Often described as “bud medicine”, gemmotherapy, or phytoembryology, exploits the benefits of the young tissues of trees and shrubs: most often buds, but also young shoots and rootlets. “These are the embryonic stem cells of the plant which have a development potential to build the leaves, the bark, the roots, the flowers” details Laurine Pineau, naturopath and author of I am learning gemmotherapy (ed. Leduc)
We owe this booming specialty to the Belgian doctor Pol Henry, the first to have studied the effects of buds in the 1960s. Why buds? Because they bring together all the properties of the adult plant and would offer different perspectives from other plant-based therapies. “Take the lime tree, for example: in herbal medicine, the bracts, leaves that accompany the flower, have sedative properties, and the sapwood, inner bark, depurative properties. The bud combines the two: it is both a mild calming and a depurative”, continues the naturopath.
The buds are useful in basic treatment
“The buds have regulation, regeneration and drainage properties. They make it possible to modify the terrain, the physiology of an individual, and are therefore useful as a basic treatment in the event of chronic conditions or overloads of the organism. This alternative medicine offers great job security. While certain compounds can be dangerous, in essential oils for example, to date, no toxic molecule has been described in the buds” underlines Dr. Jean-Michel Morel, general practitioner, phytotherapist specialized in gemmotherapy.
When to turn to gemmotherapy?
We will use it to relieve chronic inflammation or allergies, to act on the hormonal sphere, to activate the filtration and elimination systems such as the liver, the kidneys… “If you are prone to repeated infections, gemmotherapy will help prevent infectious episodes. It can also be effective in some cases of acute symptoms, for example with blackcurrant buds. Its stimulating action on the adrenal cortical glands boosts the immune system and reduces the duration and intensity of a viral infection such as the flu” insists Dr. Morel. But, in general, in the event of acute symptoms, it is preferable to combine gemmotherapy with other natural therapies which act in a specific and targeted manner, such as aromatherapy.
Are there any contraindications?
The macerates of buds contain alcohol, but the dosages being very low – of the order of a few drops -, the quantity of alcohol consumed is ultimately negligible. This is why they can be prescribed even to children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, for whom the number of drops per dose will be reduced. The only real contraindication concerns people who should not consume alcohol at all, due to a history of alcoholism. If in doubt, you can talk to a healthcare professional.
Our Experts:
- Laurine Pieau, naturopath specializing in gemmotherapy
- Dr Jean-Michel Morel general practitioner, phytotherapist specialized in gemmotherapy
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