DIY: Make Your Own Glycerin Infusions

Gemmotherapy, a branch of herbal medicine, is a gentle approach to healing that relies on the use of plant embryonic tissues: buds, young shoots, or rootlets. 

These tissues contain all of the tree’s growth potential and active compounds, and some of them also possess a distinct energetic signature.

Making Your Own glycerin macerates is a process that is simple, economical, and deeply connected to nature. Here is a comprehensive guide to understanding, preparing, and harvesting mindfully.

What is gemmotherapy?

The gemmotherapy is a branch of herbal medicine that was developed in the 1960s. It uses fresh buds, which are rich in:

• Vitamins.
• Minerals.
• Enzymes.
• Plant growth hormones.

Unlike mature plants, buds contain the tree’s entire developmental potential. They often have a profound effect, exerting what is known as a “regulatory” action on the organism.

Glycerin macerate is the most commonly used form: it involves extracting the active ingredients using a mixture of water, alcohol, and vegetable glycerin.

Why make your own macerates?

Making your own macerates at home allows you to:

• To ensure the freshness of the buds.
• To ensure the quality of the ingredients.
• To create a direct connection with plants.
• To incorporate a more intuitive and respectful approach.

It’s also an invitation to slow down, observe, and connect with the trees.

Recipe for Glycerin Bud Tincture

Ingredients

• Fresh buds (picked the same day).
• Alcohol (vodka or 40-50° alcohol).
• Vegetable glycerin.
• Spring water.
• An airtight glass jar.
• A filter (cheesecloth or coffee filter).
• A tinted glass bottle.

Proportions

The traditional recipe is based on a mixture of:

• 1/3 alcohol.
• 1/3 glycerin.
• 1/3 water.

And a classic ratio:

1 part buds to 20 parts solvent

Preparation Steps

1. Harvest Mindfully

Harvesting is a crucial step. It should never be done mechanically.

Take a moment to observe the tree. Feel its surroundings and its vitality. Pick only a few buds—never too many—and only from secondary branches.

The idea is not to “take,” but to collaborate with living things.

2. Prepare the maceration

• Coarsely chop the buds.
• Put them in the jar.
• Cover with the water/alcohol/glycerin mixture.

Seal tightly.

3. Let it steep

Let it steep for 3 weeks at room temperature, away from light.

Gently shake the jar every day to help with extraction.

4. Strain and store

• Strain the mixture.
• Squeeze the buds firmly.
• Transfer to a tinted glass bottle.

Your macerate is ready to use.

A practice "in good conscience"

Gemmotherapy is not merely a technical process. It invites us to cultivate a more subtle relationship with nature.

Respecting trees means:

• Never harvest more than 10% of the buds.
• Avoid isolated or fragile trees.
• Give priority to unpolluted areas.
• Give thanks, either silently or out loud.

This approach turns the preparation process into a true ritual.

Which buds should you pick in early May?

At this time of year, many trees are in the midst of sap rise. Here are three accessible and powerful examples.

The Birch Tree: Purification and Renewal

The birch is the quintessential spring tree. Its buds are known for:

• Support the body's elimination functions (liver, kidneys).
• Promote detoxification.
• Supporting transitions.

On a symbolic level, it represents renewal, transition, and lightness. It is often associated with new beginnings.

Blackcurrant: Energy and Inflammation

The blackcurrant bud is a staple in gemmotherapy.

In particular, it acts on:

• General fatigue.
• Inflammation.
• The immune system.

It is sometimes called "natural cortisone." Symbolically, it embodies strength, resilience, and the ability to adapt.

The Oak: Roots and Vitality

The oak is a tree of power and stability.

Its bud is used for:

• Boost overall energy.
• Combating burnout.
• Support hormonal function.

On a more subtle level, it represents stability, strength, and perseverance.

Directions for Use

Glycerin macerates are generally used:

• In 3-week treatment courses.
• A few drops a day.
• Diluted in a little water.

It's always best to start slowly and listen to how your body responds.

Limitations and Precautions

Even though they are natural, macerates are not harmless. They are not recommended for pregnant women without medical advice, and their use must be supervised if the woman has a medical condition. Be aware of drug interactions!

Making your own glycerin macerates is much more than just a recipe. It’s a way to reconnect with natural cycles, to restore meaning to the act of gathering, and to reconnect with the living world.

In gemmotherapy, every bud holds a promise: one of potential, renewal, and balance. What if, beyond the physical benefits, it were also a way to listen to what nature has to say to us?