Tree Medicine: A Little Guide to Gemmotherapy

By Kate Scott BSc, medical herbalist, shepherdess & agricultural consultant

With the buds beginning to break, I thought I’d take the opportunity to introduce you to the world of gemmotherapy, or phytoembryology as it’s known by some.

I only discovered this little gem (pardon the pun) a few years ago when I stumbled across an article on how new buds have potent properties as medicines due to their embryonic properties, and it made me eager to find out more.

This form of herbal medicine or plant stem cell therapy has the potential to help treat many issues, from anxiety to inflammation, and it can also be really beneficial in detoxifying the body (think recovery from orthodox medicines or long-term illness).

Essentially, gemmotherapy is a form of herbal medicine where buds are macerated to extract their medicinal properties in a mixture of alcohol and glycerine, which is then diluted before administering in the form of drops.

It takes practice to identify tree buds out in the field, but some, such as blackcurrant, you may have in the garden.

How to Prepare the Remedies

I’ve included a short materia medica for some of the key remedies at the end of this article; here’s how to prepare and use them.

Collect Your Buds: On a dry day, gather fresh buds and weigh them.
Prepare the Macerate: For every 10g of buds, you’ll need 100ml of vodka and 100ml of glycerine. Place the buds in a jar and submerge them in the liquid mixture.
Maceration Period: Leave the jar to macerate for 21 days. Every few days, gently jiggle the jar to ensure the buds remain submerged, but avoid shaking it.
Strain the Mixture: After 21 days, strain the liquid through a fine muslin cloth.
Dilution: For every 10ml of the concentrated macerate, add 50ml of pure spring water (avoid tap water), 30ml of vodka, and 20ml of glycerine.
Storage: Store any remaining concentrated macerate in a dark glass bottle, labeled appropriately, for future dilution or use at a reduced dosage.

Dosage Guidelines

Original Maceration: Administer 5-15 drops twice daily in water.
Diluted Solution: Administer 50-100 drops twice daily in water.

Dosage is calculated for a 55-120kg animal or human; adjust proportionately for different weights.

Materia Medica: Key Remedies and Their Uses

Birch: Detoxifier; aids in rheumatic and skin conditions.
Blackcurrant: Anti-allergenic properties.
Bramble: Supports respiratory complaints.
Chestnut: Aids the lymphatic system; useful after illness.
Fig: Alleviates anxiety.
Hawthorn: Supports the cardiovascular system.
Hazel: Supports lungs; addresses respiratory complaints.
Heather: Addresses urinary problems..
Oak: Acts as a general tonic.
White Willow: Provides pain relief and anti-inflammatory benefits.

About the author

Kate Scott BSc is a medical herbalist, agricultural consultant, and shepherdess with a heritage rooted in generations of herbalists and drovers. She works as a training provider for Whole Health Agriculture. and runs Roundhill Agricultural Consultancy and The Drover’s Daughter, where she combines her expertise in herbal medicine with hands-on farming. She also researches sustainable farming methods and creates botanical products using sheep’s milk and wild plants.

Learn more about Kate on our team page and check out The Drover’s Daughter for more herbal and farming insights from Kate.

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