gemmotherapy

Gemmotherapy is a branch of herbal medicine that studies the use of embryonic plant tissues, such as buds or young shoots, for the treatment of diseases or for the maintenance of well-being.

The father of gemmotherapy was Prof. Georges Netien of the University of Lyon, who in the 50s of the last century conceived and studied this natural medicine, later taken up and developed by the Belgian doctor Then Henry, who was the first to study and to the experimentation of gemmoderivati.

The Gemmoderivati

They represent the "medicated" preparations used in gemmotherapy. Their preparation has been described since 1965 on the French Pharmacopoeia:

FRESH embryonic plant material (buds, newly hatched buds, rootlets, seeds and, less frequently, the rind of young stems) is collected when vegetative life is resumed (late winter / early spring or autumn for seeds), then promptly cleaned up and chopped
a sample of this material is dried in order to determine the water content and the dry weight (it is left in the stove at 105 ° C until the constant weight is reached)
the rest of the fresh plant material is macerated for three weeks (21 days) in a mixture of glycerol and alcohol in equal parts; the quantity of these solvents is calculated so as to obtain a final product corresponding to 20 times the weight of the raw material returned to the dry state.
after the maceration time, the liquid obtained is filtered at constant pressure, left to stand for 48 hours and again filtered. The basic glyceric macerate (MG) is thus obtained, which must be diluted with a mixture of glycerine, oil and water (in a proportion of 5: 3: 2) before obtaining ready to use, obtaining a product with a 1DH dilution ( one part of macerated in 10 parts of ready-to-use solution). The gemmoderivato is then packaged in dropper bottles of dark, commercialized glass; it must be kept away from light, in tightly closed containers and in any case consumed within 3-5 years of preparation.
Normally 30-50 drops of gemmoderia are used, to be taken on an empty stomach, one to three times a day, diluted in a little water; the solution should be retained for about a minute in the mouth, in order to take advantage of sublingual absorption; after which he swallows.

This typical pharmaceutical preparation of the French school is joined by the Belgian one, in which the embryonic tissue is macerated in a mixture of alcohol, glycerine and water so that each liquid occupies one third of the total weight. Maceration and filtration follow to obtain the definitive glycerine macerate. The dosages will naturally be lower, and the proportion of alcohol ingested will be lower.

Gemmotherapy: presumed benefits and clinical efficacy

Gemmotherapy is based on the assumption that the young embryonic tissues in the growth phase contain particularly active components that allow an extraordinary growth of the plant. Just think of it as a single gem, developing leaves, flowers, woods and stems within a few months. Responsible for this development are substances such as auxins, enzymes, cytokines and gibberellins (hormones and growth factors typical of the vegetable kingdom); the embryonic tissues are instead poor of all those substances derived from the secondary metabolism present in the adult plant (flavones, tannins, alkaloids ...) and exploited in phytotherapy. It is therefore a science in some ways opposed to phytotherapy, given that the active ingredients of embryonic tissues are present only in traces in adult plants, and vice versa. In the bud-derivative it is also possible to isolate amino acids, carbohydrates and vitamins, often in generous quantities (think of the soybean or wheat seed sprouts used as functional foods by virtue of their richness in nutritive principles).

Although no one thinks of using extracts of animal embryos for medicinal purposes, the same idea in a vegetable key (thus exploiting gems and other embryonic tissues) seems to gather many supporters. However, official medicine, which considers gemmotherapy to be an alternative medicine lacking in scientifically proven efficacy, reduces the enthusiasm. In fact, under the heading "gemmotherapy", pubmed (the most important database on scientific research) returns only one result, however of little scientific interest (it is in fact an informative article that reports the experiences of the assistants associating acupuncture and gemmotherapy).

In fact it is clear that the human organism is not a plant, which is why all these substances with surprising energy / vegetative potential do not have significant effects on our body. However, striving to tackle the subject with a broader view, we must remember that the molecular structure of some vegetable substances broadly follows that of other molecules produced by the human organism; this feature allows them to interact with specific receptors in the body, triggering a biological response (think for example of plant sterols). Recently, one study showed that auxin, a plant hormone that regulates plant growth and development (present in buds, then in bud derivatives), exhibited antiproliferative properties against human tumor cell lines.

However, the validity of these hypotheses to support the therapeutic efficacy of gemmotherapy remains to be fully demonstrated.

Examples of gemmotherapics and therapeutic applications

PLEASE NOTE: the instructions for use and any therapeutic properties listed below are taken from the commercial packaging and from the information material made available by the manufacturing companies. Their quotation is purely illustrative and does not intend to attribute any kind of therapeutic efficacy to the products in question, which could therefore be ineffective or harmful to health.

