Why Would I Eat That?
Eating your placenta, ewww, why would I want to eat that? It's the first thing that comes out of peoples mouths when the topic of placenta encapsulation comes up. While we're seeing it become more mainstream, there's still a bit of taboo behind it. Honestly, I wasn't exactly sold on it myself until I saw first hand the benefits my clients experienced. Now I'm placenta crazy, I get so excited when I get that call. Not only do I find placentas beautiful, I now know that they are just as unique as the baby who's home it was for the last 9 months. You see every placenta is made especially for your baby and for your body. It contains hormones and nutrients that you can't get anywhere else. So, why waste it? There's many different ways to consume your placenta but first, lets talk about the benefits.
Possible Benefits of Consuming Your Placenta...
- Reduces Risk of Postpartum Depression
- Increase Milk Supply
- Stabilizes Hormones
- Increase in Energy
- Decrease in Postnatal Bleeding
- Increases Postnatal Iron Levels
- Helps Shrink Uterus Back to Normal Size
- Speeds Up Recovery Time
Even if consuming your placenta only helps with a few of the things listed, wouldn't it be worth it? Believe me it's not just for hippies, people of every walk of life have found it beneficial and not everyone consumes it. Lets take a look at some of the ways you can use your placenta.
Ways To Use Your Placenta...
Placenta Encapsulation: the most popular and probably the best choice if you're a little squeamish. The placenta is dehydrated, ground, and placed into capsules. The pills look no different then any other herbal medications you would consume.
Tincture: a piece of the placenta is placed into a jar, covered in alcohol, and sits for a moon cycle (30-40 days) the placenta is then filtered out. Tinctures are great because they last forever if stored properly. Not only can you use it after giving birth, you can also use it when going through menopause. BONUS: if you had a girl, she can use when she starts her menses.
Salves: everyone uses different ingredients but mainly it's a combination of coconut oil, shea butter, almond oil, etc. and then a few teaspoons of herbs. The dehydrated, ground up placenta is added to the mix. It's a great lotion made just for you with your hormones.
Broth: If you've chosen TCM method of encapsulating your placenta there will be broth leftover. You can add it to teas, soups, or freeze it in ice cube trays and use it for smoothies.
Smoothies: really yummy and one of the fastest ways to consume your placenta after birth. If you have a doula or midwife they can make you one right there in the hospital room. Just take a piece of the placenta, pop it in the blender with some berries and coconut milk or any other of your favorite ingredients.
Last but not least...just going for it and eating it. You can fry it up with eggs and make little breakfast burritos, soups, chili, and even chocolate truffles. The possibilities are endless.
Some people don't share that they've consumed their placenta, others brag about it. Either way enough people are seeing the benefits that the secret is out. I wish I would have known the benefits when I had my kids. I know now that it would have made my postpartum period much smoother. So, why would I eat that? The real question is, why not?
