If you spend any time in the Homeopathy world, you might hear the words isopathy and tautopathy and wonder what on earth they actually mean. They sound complicated, but the ideas behind them are surprisingly simple. Today, dear Reader, I shall give you a simple explanation. Read on!
Both approaches work on the same basic principle. Using a substance that is directly related to the problem, prepared in a Homeopathic way.
They are not the same thing though and knowing the difference matters.
What is Isopathy?
Isopathy means using the same cause of the illness as the remedy.
In simple terms, you take the thing that caused the problem and use it, Homeopathically prepared, to stimulate the body to resolve it.
A classic example is allergies.
If someone reacts badly to grass pollen, an Isobathic approach would be to use a homeopathic preparation made from grass pollen itself. The idea is not to suppress the reaction, but to gently train the immune system to respond differently.
Other common examples include:
• Using a homeopathic preparation of cat hair for someone allergic to cats
• Using dust mite isopathy for dust mite allergies
• Using mould isopathy when mould exposure has clearly triggered symptoms
Isopathy is often used when there is a very clear trigger and the body seems stuck in a reaction loop.
What is Tautopathy?
Tautopathy is slightly different. It is used when symptoms are caused by a medication, chemical or substance that the person has taken.
Instead of treating the symptoms directly, Tautopathy uses a homeopathic preparation of that same substance to help the body clear its effects.
This is most often used when someone has lingering symptoms after medication.
Examples include:
• A homeopathic preparation of an antibiotic after repeated antibiotic use
• A homeopathic preparation of the contraceptive pill after hormonal disruption
• A homeopathic preparation of steroids when symptoms started after steroid use
Think of Tautopathy as helping the body process and let go of something it never fully recovered from.
How is this different from constitutional homeopathy?
This is important.
Isopathy and Tautopathy are tools, not full treatment systems on their own.
Constitutional Homeopathy looks at the whole person. Physical symptoms, emotional patterns, stress responses, sleep, digestion, history and temperament. The remedy is chosen based on the person, not just the trigger.
Isopathy and Tautopathy are more targeted. They are often used:
• When there is a clear cause
• When symptoms started after a specific exposure or medication
• Alongside constitutional treatment
• Or as a short-term intervention to remove an obstacle to healing
They are not about matching personality traits or emotional states. They are about addressing a specific interference.
A simple way to remember the difference
Isopathy
Same thing from outside that triggered the problem
Tautopathy
Same thing you took that caused the problem
Both are prepared Homeopathically. Both aim to stimulate self-regulation rather than suppress symptoms.
A word of caution
Just because something sounds simple does not mean it should be used casually.
Repeating remedies too often, using high potencies unnecessarily, or guessing without a clear case history can create confusion rather than clarity.
These approaches work best when there is a strong rationale for using them, not as a random experiment.
Used well, they can be incredibly helpful. Used poorly, they can muddy the waters.
As always, the goal is not to chase symptoms, but to support the body to do what it already knows how to do.
Heal.
In wellness, Kirsty xo
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