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.
Macérât glycériné ou macérât huileux : quelles différences ?
Dans le commerce, il est possible de retrouver deux sortes de macérats différents : huileux ou glycériné. Alors quelle est la différence ?
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.
Le macérât huileux quant à lui est tout simplement mis à macérer dans une huile végétale au choix. Lors de cette macération, l’huile végétale devient le support des vertus thérapeutiques contenues dans les extraits de plantes. L’avantage de ce support provient de la synergie créée entre l’huile choisie et les différents principes actifs. Grâce à la synergie avec l’huile, l’efficacité de ceux-ci se retrouve décuplée.
Les méthodes de fabrication des macérats de bourgeons
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.
Le macérât concentré
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.
Le macérât glycériné 1D
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.
Conservation et précaution d’emploi
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.