Gemmotherapy

Introduction

 
This is not a book about using gemstones for healing, even though that tends to be the first impression most uninformed laypeople develop from the title.  The word “gemmotherapy” is derived from the Latin word “gemma,” which means “bud,” and the Greek word “therapeia,” (from “therapeuein”) translated into English as “medical treatment” (as in treatment for an illness or disability).  Actually, gemmotherapy is a modern, powerful, natural medical intervention that focuses on the cause of disease; thereby separating itself from the synthetic pharmaceutically-based, conventional medical approach of symptom masking which dominates the Western World of medicine today.  

Gemmotherapy was conceived in France during the 1950s by a group of medical homeopaths who had a wide-array of diversified interests in natural medicine.  Gemmotherapy, soon thereafter, was born as a form of herbal medicine in France during the mid-1960s.  After a goodly sum of clinical research, clinical trials, and actual successful treatment protocols using gemmotherapy, it spread throughout France and into Italy, during the 1970s.  In the 1980s, some research was published in English.

Outside of those two countries though, with few, diminutive exceptions, gemmotherapy remained virtually unknown to most of the Western World of Medicine, at large, and English-speaking medical professionals, in general; until, that is, in 2002 when Dr. Marcus Greaves published his book entitled Gemmotherapy and Oligotherapy Regenerators of Dying Intoxicated Cells; followed by Dr. Speroni lecturing in 2004 about gemmotherapy around the world, publishing his book, Gemmotherapy and Oligotherapy for Natural Health Practitioners, in 2009, and eventually developing a college-level, college-based training program to certify practitioners as gemmotherapists at the College of International Holistic Studies {CIHS} (thereby allowing healthcare and wellness professionals to employ gemmos as sole nutritional measures geared toward improving life, or use them either symptomatically or systemically as an adjunct to other therapeutic approaches). 

Thus, this is a book about scientifically-based, real medicine and powerful therapeutic agents. It is a must read for everybody – professional and layperson alike – who wants to know more about gemmotherapy and oligotherapy! It serves at the core of a college curriculum at the College of International Holistic Studies, designed for medical doctors, naturopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and other healthcare and wellness professionals in mainstream, integrative, and complementary and alternative medicines.  It is a fascinating and well-written book that provides the reader with not only a valuable reference source but also enough information about how anyone may incorporate gemmotherapy effectively and confidently into a clinical or consultation practice.
 

Gemmotherapy

Gemmotherapy medicines are a type of extremely potent herbal remedies manufactured principally from embryonic (stem cell) vegetable tissue (buds and emerging shoots), of various trees and shrubs; also from the reproductive parts (seeds and catkins); also from newly-grown tissue (rootlets and the cortex of rootlets); and in some cases, from sap.  Following collection, the vegetable tissue is macerated (constituents are separated by soaking) in a glycerin and alcohol solution.  These tissue components are always freshly harvested from live plants, during their growing stage. They are specially selected and used in order to make remedies that possess unusual degrees of potency and unique sets of beneficial powers.

As raw material, the nascent vegetable tissue boasts various nutrients, vitamins, enzymes, and plant hormones which, in many cases, are not present when the respective plants mature. The embryonic tissues contain phytohormones, auxins, and gibberellins (various hormones produced by plants that control or regulate germination, growth, metabolism, or other physiological activities) that are passed into the gemmotherapy remedies and when consumed by humans, act on organs and organ systems to gently stimulate and promote elimination, protein synthesis, detoxification, nourishment, RNA repair, and select tissue regeneration.

The emerging parts of the plants are particularly effective for cellular-level drainage and detoxifying actions within the human body.  Synthetic pharmaceutical agents (medicinal prescription and over-the-counter drugs), most herbs, and homeopathic remedies that are prepared from the whole plant (usually flowering) do not have many of the key elements (growth factors, phytohormones, auxins, and gibberellins) present during the growth stage of immature plants, as first noted above.  This is because the buds contain many active principles that start to disappear after a plant reaches a certain point in its development.

Two cases in point:
1) Auxins, which stimulate cell growth;
2) Gibberellins, which stimulate RNA and protein synthesis. 
These principles are found only in the buds of a plant and not in matured plants.  Additionally, they are rich in vitamins, anthocyanins (various water-soluble pigments), and essential minerals and trace elements.

Based on their established safety record, abundance of nutrients, and known, positive effects on and support for human health, cure, recovery, and long-term wellbeing, gemmotherapy remedies are frequently administered in mixtures (complexes) or combinations. Further, they are often used together with herbal medicines, oligotherapy, and detoxification protocols. They may even be administered along with many prescription drug therapies, including chemotherapy.

