Chapter 5
The Gemmotherapy Remedies

Materia Medica

Black Currant
Ribes nigrum

The original native regions for black currant appear to be the Himalayas and the plains of Nepal. It is a bush that grows to an average of four or five feet high and produces black berries with a bittersweet flavor.

Plant Constituents
The berries contain a high level of vitamin C, sugars, and flavonoids, which are useful for addressing circulatory problems.

Black currant seeds contain linoleic acids and 18 percent gamma-linolenic acid, which makes this bush a very important weapon in the health professional’s arsenal.

Traditional Uses
In ancient times, black currant leaves reputedly had the ability to heal cuts and wounds. The leaves also had the reputation for fighting against inflammation caused by bee stings as well as being effective for treating whitlow--a painful abscess in the finger--and gout. Hildegard of Bingen recommended it as a panacea. In 1712 it was dubbed the Elixir of Life by the Abbot of Montaran because of its positive effect on longevity.

The Gemmotherapy Remedy
The part used for the gemmotherapy remedy is the bud.

Principal Action
If you had to choose only one gemmotherapy remedy to take with you to a desert island, it would have to be black currant. This is because of its high vitamin C content and because it is a powerful immune system booster. Black currant also has a powerful stimulating effect on the adrenal glands. Additionally, it has proved to be one of the preeminent antiallergenic and anti-inflammatory agents available, one that is as powerful as cortisone without any of the adverse side effects.

It is an indispensable remedy for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other painful joint disorders as well for treating various skin allergies such as psoriasis and eczema.

Secondary Action
Thanks to its constituent elements, black currant provides an excellent remedy against fatigue, including both physical and mental exhaustion. It is also highly effective against all kinds of infections.

English Walnut
Juglans regia

The English walnut is actually native to Persia and gradually spread into Europe by way of Greece, Italy, and France. It is slow to reach maturity, attaining its adult height at eight years.

Plant Constituents
Walnuts contain napthoquinones that possess a laxative action similar to that of the anthraquinones, and also contain the organic compounds, juglones, whose antibacterial properties have been amply demonstrated.

Traditional Uses
Because of their shape, walnuts were used--in accordance with the doctrine of signatures (what resembles an organ can be used to treat problems suffered by that organ)--as a brain tonic. The fluid from walnut leaves was also used for draining the liver and a decoction made from this tree was used for the treatment of eye problems.

The Gemmotherapy Remedy
The part used for the gemmotherapy remedy is the bud.

Principal Action
This extract targets the digestive system, especially the colon where walnut reveals an anti-diarrheic action, which helps reestablish intestinal flora following antibiotic treatment.

Secondary Action
Psoriasis, eczema, and acne have all responded favorably to treatment with walnut extract because of its purifying action that works in tandem with its intestinal action. It has also demonstrated an ability to retard the development of cataracts.

[From chapter 6, Gemmotherapy Treatment Protocol]

The Skin
The skin--the most extensive organ of the body and one that serves protection, sensorial, and elimination functions simultaneously--is the most visible reflection of the state of our health. It is also a reflection of the nervous system as it originates from the same embryonic tissue that gave birth to this system during the period of gestation and also has a connection with the digestive tract and the kidneys.

There are four essential gemmotherapy extracts for handling all dermatology issues: cedar, elm, walnut, and black currant.

Cedar is an excellent remedy for treating dry eczema and pruritus (itching) for which no cause is apparent; elm is helpful against oozing and inflamed cases of eczema; walnut for infectious eczema; and black currant is valuable against all skin conditions of this nature because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious properties.

Hives, which is an illness of allergenic origin, often connected with the liver, can be treated by black currant, juniper, and alder.

Dry Eczema
Morning Protocol: Black Currant
After rising in the morning, take the recommended dose of one of the following forms of black currant extract.

D1 homeopathic strength: 150 drops in a glass of water
Full-strength concentrated extract: 15 drops in a glass of water
Oral spray: 3 sprayings

Evening Protocol: Elm
At bedtime, take the recommended dose of one of the following forms of elm extract.

D1 homeopathic strength: 150 drops in a glass of water
Full-strength concentrated extract: 15 drops in a glass of water
Oral spray: 3 sprayings

Oozing Eczema
Morning Protocol: Black Currant
After rising in the morning, take the recommended dose of one of the following forms of black currant extract.

D1 homeopathic strength: 150 drops in a glass of water
Full-strength concentrated extract: 15 drops in a glass of water
Oral spray: 3 sprayings

Evening Protocol: Walnut
At bedtime, take the recommended dose of one of the following forms of walnut extract.

D1 homeopathic strength: 100 drops in a glass of water
Full-strength concentrated extract: 10 drops in a glass of water
Oral spray: 3 sprayings

Hives
Morning Protocol: Black Currant
After rising in the morning, take the recommended dose of one of the following forms of black currant extract.

D1 homeopathic strength: 150 drops in a glass of water
Full-strength concentrated extract: 15 drops in a glass of water
Oral spray: 3 sprayings

Evening Protocol: Alder
At bedtime, take the recommended dose of one of the following forms of alder extract.

D1 homeopathic strength: 150 drops in a glass of water
Full-strength concentrated extract: 15 drops in a glass of water
Oral spray: 3 sprayings