Last week Thursday was my Grand Rounds presentation, and I presented on gemmotherapy! Gemmotherapy is a form of phytotherapy that uses extracts made from the buds, young shoots, and young rootlets of the plants. These specific plant parts contain meristems, permanent regions of growth, and constituents that aren’t found in mature plants, such as plant stem cells. These plant stem cells aid in rejuvenation and cellular repair.  

Gemmos can be used to help all aspects of the body, including mental function, endurance, detoxification, arthritis, wound healing, vision, gastrointestinal complaints, etc.

When I was researching gemmos in preparation for the presentation, I came across a research study that had patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were already on the conventional medications (DMARDs, NSAIDs, and steroids), adding in three specific gemmos: Ribes nigrum, Buxus semperviens, and Vitis vinifera. After three months, all of the patients had clinical amelioration of symptoms and were able to reduce medications.

In clinic, I’ve prescribed four gemmos, but only one patient has started taking it so far. Tilia tomentosa has helped tremendously with reducing stress and insomnia. Another patient is planning to get three gemmos that I recommended which are specific for breaking down scar tissue. I’m excited to see what progress we will make!

There is a lot more for me to learn, and I plan to take a post-grad webinar class so that I have this as another tool in my naturopathic toolbox!