The most well-known and exploited activity of glycerine macerates is the "draining" activity understood as the ability to direct body toxins (produced by disease, diet or pollution) towards the organs responsible for their removal, such as kidneys, liver and skin . Homeopathy, for example, uses gemmoderivati at the beginning of the treatment to avoid exacerbating the disease, or when it is necessary to mitigate the too violent effects of a homeopathic treatment.

ABIES PECTINATA (Silver Fir)

Indications: Tonsillitis, tracheobronchitis, rhinopharyngitis of children, lymph node hypertrophy, ganglional hypertrophy, pyorrhea, sequela from fracture in childhood, juvenile osteochondritis, osteomyelitis, rickets, decalcification, tooth decay.
Remarks: Stimulates bone growth and erythropoiesis, promotes calcium fixation in bones. Acts on primary and secondary growth disorders. Together with Betula verrucosa LES is an excellent pediatric remedy.
Use: 30 drops three times a day.

AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM (Horse Chestnut)

Indications: Venous congestion (especially in the lower limbs), hemorrhoids, varicocele, prostatic hypertrophy.
Remarks: The Aesculus can be given alternately to the Castanea vesca LES as it is its complement.
Use: 30 drops three times a day.

ALNUS GLUTINOSA (Alder)

Indications: All inflammatory sequelae that tend to become chronic (of any tissue origin), coronary arteries, arteritis, peritonitis, osteomyelitis, acute joint rheumatism, sequelae of cerebral hemorrhages, cholecystitis, sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, allergic asthma.
Observations: It has anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic action. Useful in patients affected by cerebral weakness, a consequence of thrombotic and hemorrhagic processes.

Use: 50 drops twice a day.

AMPELOPSIS WEITCHII (Variety of virgin vine)

Indications: Poorly resorbed inflammatory sequelae, chronic rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, scapulohumeral periarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, arthrosis.
Remarks: It is prescribed in hyperalgic rheumatism very inflamed, rapidly evolutionary, highly deforming, as in PCE Use: 30-40 drops three times a day.

BETULA PUBESCENS (Birch)

Indications: General tonic, mental and physical asthenia, allergies, hyperazotemia, hyperuricemia, albuminuria, cellulite, coxarthrosis, poor resistance to infections;
Observations: Globally stimulates the reticulo-endothelial system, causes the fall of urea, cholesterol and uric acid. Minor adjuvant of arthrosic and arteriosclerotic syndrome. It stimulates the antitoxic function of the liver. It is a complementary remedy for other macerates.
Use: 40 drops 2-3 times a day.

CASTANEA VESCA (Castagno)

Indications: Vascular insufficiency in the lower limbs, venous circulation disorders, edema of lymphatic origin, varicose veins, heaviness in the lower limbs, cellulite.
Observations: It acts on the congestive phenomena of auto-intoxication, it realizes the drainage of the lymphatic circulation, especially at the level of the lower limbs. It is associated with Sorbus domestica and is administered on the same day because it has a complementary action.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

CEDRUS LIBANI (Cedar)

Indications: Some forms of dry eczema, chronic dermatitis, ictiosis, itching, some irritation of the digestive and respiratory mucous membranes.
Remarks: It acts in certain chronic intoxication syndromes, of an allergic type with manifestation of cutaneous or mucous externalization. The prescription in cases of dry eczema with associated itching is 50 drops in the morning.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

CITRUS LIMONUM (Lemon)

Indications: Migraines or nerve headaches, neurasthenia, nervous tics and certain epileptic syndromes, insomnia, disorders of the bloodstream, palpitations, hiccups, spasmodic cough.
Remarks: Decreases blood clotting. It is particularly indicated when there is an increase in the rate of blood fibrinogen.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

CORYLUS AVELLANA (Hazel)

Indications: Severe hepatic insufficiency, liver cirrhosis, neurosis of the extremities, arteritic syndromes, arteritis of the lower limbs, emphysema and pulmonary sclerosis Remarks: Its antisclerotic action tones the liver parenchyma. It can be used alternately with the Rosmarinus off. LES for a typically complementary and alternative action. Because of its antisclerotic power it is useful in extremity neuroses, in arteritic syndromes. Uric acid decreases: global hypocoagulant, normalizes average total thrombophilia; stimulates erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis. In emphysema (loss of elasticity of lung tissue) it is given by virtue of 50 drops morning and evening. Excellent remedy for neurovegetative imbalances. In liver failure it is given by virtue of 20 drops before meals.
Use: 20-30 drops 2-3 times a day.

