Introduction
Herbalism is based on phytotherapy, which uses medicinal plants in different galenic forms. Dried plants (herbal teas, capsules, etc.), essential oils (aromatherapy), mother tinctures, bud macerates (gemmotherapy), and many other forms help us to solve and prevent health problems.
Gemmotherapy is distinguished from other forms by the use of embryonic tissues of trees. The preparations made in gemmotherapy are in fact made from young plant tissues (young shoots and fresh buds in particular). The benefits of bud macerates on the body are now recognized.
The use of buds and young shoots for therapeutic purposes is not a recent practice. Indeed, many peoples have used them since ancient times. Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines have used them for thousands of years. Closer to us, Hildegarde de Bingen already recommended in the 12th century the use of 8 tree buds: birch, blackcurrant, hornbeam, chestnut, lemon, rosehip, poplar and apple tree. Alchemists made a particularly effective spring elixir from it.
It seems that Goethe's study of plants was the inspiration for so-called modern gemmotherapy.
It was the work of the Belgian doctor Pol Henry (in the 1960s) that gave its letters of nobility to therapy by buds or more generally by the young plant tissues of the trees and shrubs that surround it. He finally named it "gemmotherapy". His practice is based on the use of bud macerates diluted 1/10. Doctor Pol Henry makes the link between pathologies and blood profile and then observes the biochemical changes in his patients treated with bud macerates.
In the 70s, Max Téteau, a French homeopathic doctor, continued his Belgian colleague's research on bud macerate diluted 1/10, but in a different approach. His studies confirmed in particular the pharmacological superiority of the bud over the whole plant. He also studied the more subtle action of buds on the psyche and emotions. His work contributed to the influence of gemmotherapy, and its virtues, among his colleagues.
At the end of the 80s, it was Philippe Andrianne, founder of Herbalgem, who made gemmotherapy accessible to all, by making a food supplement of the mother macerate (undiluted bud macerate or concentrated macerate). Gemmotherapy then began to become popular. His symptom-based approach helped popularize this branch of herbal medicine.
In contemporary times
In addition to a scientific approach, Christian Escriva and Stéphane Boistard now offer a more sensitive approach to gemmotherapy.
Christian Escriva, based in the Alpes Maritimes and author of several books, transforms the plants he cultivates biodynamically as well as wild plants. He actively contributes to research in gemmotherapy, in particular by expanding the list of trees concerned, and by developing a sensory approach that gives full place to the diluted extracts he recommends.
He also questioned the use of glycerin and opened the door to other excipients: agave syrup, grape syrup, honey, etc.
Stéphane Boistard also tends to distance himself from the symptomatic approach of gemmotherapy. He favors the sensitive approach, in particular through a reconnection to the genius of trees and the forest. He shares this approach in his book and offers periodic video meetings to make us hear the "Way of the Trees".
He has chosen to replace glycerin with honey in the mother macerates that he produces.
We would like to give special mention to Doctor Fernando Pitera for his "Précis de gemmothérapie" which is indeed considered a major reference.
We cannot isolate man from his natural environment and it is within this remarkable balance that the process of his well-being and healing takes place... Healing oneself with what has sprouted from the earth is the most beneficial act that can be conceived, the most intimate and effective therapeutic interaction between the forces of nature and human pathology... - Dr Fernando Pitera
Gemmotherapy has taken off. Today, many of us are contributing to its dissemination; it is a very beautiful collective energy...