Here are three (3) examples of how the embryonic vegetable matter used to create gemmotherapy solutions benefits humans while providing diverse, favorable effects and respective explanations as to why. 

1. The gemmo Ribes Nigrum (Blackcurrant) is anti-inflammatory. How come? Because it stimulates corticotrophin-releasing hormone (produced by the hypothalamus that stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone) -- steroidal production of the adrenals. Blackcurrants, once matured, though, do not have this power.

2. Ficus Carica (Figs) aids in the regulation factors of the Axis Cortico-Diencephalic (the posterior part of the forebrain that connects the midbrain with the cerebral hemispheres, encloses the third ventricle, and contains the thalamus and hypothalamus -- also called thalamencephalon) functions making it an anti-anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) of psychosomatic problems.  However, once again, the matured figs do not demonstrate the same precise powerful characteristics.

3. Tilia Tomentosa (Linden Tree), containing the all-natural phytochemical franesol – an all natural sedative that helps with heart palpitations, spasmodic colitis, Basedow syndrome (characterized by a triad of hyperthyroidism, goiter, and exophthalmos {bulging eyeballs}), insomnia, excessive weight, spasmodic dysphonia (voice disorder caused by involuntary movements of one or more muscles of the larynx {voice box}), and obsessions.  Unlike pharmaceutically-developed tranquilizers and other synthetic agents, all – all – gemmo products, when administered properly, are generally safe, easy on the human systems, complementary and supportive to the human organism, non-addictive, and non-toxic.

An entire section of this book is dedicated to comprehensive reference tables.  Some of these tables appear in the form of lists, alphabetically arranged by diseases and other health challenges.  Other tables are organized by remedy names and enumerate respective applications.  Virtually every classification of illness and disease category is included.  For whatever ailment is unlisted, the data tables provide enough information to the reader in order for her or him to extrapolate which principle agents are indicated for treatment.

This book, written by Dr. Speroni, was designed and is thus intended to complement previous English-language books and reference manuals on gemmotherapy written by other authors.  It does not serve in any way to replace other works in the field.  Whereas Dr. Greaves' book provides much more on the history and development of gemmotherapy, its connection to homeopathy, a quantum physics-based theory regarding the cause of homeopathic remedy effectiveness, some religo-spiritual contention, and case histories, this book delivers the reader to a position far beyond stories related to the history of the discipline, facts regarding toxicity, and theories concerning detoxification and cellular-level drainage.  Dr. Speroni’s book positions the reader using direct examinations of practical, organ-specific applications and posology, while covering a wide-array of health challenges (from everyday illnesses to rare diseases) and thus leaving no need for guessing by the practitioner about what to do for patients.  Further, Dr. Speroni discusses the before, during, and after steps used in support of gemmotherapy concurrent with oligotherapy that are found nowhere else in any language.  In this tome rests a complete guide to gemmotherapy for all natural medicine practitioners.

Within the realm of natural medicine there is homeopathy.  Within the discipline of homeopathic medicine, gemmotherapy – a natural pharmacology – belongs to the realm of phytotherapy (more specifically embryophytotherapy), but differs since it only uses the embryonic tissue and employs a nutraceutical potency dilution restricted to ten-percent.  The potency factor is of the utmost import in this field of nutraceuticalology.  (Nutraceuticals are foods, food products, plants, herbs, and all-natural nutritional supplements that can be used for their medicinal benefits.)  The one-tenth potency is the medicinal form of gemmotherapy remedies and the only one employed by homeopaths (90% of the formula is 50% glycerin, 30% alcohol and 20% water; 10% is plant product).

As soon as they are harvested, the bud and embryonic plant tissue are soaked in a mixture of glycerin and alcohol, in a ratio of 1 to 20 of the dry weight of the fresh plant used.  Glycerin is selected as an excipient (inert substance used as a diluent or vehicle for a drug) as it allows for excellent extraction of the embryonic ingredients.  After three weeks, the macerate is filtered and diluted to 1/10 with a mixture of water, alcohol, and glycerin.  This 1/10 concentration (often called “first decimal potency”) provides the maximum and, above all, most consistent effects on humans.

A concentration that is stronger than the gemmotherapeutic standard risks causing some intolerance phenomena.  A concentration weaker than the gemmotherapeutic standard would provide irregular activity.  Further, improper mixing of gemmotherapeutic remedies in the same bottle carries the risk of chemical reactions that could modify or alter their therapeutic properties.  Gemmotherapy complexes have been developed, notwithstanding, since the 1960s, scientifically and clinically tested, and do provide combined gemmotherapeutic powers without the risk of adverse chemical properties.  Moreover, in the mid-1980s, scientific research lead to the development of a powerfully effective, superior delivery form of gemmo remedies and complexes, in a brand name line, “Gemmobase”, or concentrated formula (more information below).

