Gemmotherapy, from the Latin "gemmae" meaning "bud", is a branch of phytotherapy that uses the buds and young shoots of plants. Contrary to phytotherapy, which uses the adult elements of the plant (leaves, flowers, bark, roots, whole plant), gemmotherapy differs by using the embryonic part of a plant. The bud macerates are then obtained by macerating these embryonic tissues in a water-alcohol-glycerine mixture for 20 days. They are used orally as a food supplement based on plants. They will allow to drain, rebalance and regenerate certain physiological processes of the body. They act thus in depth, on the ground, reason for which it is generally advised to use them in cure of 3 weeks.
At the root of bud macerates are the buds. To fully understand how gemmotherapy works, it is necessary to know that buds contain all the embryonic tissue of the plant, and all of its genetic heritage. They contain the properties of the flowers, fruits and leaves at the same time: it is in a way a "totum" of the plant. For example, the Linden bud has the calming properties attributed to the flower (or bract), but also the depurative and diuretic virtues of the sapwood, which is the most recently formed part of the tree trunk (the soft, white outer part).
The bud macerates then have a soft and deep action, they will act in order to re-establish certain deregulated physiological processes. They will initially exert a drainage, a detoxification of certain organs, thanks to their active plant ingredients rich in growth substances that will stimulate the purifying organs such as the liver, kidney, gallbladder or intestine. They then allow the body to start again on a healthy basis. By cleaning the body of its waste, the bud macerates will allow to regulate and regenerate the organs on which they will act. These are the 3 specificities of a building plant tissue: the regulation (to grow at the right time), the drainage, and the regeneration (or stimulation). Through its various actions, bud macerates therefore prove to be particularly effective in the case of chronic conditions. Each bud macerate will then target different organs, different systems of the body. To name just a few examples:
For a given indication, a problem, many bud macerates can be considered. They may indeed have similar properties, but each will actually have a very specific mechanism of action, and act on very specific organs. It is first necessary to properly identify the problem.
Then, to help in the choice of the bud macerate to use, The company of the senses has set up a tool to quickly find the bud macerate most suitable for the situation. Simply select the problem you're facing, potentially the property of the desired bud macerate, and you'll get a list of all the bud macerates that can be used, sorted by effectiveness.
Which bud macerate for which use?There are several tens of bud macerates, which will have a rather systematic function: they will regulate, drain and regenerate the organs. Some bud macerates target specific organs and have particular activities. We thus find various and varied indications for each bud macerate, which can be grouped by system of action. We present here the 40 most commonly used bud macerates. Among the most well-known bud macerates are Blackcurrant, Lime or even Fig tree.
The blackcurrant bud macerate is the Swiss Army knife of bud macerates: it is stimulating, adrenal, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, anti-allergic and draining. It acts on all systems or almost, and is therefore useful in many cases:
It is a great regulator of neurotransmitters. The Fig Tree Bud Merchant acts on 2 levels: nervous and digestive. It has a calming and rebalancing nervous effect, as well as a beneficial action on digestive disorders. It acts rather on the present moment. It is thus to be useful in the following situations:
The Lime Tree Buds Macerate is the perfect example that demonstrates that the bud contains all the potential of the future plant. Thus, we find the well-known calming and sedative effect of its bracts, but also the diuretic effect of its sapwood. It is the bud of sleep, which works on the nervous schemes having suffered. It is used in the following situations:
Bud macerates are taken orally, pure or diluted, outside of meals for optimal results. Generally speaking, gemmotherapy is used chronically, in 3-week cures. The cures can be renewed after a minimum of 1 week of stop. The ingestion of bud macerates can be done in a support such as a glass of water or a spoon of honey to facilitate the intake. This will be optimal if it is done outside of meals in order to reach the body more easily and directly.
5 to 15 drops per day in a glass of water (or pure), 15 minutes before the meal, during 3 weeks. Start with 5 drops and increase as you go along:
1 drop per day for 10 kilos, starting with one drop and gradually increasing the dose. Example: a 9 year old child weighing 40 kilos could take up to 4 drops.
Limit to 5 drops maximum per day, on medical advice only.
The one-time cure generally has a curative purpose, to act on a particular symptom, help the body resolve certain ailments, prevent certain disorders or perform a seasonal drainage. It can be continued by a long cure if necessary, for long-term maintenance.
