Coming from the Latin word gemmae meaning "bud", gemmotherapy is a branch of phytotherapy that treats various health problems through the use of "plant embryonic tissue". In particular, the use of buds, rootlets and other young shoots belonging to plants and trees.
This therapeutic practice, first known as "phytoembryotherapy" was discovered in the 1960s by a Belgian doctor named Pol Henry.
What is a macerate?
During his research, Pol Henry discovered that buds contain large quantities of minerals, vitamins, hormones and trace elements.
He also put forward the theory that buds, being the embryos of plants, contain the genetic material of the entire future plant: roots, leaves, stems, flowers. For example, the lime tree has sedative properties thanks to its leaves, but its sapwood and leaves are also known for their depurative and diuretic virtues.
To obtain a macerate, the freshly picked buds are macerated in a specific mixture for some time to extract the various active ingredients. At the end of the maceration process, the solution, called "macerate", contains all the therapeutic virtues found in the original buds. Maceration has the advantage of keeping all the active ingredients intact without any alteration.
Glycerine macerate or oily macerate: what are the differences?
In the trade, it is possible to find two different kinds of macerates: oily or glycerol macerate. So what is the difference?
In the trade, it is possible to find two different kinds of macerates: oily or glycerol macerate. So what is the difference?
As noted in its name, glycerine macerate is the result of macerating plant extracts, buds or other young shoots in a mixture of water, alcohol and glycerine. Each element of the mixture has its specific role:
Alcohol extracts alkaloids and heterosides.
The water extracts minerals, vitamins and flavonoids.
Vegetable glycerine extracts phenols and flavonoids.
As for the oily macerate, it is simply macerated in a vegetable oil of your choice. During this maceration, the vegetable oil becomes the carrier of the therapeutic virtues contained in the plant extracts. The advantage of this support comes from the synergy created between the chosen oil and the various active ingredients. Thanks to that synergy with the oil, the efficiency of the latter is increased tenfold.
Methods of production of bud macerates
In gemmotherapy, we can distinguish two methods of producingglycerol bud macerate.
The 1D glycerine macerate
The concentrated macerate
The two manufacturing methods have in common the maceration in a solvent. It is the composition of the solvent that will distinguish them.
The concentrated macerate
Nowadays, concentrated macerate is the most widely used manufacturing method. For about twenty days, the fresh, whole buds are macerated in a mixture of :
1/3 water
1/3 alcohol at 90°.
1/3 of glycerine
Then, after being filtered, the solution obtained is extracted by gentle pressure. This technique allows the macerate to retain all the properties of the buds in a concentrated solution.
The 1D glycerol macerate
This method of maceration is carried out using freshly crushed buds placed for 3 weeks in a solution of :
50% alcohol at 90°.
50% glycerine
At the end of the three weeks, the solution called "mother macerate" will undergo extraction under very high pressure and the extract obtained will then be diluted in another mixture containing water, alcohol and glycerine.
The 1D macerate thus obtained is a solution ten times more diluted than the concentrated macerate.
As the buds are not macerated in water, the solution is not considered to be a homeopathic preparation.
Storage and precautions for use
Despite their natural aspect, gemmotherapy and glycerine macerates must be used with care.
The conservation and use of macerates can vary according to the products, so it is advisable to read the product indications before use.
Some macerates are not recommended for people with heart disease or those suffering from coagulation disorders and hypertension.
During the first three months of pregnancy, it is advisable to seek the advice of a doctor before taking any buds.
Children and pregnant women (from the fourth month onwards) can take buds unless otherwise indicated on the box.
For people undergoing medical treatment, it should be checked that the buds do not interact with the medicines taken.
