Placenta for Healing
"The placenta is our second mother. It is Mother Nature nurturing us with her perfection."—Robyn Lim
Many people around the world know the secret power of the placenta as a medicinal supplement. Among the Chinese and Vietnamese, it is a customary practice to prepare the placenta for consumption by the birthing person.
Within Chinese medicine, it is thought that the postpartum woman is left with a lot of yin, or cold energy after birth. Steaming the placenta with warming Chinese herbs helps counteract and heal the yin, and yang balances.
If the idea of eating placenta is revolting you, ask yourself: Why?
A mother's placenta is perfectly formulated to give her optimal benefits. No other animal meat will come close to helping her as much as her own placenta. The placenta is so rich in nutrients that it is believed to prevent postpartum depression when ingested. It contains iron and all the minerals that a high-quality meat can offer. Women who have ingested placenta during postpartum—either raw to help control/stop hemorrhaging, or cooked as a postpartum meal—report feeling brighter and more alert.
Placenta is the only meat we can get by giving life instead of the violence of killing.
There are many ways to prepare the placenta for ingestion. Some people feel comfortable putting the placenta in a smoothie or creating a special recipe for it. Some people even consume it raw. These methods will work, but they limit to a matter of days the length of time you are able to utilize the benefits of placenta.
The recommended method of ingestion is by capsule, where the placenta is dried, grounded, and encapsulated. These capsules can be taken daily for several weeks.
Placentas are rare and powerful. Make the best use of yours. Encapsulation is by far the optimum choice for its ingestion and preservation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many capsules will my placenta make?
Each placenta is different in size and substance so the number of capsules it makes can vary from 90 to 150.
How long will my capsules last?
The recommendation is to use placenta capsules within 12 weeks. Keep the capsules in a closed jar and storage them in a cool, dry, dark cupboard. Do not refrigerate.
Store any remaining capsules in the freezer for long-term use. Placenta capsules will last at least up to a year if stored properly.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of ingesting placenta capsules are:
• Increased milk supply
• Increased postnatal iron levels
• Decreased fatigue and increased energy after birth
• Decreased chance of postpartum depression
• Balance hormone levels
• Decreased postpartum healing time
• Quicker contraction of the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size
• Pain relief
Can I encapsulate if I'm induced, have a caesarean section, or a medicated birth?
Encapsulation is still possible if you give birth with an epidural or if you have a caesarean section. The placenta acts as a filter for toxins sending them back to the mother's liver to be detoxed from the system.
Are there any situations that would make it unsafe for me to consume my placenta?
There are a few situations where I would not be able to process your placenta. These are:
• If the placenta is sent to pathology
• If the placenta is improperly stored
• If the mother smoked during pregnancy
Montserrat Muñoz
Doula + Khalsa Way Prenatal Yoga
Saasil Birth