Duration: 3 weeks
Long-term, or preventive, cures are useful for chronic disorders, or those that are bound to last for a while. These can be hormonal disorders (menopause, for example), cardiac, intestinal, metabolic (cholesterol) etc. A single course of treatment is generally not enough for these types of problems, so bud macerates need time to act in a sustainable way. However, the dosage or treatments used may change over time. Longer courses of treatment are generally preferred in gemmotherapy.
Duration: several months, with a rhythm of 3 weeks of intake per month and 1 week of break.
When disorders persist despite a one-time cure and then a long cure, and provided that the macerate(s) used are indeed acting on the origin of the disorder and not just on the symptoms, it may be necessary to proceed with a maintenance cure, which is long-term. Among other things, maintenance cures are of interest after the age of 40, to maintain healthy physiological functions.
Many rates of use can be considered:
Although they are relatively mild natural extracts, bud macerates have some precautions for use: some related to the presence of alcohol, and others related to the plant itself, and its properties. Finally, bud macerates are food supplements based on plants. They are in no way a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.
In case of taking medicinal treatments and/or particular pathology, it is necessary to seek advice from health professionals, such as doctors or pharmacists. Taking certain bud macerates is contraindicated in conjunction with drug treatments. This is the case for people on anti-coagulants who cannot use Ginkgo Biloba, Hawthorn, Almond, Lemon or Dogwood macerates for example. In short, these people should not use fluidifying macerates in addition to their already fluidifying treatment so as not to double the effect and risk bleeding.
Also, people allergic to salicylates should not use pubescent Birch, Warty Birch or Poplar bud macerates.
Finally, the advice given by The company of the senses must not in any case replace a diagnosis, a consultation or a medical follow-up. In case of doubt, before any use, ask for a medical advice.
Due to the presence of alcohol, although the amount ingested is very small, bud macerates are discouraged before the age of 3 and in pregnant women.
For breastfeeding women, the use of bud macerates can be done, but as a precautionary principle, however, a medical opinion is necessary. Some bud macerates are still to be avoided absolutely, for example:
In case of hormone-dependent pathology, or a history of hormone-dependent pathology, buds with hormonal action are to be avoided. These include (this is not an exhaustive list):
Concentrated bud macerates are made with alcohol, they contain more than 30% alcohol. People on alcoholic withdrawal should not consume bud macerates.
For single bud macerates, it is possible to use up to 3 different bud macerates at the same time. It is advisable to take them at a distance from each other, i.e. 1 macerate before each meal, or with a minimum of 2 hours between each intake ideally. For example, when taking Blackcurrant, Scots Pine and Vine bud macerates for the joints, it is possible to take the Blackcurrant in the morning, the Scots Pine at noon and the Vine in the evening. Otherwise, another alternative is to divide the intake of each macerate at different times of the day (take 8 drops of each in the morning and 7 drops of each in the evening).
Moreover, just as there are synergies of essential oils, buds can also combine their actions within the same product to potentiate their effects: they are called complexes. These complexes gather buds of different plants having a targeted action on the same system of the body. They are in fact prepared by macerating in the same can a mixture of these different buds, and we obtain a finished product that can be used as is.
Gemmotherapy, by its softness and practicality of use, is particularly appreciated by animals. Dogs, cats, horses, goats or guinea pigs can enjoy the regenerating and draining benefits of bud macerates. Whether curative or preventive, these products have a remarkable effectiveness on our pets, they have few contraindications or side effects and are very well tolerated. However, be sure to consult your veterinarian for more information.
Recommended dosages are generally :
Dilute these few drops in warm water to incorporate into the animal's food or drink.
Here are the different manufacturing steps to obtain a concentrated mother macerate:
There are 2 main methods of making bud macerates: the method of Dr. Pol Henry and Max Tétau, the precursors of gemmotherapy, called "1D glycerol macerate", and the more recent "concentrated macerate" method described above. Concentrated macerate (also called mother macerate) is preferred today to 1D glycerol macerate for two main reasons:
The gemmotherapy and aromatherapy are two very distinct branches of herbal medicine. They can be distinguished by:
Thus, gemmotherapy is an excellent complement to aromatherapy, and vice versa.
40 bud macerates How to use them in...357 notes
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