Gemmotherapy is so precise that specific types of gemmo remedies and gemmo complexes are employed according to the tissue(s), organ(s), organ system(s), imbalance(s), dominant psychophysiological constitution, dominant nervous system, and/or oxidative type of the individual who will benefit from them.  Clinical indications, in most cases, also provide a range of possibilities that a practitioner can use in a simple manner, in order to allow for a rapid application of gemmotherapy with beneficial results.  Although generally safe, easy on the system, non-addictive, non-toxic, and extremely effective, gemmo remedies and complexes are neither vitamins nor candy; therefore, professional consultation from a highly-trained and qualified gemmotherapist or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) provider should be sought and obtained before the use of any gemmotherapy product.

Here are just two (2) examples why professional guidance is valuable when considering gemmotherapy concurrent with oligotherapy.  Warning:  Do not mix vasodilators (nerve drugs that cause dilation of a blood vessel) with vasoconstrictors (nerve drugs that cause constriction of a blood vessel) if anticoagulant (prevents blood clotting) activity is sought.  Also, do not mix the wrong trace minerals with certain gemmo remedies and complexes.  As with anything, even water in excess consumption, inappropriate use, and improperly combining it with select chemicals can cause adverse effects.

"If nature is not sufficient to cure, art teaches us to provoke the nonviolent powers within the human body, which would help, without risk to get rid of whatever burdens."  Hippocrates.  Gemmotherapy is the all-in-one, all natural, nonviolent power best suited for supporting and complementing other natural measures in pathways designed to regain health in the present, maintain wellness, and support long-term wellbeing!  Gemmotherapy remedies and complexes contain the vegetable “Live Stems Cells” of the vegetable world.  Chief features of gemmotherapy are:

There are two methods of gemmotherapy delivery:  traditional and concentrated (also known by the brand name Gemmobase).  As mentioned earlier, traditional gemmotherapy dates back to the 1960s and is the homeopathic version (1/10 potency, first decimal) which still contains some phytochemicals; but it is more diluted (with alcohol) than the concentrated form.  Although considered a homeopathic remedy and used as one, technically, gemmotherapy is not true to homeopathy, because homeopathy is based on vibrational dilution and not active phytochemicals.  Traditional gemmotherapy first decimal potency requires 50 drops, 3 times a day, per remedy.  Noteworthy here is the fact that for pediatric usage, hypertensive persons, pregnant women, animals, topical uses, and alcoholics, the amount of alcohol in a 1/10 potency delivery is most likely problematic.

More universally friendly is the concentrated delivery method.  The concentrated delivery method is 5% or 10:1.  Buds and young shoots are organically grown, freshly picked, and harvested in the spring (the highest point of biological and energetic activity in their annual cycle of growth and renewal); then, macerated in water, vegetable glycerin, and alcohol for 21 days before being filtered.  The mother maceration is 5% (10:1) concentration.  More concentrated means more active hormones.  The concentrated delivery method features much, much less alcohol ingestion than the traditional first decimal homeopathic potency.  Concentrated delivery requires only 5 drops, 3 times a day, per remedy or complex.

Both delivery forms, however, do best when added to one-half glass of water.  That is, add the gemmotherapy solution to four (4) ounces of pure distilled or mineral water in a glass.  The solution should be taken 30 or more minutes before each meal, or not sooner than 2 hours after a meal.  Also, gemmotherapy remedies and products should not be taken within 15 minutes of teeth brushing.  Three hours, minimum, should pass in between repeated doses of a gemmotherapy remedy or complex.  Finally, increasing water intake by 25% to 50% (2 to 4, eight-ounce glasses extra) per day, so that toxins can be more readily flushed out of the body, is well advised.

All bottled gemmotherapy formulae (remedies and complexes) should be stored below 25° Celsius (77° Fahrenheit).  Always store gemmotherapy bottles out of the reach of children and out of direct sunlight.  They should be used within five (5) years of the date on which the plant material was picked.

 

Oligotherapy is, simply, trace mineral therapy.  Oligotherapy dates back to the 1940s.  Oligotherapy increases the individual action and effectiveness of other elements.  It helps in correcting mineral excess or deficiency due to improper eating habits.  These minerals are required for certain biological exchanges to take place.

Oligotherapy utilizes metalloid (a nonmetallic element, such as carbon, that can form an alloy {a homogeneous mixture or solid solution of two or more metals} with metals) homeopathic dilutions of trace elements to improve enzyme function and is commonly used with the other therapies, including, but not limited to gemmotherapy and homeopathy.  Oligoelements are used concurrently with gemmotherapy (see above) because they act as catalysts (substances that modify and increase the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process).  When the oligoelements catalyze the enzymatic systems of the body to more efficiently utilize the gemmotherapy, powerful detoxification takes place within weeks that would otherwise take months with gemmotherapy alone.

