These instructions are similar to Lynsey's... can't remember where I got them, probably either gentlebirth.org or here at MDC.
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I have processed many placentas into medicine. It is time consuming, but fairly simple. Please follow health precautions in order to avoid contamination of the placenta. It is best to prepare it promptly after birth or freeze it. I have a steamer, pot, cookie tray and coffee grinder just for preparing placentas. These may be cleaned and used for other things, but I would use an unused coffee grinder. After the placenta has been checked for completeness cut off the membranes along the edge, as well as the cord. These may be buried, or the cord dried. The cord will dry flat, not round and pretty as it does when it dries attached to the baby (lotus birth.) Then steam the rest of the placenta until well done: grey, not pink all through. Put herbs in the steam water such as orange peel, ginger, myrhh. Remove and slice thinly as this allows for proper drying. Place the strips on a cookie sheet and put in oven at 200 degrees. I suppose it could be done in a dehydrator with a fan but I cannot personally vouch for it. Set a timer or check periodically. Leave the oven door open a crack during the drying. The pieces are done when they are ever so slightly flexible, but hard. It's probably better to dry them to brittle (which immediately follows,) than to undercook (rubbery.) Do not overcook: dark black charcoal crisps, it can happen to a tired family! Drying usually takes four to eight hours, be attentive. This is not a job for mom, which is why I offer. Mom needs rest and dried placenta for strength. I can testify to the amazing rejuvenative powers. Usually a surge of well-being is experienced in an hour or two after taking the capsules, which brings me to my last point. Break the dried strips into smaller pieces and feed to the grinder a few at a time. Grind until it is mostly powder. There are often hard chunks which will not break down, just give them a few pulses to make sure. Capsule the entire grinder full and store in a cool dry area. You can use the strips as you go by storing them in a paper bag or jar without a lid, covered by cloth to keep dust out. Alternatively, you can grind and cap all at once, in which case a capsule filler is handy. I took 2 caps twice daily with food.
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