When you book your placenta encapsulation with Placenta Essex, one of the first decisions you’ll make is choosing your capsule type. It’s a question we get asked a lot: what’s the difference between Simple and Steamed capsules, and how do you know which one is right for you?
The honest answer is that both are wonderful — and the right choice really does come down to what you’re hoping to get from your postnatal recovery. In this post we’ll walk you through exactly how each method works, what mothers most commonly report from each, and the option that gives you the best of both worlds.
First, a Quick Word on How Placenta Capsules Are Made
Whichever capsule type you choose, the fundamental process is the same: your placenta is collected from your birth location, brought to our dedicated preparation facility, dehydrated, ground into a fine powder, and encapsulated.
What differs between Simple and Steamed is what happens before dehydration — and that one step makes a meaningful difference to the reported effects.
Only one placenta is processed at a time in our facility. Your placenta never comes into contact with another, and every surface and tool is fully sterilised between uses. We are registered with environmental health and insured by BGI.uk — so you can be completely confident in the standards behind whichever option you choose.
Simple Capsules — Our Most Popular Choice
How They’re Made
Simple capsules go through the most direct preparation method. Once your placenta is collected and cleaned, it goes straight into the dehydrator at a regulated temperature before being ground and encapsulated. No steaming. No added ingredients. Just your placenta, prepared as naturally and efficiently as possible.
What Mothers Report
Simple capsules are consistently our most popular option, and for good reason. The most commonly reported effect is a noticeable boost in energy — the kind that makes a real difference when you’re waking up several times a night with a newborn.
Many mothers describe the feeling as a clean, sustained lift in vitality. Not jittery or overwhelming — just a steady sense of energy and clarity that helps them feel more like themselves in those early weeks.
In fact, one of our own team members, Sam, chose Simple capsules after her second birth and found herself having to reduce her dosage because she felt so energised. That’s a problem we’re very happy to help with!
Simple Capsules May Be Right for You If:
- You want a noticeable energy boost in the postnatal period
- You’re planning to breastfeed and want support with milk supply
- You experienced significant tiredness or fatigue after a previous birth
- You’d prefer the most direct, minimal-process preparation method
- You’re unsure and want to go with the most tried-and-tested option
Steamed Capsules — The Calming Choice
How They’re Made
Steamed capsules involve one additional step before dehydration: your placenta is gently steamed with a combination of lemon, chilli, and ginger. This is a Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired preparation method, rooted in the belief that warming and activating the placenta in this way supports a more balanced, grounded postnatal recovery.
After steaming, the placenta is dehydrated, ground, and encapsulated in the same way as Simple capsules.
What Mothers Report
Mothers who choose Steamed capsules most commonly report a calmer, more settled feeling during their postnatal period. Rather than the energy-forward experience of Simple capsules, Steamed capsules are associated with emotional stability, a reduction in anxiety, and a gentle sense of groundedness.
For mothers who are prone to feeling overwhelmed, who experienced anxiety after a previous birth, or who simply want their postnatal recovery to feel as calm and steady as possible, Steamed capsules are often the preferred choice.
The added lemon, chilli, and ginger also carry their own natural properties — warming, digestive, and anti-inflammatory — which many mothers find supportive in the early postpartum period.
Steamed Capsules May Be Right for You If:
- You want emotional balance and calm more than an energy boost
- You’ve experienced anxiety or low mood after a previous birth
- You’re drawn to a more traditional, holistic preparation method
- You want the warming, settling benefits of ginger and lemon
- You’d like a gentler, steadier postnatal experience
Can’t Decide? The 50/50 Option Gives You Both
We completely understand if you’re reading this and thinking — “I want the energy AND the calm.” That’s exactly why we offer the 50/50 option.
With 50/50 capsules, your placenta is split during preparation: half is processed as Simple capsules and half as Steamed capsules. You receive both sets and can choose which to take depending on how you’re feeling each day.
Feeling exhausted and need to get through the day? Take a Simple capsule.
Feeling anxious or overwhelmed? Reach for a Steamed one.
It gives you complete flexibility throughout your fourth trimester, tailored to what your body and mind need most on any given day. The 50/50 option is available as an add-on for an additional £50.
A Quick Comparison
Simple Capsules
- Preparation: Dehydrated directly — no steaming
- Primary reported effect: Energy boost
- Most popular with: Mothers wanting vitality and milk support
- Price: Included in all capsule packages
Steamed Capsules
- Preparation: Steamed with lemon, chilli & ginger before dehydrating
- Primary reported effect: Calm, emotional balance
- Most popular with: Mothers prone to anxiety or low mood
- Price: Included in all capsule packages
50/50 Capsules
- Preparation: Half Simple, half Steamed
- Primary reported effect: Flexible — use based on how you feel
- Most popular with: Mothers who want both options available
- Price: +£50 add-on
What About the Tincture — Is That Different Again?
If you want something that lasts well beyond the initial postnatal period, the Tincture is worth considering as an add-on to any package. A tincture is a liquid version of your placenta capsules — preserved in alcohol — that takes 6–8 weeks to prepare.
Unlike capsules, a tincture has no shelf life. It can be kept for years and used whenever you need it — including through the hormonal shifts of weaning, your next pregnancy, or even menopause. You can also add a Tincture to water or squash daily, making it easy to incorporate into a long-term wellness routine.
The Tincture is available as an add-on for +£80, and can even be prepared at a later date using 10 of your existing capsules if you decide you want one after the fact.
Still Not Sure? Just Ask Us
There’s no wrong answer here — both Simple and Steamed capsules are prepared with the same care, the same hygiene standards, and the same dedication to your wellbeing. The difference is really about what you most want from your recovery, and we’re always happy to help you decide.
If you have any questions about capsule types, packages, or anything else, just get in touch. Sam and Becky are always happy to chat — whether you’re 12 weeks pregnant and just starting to research, or 38 weeks and ready to book today.
- Browse our Capsules to see full pricing and add-on options.
- Or get in touch directly — no pressure, just honest advice.
Placenta Essex — The only placenta remedies specialist registered with environmental health in Essex.
BGI.uk insured. Covering all Mainland UK hospital and home births.
