Gemmotherapy and buds: why and how does it work?

In order to analyze the activity of plant embryonic tissue macerates, research and experiments were oriented along three main axes:

Firstly, analytical studies, as has often been the case in aromatherapy, have been carried out. Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography, we managed to quantify and qualify the molecules present in the bud, and to compare them with those present in the adult plant. We could thus make an inter-species and intra-species comparison (according to the tissue, and according to the stage of maturation).

Secondly, pharmacological studies, on mice in particular, made it possible to show the effectiveness of the buds on certain systems:

Firstly, it was the pubescent birch bud which was studied via the halpern test. This test, well known in the pharmaceutical world, aims to prove the activity of a drug on the reticuloendothelial system by evaluating the capacity of the latter to capture particles injected intravenously. If you don't understand anything, don't worry! To put it simply, this test showed that a treatment based on birch bud macerate made it possible to increase the activity of this system. So there is not just a placebo effect!

The results having been convincing, the research was then extended to other bud macerates intended for 4 major systems of our body:

• Blackcurrant bud macerate (Ribes nigrum) on the mechanism of inflammation
• Hawthorn macerate (Crataegus oxyacantha) on the cardiovascular system
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) on liver function
• And the macerate of Linden buds (Tilia tomentosa) on the nervous system via a sedative action.

All these experiments were crowned with success, causing great enthusiasm for gemmotherapy. Subsequently, many other bud macerates were developed, the role and properties of which were mainly defined by clinical experimentation.

Indeed, as a whole, gemmotherapy is an empirical therapy (which has nothing to do with the Roman Empire), the knowledge acquired from which comes mainly from testimonies and observations, much more than from in-depth molecular analyses. Thus, without worrying about the “why” or the “how”, experiments with bud macerates and user testimonials have made it possible to make their contribution. And even if we don't know exactly how it works, the result is definitely there: gemmotherapy works!

The bud contains all the embryonic tissues of the plant and all its genetic patrimony. More precisely, at the base of the bud, we find the meristem : it is an embryonic biological tissue made up of undifferentiated cells forming a growth zone. This tissue multiplies rapidly, either in length (primary meristem) or in thickness (secondary meristem). It is also interesting to note that a single embryonic cell is capable of reconstituting the entire plant. We say that this cell is totipotent, that is to say that it will be able to form any cell. 

The bud macerate thus contains embryonic elements, whether they are constituents of the adult plant, or whether they are specific to it, and it is all these elements which are at the origin of its effectiveness. We find in particular phytohormones :

• L’auxine, which is essential for the development of the plant. It contributes to tissue regeneration and stimulates the length growth of the plant.
• There gibberellin, which stimulates the synthesis of meristems, floral buds, and causes flowering.
• There cytokinin, which activates cell division and regulates growth
• L’abscissin, which is stabilizing and puts the plant to rest. It has a general inhibiting and regulating effect on growth, and is the cause of winter dormancy of buds.

The bud therefore contains all the potential of future plants: it contains tissues rich in nucleic acids, amino acids, phyto-hormones, vitamins, trace elements, minerals and sap... and all these elements are not necessarily found in the adult plant . It is thus extremely rich, and contains at the same time the properties of flowers, fruits and leaves: it is in a way a concentrated “totum” of the plant, the whole of which is superior to the sum of the properties of each element taken independently. For example, the Linden bud has the calming properties attributed to the flower of this tree, and also the depurative and diuretic virtues of the sapwood, which is the most recently formed part of the tree trunk (the tender and white part). more external).

To summarize, we therefore find in a bud:

• Phytohormones
• Flavonoids, which act on blood vessels and circulation, are diuretics
• Alkaloids, with variable action depending on the structure
• Anthraquinones, generally laxative and lubricant on the body
• Glucosides, often with a sedative effect on the heart and lungs
• Mucilages and gums, soothing and healing
• Saponins, which, in contact with water, emulsify and soften the skin
• Tannins, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic
• Nucleic acids, trace elements, vitamins…

All these molecules are extracted during maceration, and each solvent (water/alcohol/glycerin) has a particular role in extracting this or that compound.

The notion of drainage is very important in gemmotherapy. Indeed, this is the first step in the treatment of a condition using bud macerates.

The objective here is to achieve a real detoxification of certain organs. Indeed, bud macerates are particularly effective in completely eliminating toxic substances found in the body. To do this, they provide the body with active plant ingredients rich in growth substances which will stimulate purifying organs such as the liver, kidney, gallbladder or intestine.

Generally, it should be noted that diseases develop on soil weakened by the slowdown of the elimination organs which leads to the accumulation of toxic substances (poorly degraded metabolites, waste, immune complexes (antibodies/antigen)). There is then a reduction in immune defenses. Thus, one of the ways to avoid the development of diseases is to reduce this toxic load by stimulating the emunctories (elimination organs), thus promoting a return to good health! And bam the toxins!

At the physiological level, bud macerates thus stimulate the activity of the excretory organs. This principle of drainage is therefore particularly effective in all cases of poisoning, whether chemical poisoning or linked to environmental pollution. In short, gemmotherapy will drain all those substances that are not very good for your body !

In this context, we can notably cite Downy Birch or Juniper, which are both “detox” and liver-protective macerates. They can be used at seasonal changes in a 21-day treatment to prepare our body for changes and eliminate accumulated toxins. Gemmotherapy then allows you to achieve a real “reboot” of your body, which will thus be more able to react and defend itself against external elements.

Finally, this principle of drainage is also found in homeopathy. Léon Vannier, a French homeopath, defined it as follows at the beginning of the 20th century: “Drainage is all the means to be implemented to ensure the regular elimination of toxins which clutter a subject's body. I say of one, and not of subjects, because, an essential fact to remember and of capital importance, drainage must always be individualized. This principle is recognized, both in herbal medicine and in allopathy, but it remains very little practiced in the latter while therapies such as homeopathy or gemmotherapy make it the spearhead of their strategy.

Thanks to the drainage principle, you can eliminate accumulated toxins to get off on the right foot!