CRATAEGUS OXYACANTHA (Hawthorn)

Indications: Heart failure and associated symptoms. Precordial algae, tachycardias, heart failure sequelae. Myocardial musculature spasms, arrhythmias.
Observations: It has an important thrombophilic activity, antisclerosante. It is an excellent regulator of cardiac movements, which slows it down. Tones the myocardium, more particularly at the level of the left heart. Performs a sedative action on all precordial pains. Some "psychic" patients may not tolerate Crataegus, so their prescription must be biologically well indicated.
Use: 20-30 drops 2-3 times a day.

FAGUS SYLVATICA (beech)

Indications: Renal insufficiency, renal lithiasis, water retention obesity, hypercholesterolemia.
Observations: Stimulates kidney function and diuresis. It is the remedy for hypogammaglobulinemia due to its property of stimulating organic defenses. Decreases total cholesterol, stimulates Kuppfer cells of the liver.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

FICUS CARICA (Fico)

Indications: Gastric and gastroduodenal ulcers, gastritis, meteorism related to irritable colon, spasmophilia, cardiac eretism, palpitations, neurovegetative dystonias, obsessive and anxious neurosis.
Observations: Normalizes the secretion of gastric juice and has a healing effect on the mucosa. It has an interesting action in the somatic localization of nervous manifestations (gastric pains, spastic colitis), 50 drops 3 times a day. In cases of gastric and gastroduodenal ulcers it is given by virtue of 30 drops before meals. It acts on neurovegetative dystonia, decreases total cholesterol, stimulates granulopoiesis. It has enzymatic properties. It is a remedy for the syndromes of mucous hypotrophy in the digestive tract.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

FRAXINUS EXCELSIOR (Frassino)

Indications: acute and chronic gout, hyperuricemia, rheumatism, cellulite.
Remarks: Decreases uric acid and blood cholesterol. It is a functional remedy of hyperuricemic syndrome.
Use: 30-50 drops 3 times a day.
ILEX AQUIFOLIUM (Holly)
Indications: Epilepsy.
Use: 30 drops 2-3 times a day.

JUGLANS REGIA (European Walnut)

Directions: Varicose ulcers. skin infectious states (infected eczema, impetigo, etc.), collagenosis, numerous dermatoses, chronic inflammation, liver diseases, chronic pancreatitis, cystitis, cystopielites, pyelonephritis, prostatitis.
Remarks: Decreases cholesterol and increases cholesterol levels. It has a stimulating action on plasma cells and liver Kuppfer cells. In cases of skin infections it is given by virtue of 50 drops 2 times a day.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS (Juniper)

Indications: Great liver failure and cirrhotic syndromes. Dyspepsia, decompensated diabetes, developmental chronic polyarthritis, hyperuricemia, nephrolithiasis, atherosclerosis, aerophagia.
Remarks: Decreases total cholesterol, has an elective tropism on the hepatic cell influencing all organ functions. Acts in severe hepatic impairment with very unbalanced laboratory tests. In the liver the fall of serum albumin produces a decrease in osmotic pressure with water retention in the tissues; juniper, correcting the hypoalbuminemia, normalizes the tissue osmotic balance and eliminates uric acid and urea, causing renal diuresis. It is useful in certain chronic nephritis and in all cystitis affections. In cases of aerophagia, it is given by virtue of 25 drops before meals.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

EUROPEAN OLEA (Olivo)

Indications: Arterial hypertension, arteriosclerosis, dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, adult diabetes.
Observations: Decreases total cholesterol and total lipids. Decreases blood viscosity by acting on total thrombophilia. It has hypotensive and antisclerotic action and for these two properties it is given by virtue of 50 drops 2 times a day. It has an action in cerebral predominance atherosclerosis, in certain syndromes of average hepatic insufficiency and minor renal failure.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

PINUS MONTANA (Mugo pine)

Indications: Chronic rheumatism, arthrosis, vertebral arthrosis, coxarthrosis and gonarthrosis, rheumatism.
Observations: Influences the regeneration of hard tissues of bone and cartilage. Indicated in non-inflammatory chronic rheumatism, whatever its location. It is complementary to other remedies. Useful to associate it with birch sap, preferably taken in the morning on an empty stomach in a large glass of water. Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

POPULUS NIGRA (Black poplar)

Indications: Arteritis of the lower limbs and associated trophic disorders.
Observations: It fights atheromatous states with a thrombotic tendency. It acts on the arterial system of the leg of which it abolishes the spasm. It favors the establishment of a collateral circulation and fights the associated trophic disorders (especially skin). The cure must last 3-4 months.
Use: 20-30 drops 3 times a day.

