Gemmotherapy isn't all the well known, so you may be wondering, what is it and how can this relate to my health? Let's further explore what Gemmotherapy is, how and where it originated, how it's made and the unique health benefits it can offer. 

What Is Gemmotherapy?

Gemmotherapy, also often called "bud therapy," is a therapeutic method that uses plant bud extracts and other embryonic plant tissues freshly harvested from growing plants. The name “gemmotherapy” is derived from the Latin gemma, meaning "bud," and the Latin therapīa, meaning "medical treatment." Gemmotherapy straddles two distinct categories of complementary medicine: herbalism and homeopathy. It is often considered a branch of low-dose homeopathic medicine and a subsection of phytotherapy, though, in reality, it is its distinct therapeutic model.

Gemmotherapy was developed in Europe in the 1950s, based on research into the therapeutic use of plant buds led by Pol Henry, a renowned Belgian doctor. He published the results of his research and clinical trials in 1970, initially calling the approach phytoembryotherapy. In 1971, Dr Max Tétau further developed the treatment model and introduced it to the world as gemmotherapy.

In Dr Tétau’s words, gemmotherapy is based on the premise that “when an emunctory (or an eliminatory system such as the kidneys, liver, lymph) is inadequate or blocked, or when a glandular or tissular system is deficient, and when an individualized treatment conforming to the 'simillimum' (restoration of health of the patient (as seen in homeopathy)) does not give the expected results, or, on the contrary, causes an aggravation of symptoms, it is necessary to stimulate the organs of elimination with medications whose organic tropism or physiological affinities are known.” 

In practical terms, gemmotherapy may best be described as a drainage system that uses the embryological tissues of plants to enhance organ function, and facilitate tissue regeneration, encouraging toxin elimination by directing them toward the drainage organs. 

How Is Gemmotherapy Made? 

Gemmotherapy remedies are made from various embryonic plant tissues, including the sap, buds, emerging shoots, rootlets, catkins, and young leaves of trees and shrubs. This embryonic plant material contains all the concentrated vital energy and active components that a tree or plant needs to grow. The buds themselves (and only the buds) have all of the natural medicinal properties of a given plant, so they are incredibly concentrated and biologically active. Indeed, plant and tree buds contain all the genetic heritage of the future plant, so, in essence, they contain miniature leaves, stems and the beginnings of tiny flowers. Embryonic plant tissues are also rich in nucleic acids, amino acids, phytohormones, vitamins, trace elements, minerals, and other nutrients. Moreover, these young plant tissues contain many other active ingredients that will not necessarily be present in the adult plant or to a much lesser extent. In this sense, the use of embryonic plant tissue is unique and distinct from the traditional use of mature plants, as seen in phytotherapy or herbalism.

The embryonic plant material used to make gemmotherapy remedies (young shoots, buds, rootlets, etc.) is harvested just before opening, corresponding with the most active phase of the growing cycle. This is key to the effectiveness of gemmotherapy since it allows plant tissues to retain all their purity and potency.  

Once harvested, the young plant material is left to permeate for 3 weeks in a solvent composed of 1/3 water, 1/3 glycerin and 1/3 alcohol at a 1:20 ratio of plant to mixture. The mixture proportions are critical, as each solvent extracts specific molecules from the plant, such as polyphenols, vitamins, mineral salts, etc. For instance, alcohol extracts alkaloids, heterosides, glycosides, and some acids, while glycerin extracts phenols, essential oils, and fat-soluble flavonoids.

After 3 weeks of permeation, the liquid is filtered and potentized to a 1/10th dilution, corresponding to a 1X dilution in homeopathic terms. The finished product is blended in a glycerin base with 35% alcohol and purified water. It is then ready to be bottled and sold as a gemmotherapy macerate, according to the original method pioneered by Dr Pol Henry, the founder of gemmotherapy. 

