress

What struck me the most? Every single one of us—every child and both parents—had stress show up in our eyes. This past year has been nothing but one giant stress ball.

And I hadn’t even realized the toll it was taking on my kids.

That hit hard. As a mom, I should have seen it. I should have recognized the weight they were carrying.

It’s clear—we need a family meeting. A serious one. We may need to step back from some things. Our family’s mental health has to take priority.


Stepping Back

I know life is overwhelming right now. Seven kids. So many irons in so many fires. The anniversary of my Lady’s passing is looming. The house is in chaos because we’re painting. My living room is currently shoved into my bedroom. H is struggling at school. And a family member is breaking my heart.

I have to step back.

It’s that simple.

Now… how to do that?

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Medical, Reuben Schwartz & Jake Shirk Amish Iridologist

Amish Iridology Yes Please

Amish Iridology Yes Please

Amish Iridology: Yes, Please!

Just when I thought I was done thinking outside the box… I had to think again.

When you tell a mama that her baby has a progressive degenerative genetic disorder that doctors can’t explain and that there’s nothing they can do… she will think again. And again. And again.

Our first venture into “out of the box” care led us to Florida, where I met an incredible team led by a kind and Godly man. What he did was unlike anything I had ever seen before, and I was floored. Because I tend to be a woman of doubt, I had him do his work on me first. He knew nothing about me except my name, and yet, he nailed everything.

That’s when I first heard of Amish Iridology.

Amish? Yes. But an Amish Iridologist? That was a new one.

Enter Reuben Schwartz, one of the kindest men I have ever met. That day marked the beginning of healing—not just for H, but for me as well. Healing from the inside out, despite what conventional doctors had predicted.

Now, let me be clear: neither Dr. Marty Monahan at SonRidge Health and Healing Center nor Reuben Schwartz ever suggested that we abandon conventional medicine. In fact, they both stressed the importance of following the instructions of our primary doctors. Their goal was to supplement our existing treatment—to work alongside modern medicine, not against it.

That being said, if God chooses to heal us from the inside out, perhaps one day, we won’t need those other medications.

If you’re seriously interested in learning more about the treatment and care we received in Florida, please fill out the contact form, send me your questions, and I’ll get back to you.


A Journey to Kentucky

Two months later, our journey took us to a small Amish community in Kentucky, where I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Reuben Schwartz in person.

The drive was breathtaking. I’ve always held a deep appreciation for the Amish community. My father-in-law worked closely with them, as did my daddy, who has dear friends among our local Amish families. There is a simple beauty in their way of life that I deeply respect.

As I neared my destination, I overshot the turn—oops! I found myself at a farm, but in an Amish community, that’s pretty much a given. A man was tending to his garden as I pulled up, greeting me with a warm smile. I asked if he could point me toward Mr. Schwartz, and with a chuckle, he told me I had passed his place at the bottom of the hill. Then he added something unexpected: he was one of Reuben’s sons.

We struck up a lovely conversation about my children and about H. As we talked, he shared that his wife had just given birth to twins—bringing their total to nine daughters.

Nine. Daughters.

Just let that sink in for a moment.

Before I left, I asked for his name. He smiled and simply said, “Abe.” I smiled back, telling him that my son’s middle name is Abraham. I shared a little of H’s story, and that’s when he told me that his full name is Abraham as well.

One day, I’ll share the story of the promise God gave me through Abraham and why we chose that name to honor our son’s legacy. But for now, I’ll hold onto the sweet memory of a garden-side conversation with a kind Amish man named Abe.

God’s fingerprints are everywhere, if only we take the time to see them.

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