What is Placenta Encapsulation? Placenta encapsulation is a non-invasive and modern way to consume the placenta following birth.  The placenta is steamed, dehydrated and ground into a powder.  The powder is put into vegetarian capsules and can be by a new mother for healing during the post-partum recovery period.

Where does Placenta Encapsulation come from?  According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the placenta (Zi He Chi) is a full of life force organ and should be consumed to balance a new mother after birth. Koala Therapies uses a technique that has been recommended by midwife Raven Lang since 1983. Raven Lang studied TCM for many years.  Mothers in America and the UK prefer to have their placenta put into capsules, known as placenta encapusulation.

Why should I consume my placenta?  During birth women lose 1/8-1/10 of their blood supply. The mammal placenta was made to be consumed and make up for this loss by giving the new mother essential fats, amino acids, vast amounts of iron
and essential hormones to aid the body in self recovery after birth.            Testimonials reveal a dramatic difference in the recovery of mothers who have placenta smoothies and placenta capsules post-birth compared to those who don't. 

Do all mammals consume their placenta following birth?  Yes, almost all land mammals consume the placenta immediately after the birth of their young, except for marsupials who re-absorb it.  Our closest relative, the chimpanzee has only been observed giving birth a handful of times in the wild.  Each time the new mother was observed to consume her placenta within minutes after it's birth.  Mammals are thought to consume there placenta for a number of reasons.  It's important to notice that animals don't seem to suffer as much as humans during the post-partum fase.  When animals are in a non-captive environment, birth is observed to be effortless and pain-free with a very short and easy post-partum recovery.

Do humans have the same benefits as other mammals when eating the placenta?     I encourage all new mums to enjoy a raw placenta smoothie (get in touch for details) immediately after birth to stop post-partum haemorrhaging and give the body an immediate boost of hormones and iron much needed following birth. Once the placenta has been made into capsules it is thought of as a medicine and will have different benefits than eating the placenta raw. Even through the cooking process iron, hormones, nutrients and rich growth factors are present in the placenta capsules - all of which support a new mother's body through the post-birth recovery period.

Doesn't the cooking process damage the nutrients and hormones present in the placenta?  To some extent, yes.  However the capsules are still very beneficial and .  The capsules give a new mother the chance to benefit from her placenta for months after birth and have incredible benefits to energy levels and breast milk supply.  There is currently no scientific evidence to suggest the placenta capsules are or are not beneficial.  Currently, Koala Therapies and other placenta encapsulation specialists rely on personal experiences and testimonials from new mothers who reveal placenta encapsulation was the key to their speedy recovery following birth.

Many people chose to eat organic meat to avoid added hormones and other artificial growth factors that are injected into livestock by non-organic farmers to produce more meat in a shorter space of time.  If artificial hormones that are injected into livestock are still present in cooked non-organic steaks on the dinner table, then hormones surely survive the cooking process and can have an effect on our body.  

Will placenta capsules help with my breast milk supply? Dried placenta has been proven to increase a breast-feeding mother’s milk supply.  The first and still one of the few ever studies on using placenta as a lactagogon gave incredible results.  181 out of 210 women who were given dried placenta to increase milk supply had positive results and saw an increase in their milk supply.                                        Placenta as a Lactagogon; Gynaecologia 138: 617-627, 1954

What other nutrients are found in the placenta?  Other nutrients include, iron - essential for oxygen absorption in the cells, vitamin B6 - aids in the making of antibodies, oxytocin hormone - essential for facilitating birth and breastfeeding, CRH - stress-reducer hormone, rich growth factors - fibroblasts that trigger cell metabolism, all in unique levels suited specifically for the new mother. 

How many capsules will my placenta make?  A placenta will make between 75-150 capsules depending on the size of the baby and gestation.

How often do I take my capsules?  Capsules can be taken 2-4 times a day during the first 6 weeks.  They should be stored in the refrigerator and then transferred to the freezer after a year to keep for menopause.

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The information provided by Koala Therapies regarding Placenta Encapsulation is based on research, documentation and first hand testemonials from mothers who've used placenta capsules for their post-partum recovery. Koala Therapies is not a medical body and always advises you seek advice from your GP or midwife if you have any problems with your pregnancy, birth or post-partum recovery.