It can be confusing with the variety of remedies on offer to compare and find out which one(s) might be best for you. This blog will cover some of the differences between the remedies depending on what your preferences are.
Raw vs Heat Treated
First, we look at the different methods of processing and how these might influence your choice.
Capsules are the most common order, I suspect precisely because they are processed into a supplement-like capsule and consequently don’t look anything like the placenta! The placenta is washed, sliced, dehydrated with heat, ground up and put into capsules. The strictly controlled and carefully monitored heating process ensures that any potential bacteria are killed.
The placenta infused oil is also subject to heat treatment. Apricot kernel oil is infused (over heat) with capsule powder (itself heat treated)
The tincture is a different beast, not heat treated but also not completely raw since a high proof alcohol is used which inhibits bacterial growth.
The smoothies are made from a small piece of raw placenta. Rinsed and blended with organic fruit and spring water, the smoothies seem to pack a potent punch in terms of benefits, arguably because you do not lose as many of the hormones and nutrients and also retain the stem cells that get lost in the heat treatment process. Some people simply don’t feel comfortable with raw remedies though and that’s okay, whether because of worry of what it might taste like (I PROMISE it tastes of fruit) or because it seems too similar to actual raw placenta. You’ve got to go with what you feel comfortable with.
With my 2nd baby, I chose a smoothie pack to get all of the raw goodness, a tincture and homeopathy (so that I would still have remedies when I had finished my capsules.)
Did you have a strong preference either way in terms of heat treatment vs raw? Or perhaps you’ve just heard more about capsules?
Budget
Money, cash, spondoolies, dosh, wonga, next we talk about cost.
Placenta remedies are not cheap. Not because placenta specialists charge too much but because of the equipment, time intensive process, travel time, specialist disinfectants, and prep/pack down cleaning process (longer than the actual processing time!)
Having said that, some options are cheaper than others.
Above, we looked at raw vs heat treated remedies. Peoples’ comfort levels around those seem to be the deciding factor re which remedies they choose since the capsules continue to be the most popular choice despite being the most costly.
Every so often, I do like to remind people that there is a more budget friendly option- smoothie packs! These are ice cube sized portions of placenta (frozen) to be whizzed up into smoothies at home and these cost £120 compared to capsules at £190.
You can even add a tincture to have long term support and this will still cost less than capsules.
This does depend on people being okay about raw remedies though. In addition, there are some circumstances whereby raw remedies would not be recommended:
- if meconium (baby’s first poo) is passed during labour/birth
- if there has been a positive gbs test
Is a smoothie or smoothie pack something you’d consider?
Short term vs Long term remedies
How long do they last? Which are the most ‘worth it?’
Short term
A single smoothie is a short term remedy- it is consumed immediately past birth and then it’s gone. (Though it is only available as an add on product to capsules because if it wasn’t, the cost to factor in the time travelling and equipment etc would be prohibitive!)
Why do people order one? To get a powerful boost of stem cells and hormones untouched by the heat treatment that capsules go through. The feedback from the smoothies is almost ridiculous in terms of milk supply and energy levels.
Medium term
Capsules, Smoothie packs & cosmetics fall under medium term remedies. Capsules, depending on how many you receive (depending on the size of the placenta) can last for 6-8 weeks, supporting you while your body is healing and recovering from birth. Smoothie packs last for slightly less time, depending on how often you have them (1 per day vs 1 every few days) The facial oil and balm obviously run out but you are able to reorder these on the website if you’d like to.
Long term remedies
Then you have the long term remedies. I know that sometimes it’s almost impossible to consider adding on homeopathy or tincture on top of the cost of capsules. The truth is that the thought and practicalities of spending money when you’re about to go on maternity leave is hard. It is a very worthy investment but obviously just not possible for everyone. If you’re up for a challenge you can also make your own tincture. The benefit of them is that they can last a lifetime. The tincture can last forever, including supporting you through menopause and your homeopathy pillules can be reordered.
In terms of which remedies are most ‘worth it’- it’s personal choice- whichever ones fit with your own preferences and budget.
Did this give you any thinking points or did you learn anything new? Let me know 🙂 If you have any questions at all about the different remedies feel free to talk it through with me.
