
I'd like to change that.
First, an explanation.
A tincture is simply an extract of plant or animal matter - in this case, it would be from your placenta. It is usually alcohol-based (I use single ingredient potato vodka in order to serve those that avoid gluten), which means that it lasts and lasts and last and... you get the idea.
The placenta is added to the vodka and agitated frequently over a period of time. In the case of my Mother Tincture (or Placenta Tincture), it is ready to use after six weeks.
As a placenta product that's ingested, the Mother Tincture works much like the pills do. It's thought to regulate and balance out hormones, which in turn can affect our emotional state.
So why would someone want pills and a Mother Tincture?
Since the tincture takes about six weeks to become useful, having the pills in the immediate postpartum period is definitely going to yield the most benefit in the short-term. Most encapsulators work to get the pills into the hands of their clients by two or three days postpartum. (Day four is typically when new moms experience the greatest hormonal shift after birth.) Assuming there are not timing obstacles, I get pills back to my clients before they even leave the hospital. The tincture, on the other hand, is a great option for accessing long-term benefits. Not only does its shelf-life extend an exceptionally long time, but the dosage - typically 1-3 drops at a time - means that the quantity lasts and lasts as well. I provide my clients with four ounces of tincture, along with a smaller bottle and dropper to keep handy.
Now, here's the thing that I LOVE about the tincture (and, I'm so glad that when I found out about tincture, I still had some of my last batch of placenta pills to make my own). Mother Tincture is a great remedy to have in your cabinet for those times in the months and years to come when you or your child experience hormonal and emotional shifts.
Some uses for you:
Return of your first cycle after birth
General PMS
Emotional Times: leaving child at daycare, life changes, etc.
Menopause
Some uses for your child:
Your daughter's first cycle
First day of school
Puberty
Other times of emotional or hormonal challenge
While I am not qualified to make medical claims (and the suggestions for tincture use should not be taken as such) more and more research is being done on the benefits found within the placenta. I'm excited to see what is discovered regarding the benefits of the placenta in the coming years.
So, how about a nice placenta tincture to round out your next postpartum experience?