PRUNUS AMYGDALUS (Almond tree)

Indications: Disorders of the bloodstream, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, anti-sclerosing.
Observations: Decreases total cholesterol. It has an antithrombophilic tendency. Corrects certain atherosclerotic syndromes, especially renal ones. It is complementary to the European Olea of which highlights the hypotensive and anti-sclerosing action. Decreases blood clotting, in cases where there is an increase in prothrombin. The period of employment must go from 2 to 4 months.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

PEDUNCOLATA QUERCUS (Common Oak)

Indications: sexual asthenia, impotence, fatigue due to surmenage, physical asthenia, neurasthenia, constipation, arterial hypotension.
Remarks: It acts in the protidic metabolism, corrects the adrenal hormonal deficiency, rebalances the arterial pressure and completes the renal activity of Vitis vinifera and Prunus amygdalus. It has an action close to and complementary to that of Betula pubescens
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

RIBES NIGRUM (Black Currant)

Indications: Allergic disorders, chronic coryza, hay fever, allergic asthma, rhinopharyngitis and recurrent tonsillitis, inflammatory rheumatism, arthrosis and arthritis, dysmenorrhea, fibroma, prostate, migraines.
Remarks: It is the remedy for acute allergy, chronic gouty states and minor hyperazotemic renal failure. Each acute adynamics syndrome finds its indispensable remedy for increasing corticosteroid levels in Ribes nigrum. Its action is exercised at the cortico-adrenal level, of which it seems to stimulate the secretion of anti-inflammatory hormones. It has a clear antiallergic action, is indicated in all inflammatory states where the speed of sedimentation is very accelerated and in allergic cases whatever their clinical appearance: rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, gastritis, migraines, urticaria, Quincke's edema, rheumatism allergic.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

ROSA CANINA (Rosa di macchia)

Indications: Migraines and headaches, recurrent inflammation of the growing period (otitis tonsilliti furuncolosi), certain forms of anemia and decalcification.
Remarks: Valuable in the treatment of migraines and headaches resistant to the majority of classical therapies and in those in which an allergic component almost always intervenes. In these cases it is interesting to associate it with Ribes nigrum, of which it completes the cortico-adrenal stimulation, and with Tilia tomentosa, which intervenes as a vegetable tranquilizer.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (Rosemary)

Indications: Small liver failure, hepatic colic, biliary dyskinesia for hyper or hypotonia, chronic cholecystitis.
Remarks: Decreases total cholesterol, useful in liver disorders (due to its activity stimulating excretion and the formation of bile). It has a more clearly oriented action on the gall bladder. It is an excellent antispasmodic that regulates vesicular mobility. It performs a repairing activity on the intestinal mucosa making it the medicine of choice in some forms of colitis. It acts on blood coagulation, particularly on total thrombophilic states. It is useful in atherosclerosis with a thrombotic tendency. Due to its euphoric and euphoric action, it is used for capillary circulation at the ends and as a memory stimulant. Together with Juniperus communis it is an excellent detoxifier, acting in particular way in the alkaline phosphatase.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day, as a hepatoprotector, take before meals.

RUBUS FRUCTICOSUS (Blackberry or Blossom)

Indications: chronic degenerative rheumatism, senile degenerative osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, uterine fibroma, arteriosclerosis, arterial hypertension.
Remarks: In cases of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, associate Vaccinium vitis idaea and Sequoia gigantea. In cases of uterine fibroid is it possible to associate Vaccinium vitis idaea (Alnus incanna).
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

RUBUS IDAEUS (Raspberry)

Indications: menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, metrites and vaginitis, pelvic pain, hyperfollicolinic syndromes, puberty female hypogonadism, delayed menarche, early menopause, amenorrhea, ovarian cyst, uterine fibroma.
Remarks: Exercises a braking action on the anterior pituitary lobe and in particular regulates ovarian secretion. The fragarina contained in Rubus Idaeus induces a relaxation of the uterine musculature, thus eliminating secondary contractions. The dosage is 20-60 drops per day. If you want to induce a decongestant action, you will associate Ribes nigrum (25 drops 2 times a day). Sovereign remedy of dysendocrine, atherosclerosis, allergy and neurovegetative imbalances. Also useful in certain torpid ulcerations, in enterocolitis and in functional metrorrhages.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

SECALE CEREAL (Rye)

Indications: Acute and chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, jaundice, hypertransaminase, psoriasis.
Remarks: In jaundice and post-icteric sequelae it is given by virtue of 20 drops before meals. In cases of psoriatic dermatitis it is given by virtue of 25 drops 2 times a day.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

SEQUOIA GIGANTEA (Sequoia)

