Honoring Your Placenta & Placenta Encapsulation

Consuming one’s placenta is an ancient Chinese tradition that is quickly gaining popularity here in the United States. In many cultures and traditions, the placenta serves as a symbol of spirit energy and life. Along with its symbolism it has been said to have many positive effects in the postpartum period. The placenta is believed to contain components that are beneficial to the human body and rich in nutrients that the mother may need to recover after childbirth. This has been around for thousands of years and is still a thriving part of Traditional Chinese Medicine today. So much that placenta “medicine” is now used in the modern pharmaceutical industry as well as the beauty industry. Depending on your preferences or the circumstances of your health and birth, one option may be better suited for you.

Learn more about placenta encapsulation & its role in postpartum support below.

How your placenta can help you!

CRH (Corticotropin Releasing Hormone): help to reduce stress levels

Gammaglobulin: boosts the immune system to help protect you against postpartum infection

Hemoglobin: help to replenish iron thus preventing or helping with anemia

Oxytocin: the LOVE hormone (aids with bonding, pain relief and happiness), helps uterus return to its pre-pregnancy state and helps to facilitate the “let down” reflex (the flow of milk)

Prolactin: promotes lactation (aids with milk production) and helps with healthy mammary function

Prostaglandins: reduce inflammation

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): help with an overall more thorough & quicker recovery and boosts energy

Vitamins B6: helps the body to make antibodies & hemoglobin and helps one to cope with stress

Vitamin E: aids in the healing of damaged skin and helps to reduce the pain from uterine cramps.

Personalized Placental Preparations

Raw Placenta Encapsulation

Traditional Placenta Encapsulation

Raw Placenta Encapsulation

The Raw Method - $250

How it is done.

The Raw Method bypasses the steaming and the warming herbs. In this preparation the placenta is cleaned, sliced and dehydrated raw. During the first hour of the dehydration process the placenta is kept at a higher temperature to discourage the growth of bacteria and is then lowered to a temperature below 115 degrees Fahrenheit for the duration of the dehydration process.

Beliefs behind this preparation.

The belief behind the Raw Method is based off of the raw foods movement. High heat is avoided during this process because it is believed that anything above 115 degrees has the potential to impact or even destroy the vital nutrients, vitamins and the enzymes within the placenta. The raw method is believed to maintain the life force and effectiveness of the preparation. This method is also said to yield a product higher in hormones and nutrients in comparison to the traditional Chinese method.

Placenta Tincture

Traditional Placenta Encapsulation

Raw Placenta Encapsulation

Placenta Tincture $80

How it is done.

A tincture is made from a piece of the mother’s raw placenta. It is steeped in alcohol making a very strong remedy over a 6 week period.

Beliefs behind a Placenta Tincture

A Placenta Tincture is to be used by the mother during times of illness or stress once the capsules have been consumes. Women have reported the tincture aiding them in times of PMS, depression and menopause. This tincture may also be diluted and given to children in the time of illness.

Traditional Placenta Encapsulation

Traditional Chinese Method - $280

How it is done.

This is the most traditional form of placenta preparation. In this method the placenta is cleaned and steamed with warming herbs such as lemongrass, ginger or spicy peppers. After being steamed, it is then sliced and dehydrated at a low temperature (105-115 degrees Fahrenheit) for 8-10 hours. After the dehydration process the placenta is then ground up into a find powder and placed inside capsules of your liking. You do have the choice between Gelatin and Vegetarian capsules. There is a wide range in the number of capsules a placenta can produce. Depending on the size, a placenta can produce anywhere from 80-200 capsules.

Beliefs behind this preparation.

The belief behind the steam and warming herbs is such that birth itself is a very cooling process. Cold energy (YIN) and warming energy (YANG) are staples within Traditional Chinese Medicine. Birth is considered to be a cooling event. With an empty womb and the blood (Qi ) that may be lost during labor and delivery, it is believed that the mother’s body and essence will be cool. Adding a heating element (YANG) such as the steam and herbs is said to restore energy, nourish the blood and creates a homeostatic environment.