Health Benefits of Gemmotheapy

  • Aids In Tissue Regeneration
  • Enhances Immune Function
  • Helps Detoxify The Body
  • Helps Repair RNA
  • Nourishes The Body
  • Promotes Growth And Development
  • Drains Endogenous & Exogenous Toxins
  • Regenerates Worn Out Organs & Organ Systems

How To Use Gemmotherapy

Gemmotherapy is easy to use, has no known contraindications, and has few potential side effects. It can also be used across all age groups. 

Another exciting thing about gemmotherapy is that it often works in patients when no other treatment modalities have. Moreover, gemmotherapy macerates can safely be used alongside other treatment approaches for a potent complementary effect. Indeed, most homeopaths and naturopathic physicians use gemmotherapy within their practice to enhance their treatment protocols and improve therapeutic outcomes for their patients. 

These regenerative plant supplements are extraordinary for improving organ function, stimulating tissue regeneration, and encouraging detoxification by stimulating and supporting the organs of elimination. The macerates are easy to use and are typically administered before meals with some water. Since most toxins, whether endogenous or exogenous, impact the cardiovascular system (heart/small intestine), digestive system (stomach, spleen), lung/large intestine, kidney/bladder, and liver/gallbladder, these are typically the areas that gemmotherapy treatment will focus on, according to each patient's manifestations. 

The dosing can vary wildly, depending on the person’s health condition and health goals – anywhere from 5 drops to 50-75, and sometimes even as high as 100 drops. An average dose, however, is usually 20 drops daily in split dose AM / PM or as directed by the practitioner. The appropriate dose for you should also consider your age and the macerate in question. Hyperreactive individuals and those who are very sensitive or have digestive difficulties should start with lower doses and work their way up very gradually. 

Since macerates used in gemmotherapy contain alcohol, people who do not want or cannot use alcohol can mix their macerates with hot water and let them sit until the alcohol evaporates. This in no way will affect the potency of the medicine.

Common Remedies

Much like homeopathic remedies, gemmotherapy macerates come as unitary or complex solutions with a blend of active ingredients. Typically, single “isolated bud” solutions are used to treat targeted disorders, while combination blends are more suited to treating health conditions per se, such as stress, allergies, hypothyroidism, heart disease, etc. A knowledgeable gemmotherapy practitioner often combines several macerates with complementary properties to optimize therapeutic effects. 

Below are a few commonly used gemmotherapy macerates: 

  • Abies pectinata - European Fir – used for decalcification, rickets, dental caries, fractures, rhinopharyngitis and throat infections like tonsillitis 
  • Acer campestre - Field Maple – used for anticipative anguish, arteriosclerosis, and herpes outbreaks
  • Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse-Chestnut – used as a drainage remedy for hemorrhoids and varicose veins
  • Betula pubescens - White Birch – used to detoxify the liver and reduce urea, cholesterol, and uric acid levels
  • Castanea vesca – Chestnut – used for conditions such as spasmodic and congestive difficulties, and lymphatic circulation
  • Citrus limonum – Lemon – used for migraine headaches, poor digestion, depression, insomnia, spasmodic cough, tics, hiccups, infectious hepatitis, and cirrhosis
  • Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood - used mainly for transitory syndromes of numerous sub-acute inflammatory and necrotic ailments
  • Crataegus oxyacantha - Hawthorn – anti-sclerotic. Used in all heart conditions.
  • Ficus carica – Fig Tree – used for infections, thrombosis, sclerosis, and necrosis, especially those caused by stress
  • Ribes nigrum - Black currant - stimulates and supports the adrenal glands 
  • Rosa canina - Dog rose - anti-inflammatory, metabolic support
  • Tilia tomentosa - Silver linden - anti-plethoric, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and slightly diuretic
  • Ulmus campestris – Elm - excellent superficial drainer
  • Vitis vinifera - Grapevine - all conditions caused by chronic inflammation
  • Zea mais (Zea mays) – Corn – used effectively for post-infarct cicatrization of cardiac tissue

If you truly want to restore your health, plant-based gemmotherapy's benefits cannot be overstated. Speak to a qualified natural health care practitioner to discuss integrating a few plant bud macerates into your daily lifestyle and supplement protocol.