Indications: Chronic prostatic hypertrophy, initial prostate adenoma, uterine fibroids and myofibromas, andropause, menopause, trophic and psychic disorders of senescence, senile osteoporosis.
Remarks: Its action is exercised particularly at the level of the prostate. Ribes nig is associated with hypertrophy and prostate adenoma. (50 drops 2 times a day for the duration of a month), this because the Ribes exerts an anti-inflammatory action (cortico-similar) stimulating the return to the norm of the gland. In the fibroids of the uterus it is prescribed in doses of 50 to 100 drops per day for cycles of 40 days. Remedy of various functional neuro-sexual syndromes. He is an excellent antisenescente of the elderly man. It acts strongly on the geriatric plane and causes in the old man a feeling of euphoria and also a regaining of strength, both physically and morally.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

SORBUS DOMESTICA (Sorbo domestic)

Indications: Venous disorders, phlebitis sequelae, venous plethora, heaviness of the lower limbs, edema of the lower limbs, acroparesthesias, haemolysis, menopausal disorders characterized by an imbalance in arterial pressure with a tendency to increase the minimum, ringing in the ears, certain congestive headache .
Observations: Great regulator of the circulation of the venous system of which it fights congestive phenomena. Tones the venous walls. Female remedy indicated for circulatory disorders of menopause, venous hypertension, phlebitis sequelae, varicose veins and varicose soil or heavy legs. It is associated with Castanea vesca and must be administered on the same day because it has a complementary action.
Use: 50 drops in the morning on an empty stomach.

TAMARIX GALLICA (Tamerici)

Indications: Various anemias, hypocrome anemias, blood formula disorders, hypercholesterolemia.
Observations: It has an action on cholesterol metabolism, it is useful in certain haemogenic syndromes, due to its total hypercoagulant activity. It acts on the red line stimulating the formation of red cells.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

TILIA TOMENTOSA (Silver linden)

Indications: Nervous sedative, tranquilizer, insomnia, anxiety, neuralgia, antispasmodic neurasthenia.
Remarks: Stimulates granulopoiesis, acts on gout. Sedative par excellence, essential remedy for insomnia (50-75 drops an hour before bedtime, children 15-40 drops), free from anxiety.
Use: 20-30 drops 3 times a day.

ULMUS CAMPESTRIS (Olmo)

Indications: Wet eczema, acne and impetigo, ocular herpes, recurrent herpes.
Observations: Stimulates Kuppfer cells; acts on numerous cutaneous, gouty, rheumatic, metabolic affections, especially if related to a metabolism of the protein nucleus.
Use: 20-30 drops 3 times a day.

VACCINIUM VITIS IDAEA (Cranberry)

Indications: Intestinal syndromes, colibacillosis, both spastic and diarrheal colitis, intestinal meteorism, stimulation of immune phenomena, cystitis, cystopitis, urethritis, prostatitis, prostate adenoma, fibroma and uterine fibromyoma.
Remarks: Causes the fall of the title of the agglutines. It has a polyvalent activity that can be exploited also in virtue of its reticulo-histiocytic action, here is its ability to stimulate the immune phenomena revealed. For colitis it is given by virtue of 20-30 drops after meals.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

VIBURNUM LANTANA (Viburnum)

Indications: Allergic asthma.
Comments: Viburnum is the remedy for decompensated chronic allergies that evolve towards asthmatic states. Together with the Rosmarinus off. it is one of the remedies for allergic asthma. It is located between the activity of the Rosmarinus off. (chronic unintended allergy) and that of Ribes nigrum (acute allergy).
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

VISCUM ALBUM (Mistletoe)

Indications: Gouty rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, epileptic syndromes, hypertension with albuminuria, cardiac asthma, menorrhagia.
Observations: Decreases total cholesterol. Its extraction ratio is 1: 200 while everyone else's is 1:20.
Use: 10-20 drops 2-3 times a day.

VITIS VINIFERA (Lives)

Indications: chronic inflammatory states imperfectly reabsorbed, arthrosis, very painful deforming rheumatism, arthritis of small joints, anemia, disorders of the blood formula.
Remarks: Regularizes the white line, so it should be used when there is leukocytosis and more precisely lymphocytosis. Decreases total cholesterol.
Use: 30 drops 3 times a day.

ZEA MAYS (Maize)

Indications: Sequelae of myocardial infarction, hypertransaminase.
Observations: Promotes post-infarct scarring of cardiac tissue and lowers blood transaminase levels. In the sequelae of myocardial infarction it is given by virtue of 20 drops 3 times a day.
Use: 20-30 drops 3 times a day.