The oligoelements present in the concentrated gemmotherapy delivery method are very close in amounts to the ones used in homeopathy or oligotherapy.  This diminishes the amount of oligotherapy supplementation required to perfectly complement concentrated delivery methods versus traditional.  Therefore, Dr. Speroni posits multi-mineral complexes delivered in a fluvic solution base as being perfectly indciated for trace mineral supplementation concurrent with concentrated gemmotherapy administrations.  (He covers, in detail, his fulvic molecule postulation, in this book.)  Oligotherapy supplementation is believed to enhance the movement of ions, essential for life, into and out of the cell.  They work by optimizing the ionic channels on the surface of cells allowing flow to occur.  This flow is necessary in order to optimize gemmotherapeutic activities at a cellular – and even atomic – level.

 

Gemmotherapy provides an extremely useful and powerful tool to expedite a person’s recovery when utilized with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques, including bioenergetic and nutritional support. While many people want to get well, they also have to be moved out of discomfort as quickly as is possible, if pain is something haunting them.  Natural medicine practitioners are as concerned as conventional providers, when it comes to readily surmounting the influences of pain upon a person.  Speedy progress is thus commanded, lest a person resorts to allopathic means (mainstream pharmaceutical agents) to get relief, thereby complicating the CAM practitioner’s work.  Speeding up the results increases people’s compliance with CAM techniques and approaches; plus it gives positive, very much wanted results to the people using CAM solutions. 

As noted above, when oligotherapy products are used simultaneously with gemmotherapy solutions, the oligoelements catalyze the enzymatic systems of the body to more efficiently utilize the gemmotherapy, aid in detoxification processes, and do in weeks that would take months with gemmotherapy alone.  In this book, Dr. Speroni provides excellent details on what trace elements work with which gemmotherapy products.  He also provides, in Section 4, several chapters consistingly solely of reference tables that reflect line-by-line entries satisfactory for cross-reference employment. 

It is reasonable to explain to people that, through the use of gemmotherapy concurrent with oligotherapy:

1.  they should expect approximately one (1) month for each year of disease (illness, injury, suffering, etc.) before they experience significant outcomes;

2.  frequently, cleansing of the excretory organs, such as kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, and even the skin, aids in the processes of detoxification and drainage. Therefore, the time people should expect before experiencing significant outcomes directly depends on the state of their livers, gallbladders, colons, pancreases, etc., as well as the strength of their emotions and cell vitality;

3. for an average person, gemmotherapy and oligotherapy solutions take anywhere between 4 weeks and 4 months to begin showing positive effects.
   
   

The general dosage of the gemmotherapy remedies is 50 drops per day, taken in little water for a period of 16 - 38 weeks.  The dosage should be adjusted according to individual tolerance.  However, posology differs on a remedy and condition basis.  For example:

ABIES PECTINATA (Pinaceae) Posology:  50 drops three time a day in fractures, 50 – 70 drops a day in calcification disturbances, associated with Betula Verr or Betula Pub.

AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM (Hippocastanaceae) Posology:  60 – 400 drops a day in water.

ALNUS GLUTINOSA (Betulaceae) Posology:  30 drops a day in water.

ALNUS INCANA (Betulaceae) Posology:  100 drops a day in the morning associated with Vaccinium Vitis and Rubus Fruticosus; the same posology at noon and in the evening, for 2 months and 2 months pause.

AMPELOPSIS WEITCHII (Parthenocissus tricuspidata var. Weitchii) (Vitaceae) Posology:  25 – 50 drops three times a day, or 50 drops three times a day in Dupuytren´s disease alternating with Ribes Nigrum, in the same posology.

BETULA PUBESCENS (Betulaceae) Posology:  25 – 30 drops three times a day.

CORNUS SANGUINEA (Rutatceae) Posology:  50 drops in the morning and evening in arteritis, eventually associated with Populus Nigra, 75 drops a day.

CORYLUS AVELLANA (Corylaceae) Posology:  150 drops a day.

Therefore, a professional gemmotherapist or CAM practitioner who is well-educated in gemmotherapy run concurrently with oligotherapy should be consulted before a person considers this area of natural medicine and avenue of health supplementation support.

 

If you still have unanswered questions and/or would appreciate additional information related to natural medicine and/or CAM disciplines and practices in general, or gemmotherapy in particular, please feel free to contact Dr. Anthony Speroni by either e-mail or telephone (407-349-5100). 

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