Gemmotherapy, from the Latin "gema" meaning "bud", is a branch of herbal medicine that uses the buds and shoots of young plants.

Unlike phytotherapy, which uses the adult parts of the plant (leaves, flowers, bark, roots, the whole plant), gemmotherapy uses the embryonic part of the plant.

The macerates of the shoots/buds are obtained by macerating these embryonic tissues in a mixture of water, alcohol and glycerine for 20 days.

They are taken orally as a herbal food supplement for their diuretic effect on the body.

In fact, each macerate has a profound effect, rebalancing certain deregulated physiological processes.

Macerates are therefore particularly effective in the treatment of chronic diseases, and their use is more long-term, for three-week cures.

There are many and varied indications, which can be grouped according to systems of action.

How is gemmotherapy used?

ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS

• 5 to 15 drops a day in a glass of water (or pure water), 15 minutes before a meal, for 3 weeks.
• Start with 5 drops and increase gradually (one drop a day up to 15, or 5 drops the first week, 10 the second and 15 the last).
• The course lasts 3 weeks and can be resumed after a 1 week break.

CHILDREN AND BABIES

• Due to the presence of alcohol, macerates are not recommended before 3 years of age.
• After this age, we limit the dose to 1 drop per day per 10 kilograms (body weight), starting with 1 drop and gradually increasing the dose.
• For example, a 9 year old weighing 40 kilos can take up to 4 drops.

PREGNANT AND BREASTFEEDING WOMEN

• Due to the presence of alcohol, macerates are not recommended for pregnant women.
• For women who are breastfeeding, use should be on medical advice and limited to a maximum of 5 drops per day.
• Even if the amount of alcohol ingested is very small and macerates are sometimes used by pregnant women on medical advice, those with a hormonal action are strictly forbidden (cranberry, raspberry, oak, redwood, blackcurrant, grape, etc.).

WHAT ABOUT THE ANIMALS?

Because of its gentleness and practicality, gemmotherapy is particularly appreciated by animals.

Dogs, cats, horses, goats and guinea pigs can all benefit from the regenerating and draining properties of macerates.

Whether curative or preventative, these products are remarkably effective for our pets, have few contraindications or side effects, and are very well tolerated.

However, always consult your vet for further information.

Finally, the recommended dosages are generally

• 1 to 5 drops per day for dogs and cats, depending on their weight.
• 25 to 30 drops per day (about 1 ml) for horses (always according to the weight of the animal).
• Dilute these few drops in warm water and add to your pet's food or drink!

Precautionary measures

PEOPLE IN ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL

You should know that concentrated macerates are made with alcohol and contain more than 30%.

Logically, therefore, people in alcohol withdrawal should not take gemmotherapy.

FOR HORMONAL PATHOLOGIES

If you suffer from a hormone-dependent condition, you should of course avoid hormonal injections.

These include (this is not an exhaustive list):

• Macerates with adrenal action: Gooseberry, Carpino, Oak, Rosemary, Holly, Blueberry, Sequoia.
• Macerates with indirect hormonal action: Apple, Blueberry, Walnut.
• Macerates with oestrogenic plant hormones: Cranberry, Blackberry, Virgin Vine, Raspberry.

MEDICAL ADVICE

If you are taking medication and/or have a specific medical condition, do not hesitate to consult a health professional such as a doctor or pharmacist.

The use of certain sprout macerates is contraindicated in combination with medicinal treatments.

This is the case for people taking anticoagulants, who cannot use macerates of ginkgo biloba, hawthorn, almond, lemon or corn stalk, for example.

In short, these people should not use fluidising macerates in addition to their already fluidising treatment, so as not to duplicate the effect and risk bleeding.

In addition, people who are allergic to Salicicicillium should not use the macerates of Birch pubescent, Birch wart or Poplar sprouts.

Finally, the advice given by Hippocratic Generation can in no way replace your doctor's prescription.

If in doubt, seek medical advice before any use.

FOOD SUPPLEMENT

Sprout macerates are herbal food supplements.

They are not a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.

As with all dietary supplements, the best results are achieved when taken orally, pure or diluted, outside of meals.

In general, gemmotherapy is used chronically, on a 3-week course. Cures can be resumed after a minimum 1 week break.

The macerates can be taken as a glass of water or a spoonful of honey to make them easier to swallow.

This is ideal when taken outside of meals to reach the body more easily and directly.

USE INDIVIDUALLY OR IN SYNERGY

You can use up to 3 different macerates at the same time.

It is advisable to take them at different times (for example, 1 macerate before each meal, or ideally with at least 2 hours between each intake): for example, if you want to use the gooseberry, Scots pine and vine bud macerates for your joints, you can take the gooseberry in the morning, the Scots pine at noon and the vine bud in the evening. Another alternative is to take each macerate at different times of the day (8 drops of each in the morning and 7 drops of each in the evening).

In addition, just as there are synergies between essential oils, macerates can combine their effects in the same product to increase their action: they are called complexes. These complexes bring together buds from different plants with a specific action on the same body system. In fact, they are prepared by macerating a mixture of these different buds in the same tin, and you get a finished product that can be used as is.