Traditional vs. Raw Start Method
Are you wondering which method is right for you? Read below to learn more.
Traditional Preparation
Process
This process involves cooking the placenta in a steamer pot for up to 30 minutes until thoroughly cooked through. The placenta is then sliced thin and dehydrating at a medium heat until snap-dry.
Due to the steaming, these have a lower microbial count and may be the preferred method when GBS colonization is present, since GBS is killed after 30 minutes of sustained wet heat of 131 degrees.
Cooking makes more nutrients available to the digestive tract that would otherwise pass through the system unabsorbed.
Benefits
Boosted energy levels
A reduction in postpartum bleeding
Fewer symptoms of the baby blues
Improved mood
Enhanced maternal and baby bonding
Increased breastmilk production
Assisting the uterus to return to its pre pregnancy state
Helping balance and stabilize hormones after the postnatal hormone drop
Decreased instances of postpartum depression
Faster postpartum recovery
Why Choose the Traditional Method?
Some mothers prefer the steamed method as this ensures any bacteria, blood borne pathogens or microbes are killed during the steaming process. Others report it is easier to consume the placenta knowing it has been “cooked” before hand. People who choose this method often report a smoother emotional transition and a stronger, more stable milk supply due to its gentler nature.
I recommend if you are GBS positive, that this is the method you choose as the wet heat ensures the GBS bacteria is killed off.
GBS+ is not a contraindication to encapsulation, but I do require that you are honest about your health history so that I can help you in making the safest choice for your placenta. For those who have pre-existing mental health conditions, or have experienced postpartum mood disorders before, this is often the better choice as capsules created with the Raw Start method may be more potent and a little overwhelming for some mothers with a history of depression or anxiety.
Yield
This method leads to a lower yield in capsules as the steaming process shrinks the placenta.
Important
According to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), steamed placenta should not be ingested while sick.
Raw Start Preparation
Process
The major difference with the Raw Method of Preparation is that it skips the steaming part entirely so raw placenta is dehydrated and not steamed first. This increases the drying/processing time. Those who choose the raw method tend to feel that the ‘essence’ of the placenta is preserved this way and that enzymes are retained since steaming can break down some of them. It is also felt that this is the more ‘potent’ of the two methods.
Note, this is not the same is Raw Prep, in that it is dehydrated at a higher temperature (160 degrees) which keeps the placenta well within food safe parameters.
Benefits
Provides the freshest/higher hormonal/nutrient benefits as the Traditional Method lessens vital enzymes, hormones, and nutrients
Great for immediate shorter term recovery, blood building and returning iron levels
More immediate mood and energy increases
Enhanced maternal and baby bonding
Increased breastmilk production
Assisting the uterus to return to its pre pregnancy state
Helping balance and stabilize hormones after the postnatal hormone drop
Decreased instances of postpartum depression
Faster postpartum recovery
You can continue taking it if you have an infection, cold or fever, unlike the Traditional Method, which is based in TCM principles, and the recommendation is to stop taking them when sick.
Why Choose the Raw Start Method?
Raw method is useful for blood building and returning iron stores, especially in the early days after birth. Mothers who choose this method often report a smoother physical recovery and more energy in the postpartum period due to the higher nutrient, mineral and hormonal content that remains within the placenta. Some also like the increased amount of capsules they receive as the steamed method produces slightly less in comparison.
Women have reported a larger boost of energy after choosing to have their placenta encapsulated using the raw method. Some report this boost is fantastic and some have reported they felt a bit too jittery, as if they have had too much coffee and may need to have the number of capsules consumed per day adjusted.
Yield
This method leads to a higher yield in capsules.
Why the Raw Start Method Might Not Be Right for You
These capsules can be rather potent compared to Traditional Method. If the client has had mild depression, or worse, or any type of chronic or intermittent anxiety, Raw has the potential to exacerbate this. More of the hormonal content remains in the raw placenta capsules compared to steamed placenta capsules. The wet heat of steaming reduces the hormone count of the tissue slightly, along with reducing bacteria count.
Depression and anxiety is sometimes tied to hormonal imbalances in the body, so the hormonal content from raw placenta pills might not work well for some sensitive clients. If your health history includes any kind of depression or anxiety, Raw Method may not be best for you. However, there have not been any studies on this so it could be a purely anecdotal suggestion.