Customized Placenta Encapsulation Services
We Love Acupuncture is pleased to offer Customized Placenta Encapsulation Services following preparation methods rooted in the wisdom of centuries of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
We honor each placenta as the sacred link between mother and baby. It’s more than just an organ—it’s a part of the beautiful journey of life.
Your placenta gave endlessly to your baby, and now it’s ready to nurture you in return.
What is Placenta Encapsulation?
Placenta Encapsulation, sometimes known as Placentophagy (literally “placenta eating”), is a simple process that transforms your baby’s placenta into capsules. We steam, dry, and powder the placenta, so you can take it in an easy, convenient way to support your postpartum recovery.
Benefits of Placenta Encapsulation
Did you know that humans are the only mammals on Earth who do not instinctively consume their placenta immediately after birth?
Many new moms turn to placenta encapsulation for a faster recovery, to ward off postpartum depression, and to support smooth nursing and milk production. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the placenta is a powerhouse used for all kinds of healing, beyond just the postpartum phase.
Our Unique Approach of Placenta “Customization”
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), individual medicinal substances such as herbs, minerals, or placenta are rarely used in isolation. Instead, they are carefully combined to work synergistically, tailoring their effects to support the specific needs of each individual.
When we say “Customized,” we’re talking about a unique blend made just for you! Using powerful herbs from Traditional Chinese Medicine, we create a mix that matches your personal recovery journey. We take into account how your pregnancy and birth experience unfolded and choose herbs that will best support your healing and well-being.
With more than 25 years of experience creating healing herbal blends, we’re excited to customize a placenta encapsulation that’s tailored just for you and your postpartum journey.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Placenta Use
The use of Human Placenta, or Zi He Che as it is known in Traditional Chinese Medicine, dates to 720 CE when it was first written about for its medicinal properties in the Tang Dynasty medical text, Omissions from the (Classics of the) Materia Medica.
Traditional Chinese Medicine views Zi He Che as a powerful nurturing and tonifying medicinal substance.
“[Zi He Che]Receives the natural endowment of the residual fluids of essence and blood that formed the pregnancy; it incorporates a great amount of the mother’s qi (life energy) and blood. It thus strongly tonifies,”
~Dan Bensky ~ Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 3rd Edition.
“According to modern research, Zi He Che promotes development of the mammary glands, female genitals, and ovaries. It also enhances the immune system and strengthens resistance. Zi He Che is effective in the treatment of incomplete development of the uterus, uterine atrophy, functional amenorrhea, myometritis, uterine bleeding, scant breast milk, postpartum anterior pituitary hypofunction (Sheehan’s syndrome), anemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, and bronchitis.”
~Jiao Shu-De ~ Ten Lectures on the Use of Medicinals from the Personal Experience of Jiao Shu-De
What is Included in the Encapsulation Service?
The Customized Placenta Encapsulation
Formulated to your specific postpartum needs
Placenta Print
A gorgeous keepsake imprinted on high-quality scrapbooking paper
Umbilical Cord Keepsake
Baby’s umbilical cord is dried into a magical spiral keepsake
Delivery
This is no cost delivery within San Diego city limits. We will add a reasonable fee for fuel and drive-time for areas beyond city limits, or you can arrange for pick-up.
Dosage Instructions & Support
We will determine dosage based on your specific postpartum needs and modify if necessary.
Placenta Tincture
Available upon request only. Please note that tinctures require 30-60 days to reach proper potency.
Custom Placenta Encapsulation
Specific to your Postpartum Needs
Placenta Print Keepsake
Imprinted on High-Quality Scrapbook Paper
Umbilical Cord Keepsake
Dried in a Spiral Form
Cost of Encapsulation Service:
$350
Due upon delivery of the completed encapsulation.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Cash, Venmo, & Zelle
*NOTE: We Cannot Accept Credit Cards for Encapsulation Services
Or Scroll Down For Questions
FAQs
How many capsules will I get?
We can’t give you an exact count but a typical number of capsules is between 125-175.
Large babies have larger placentas, and large placentas make more capsules. Small babies have smaller placentas, and small placentas make fewer capsules.
How long will it take to encapsulate my placenta?
It will take a minimum of 3 days, but the average length of time is 5 days. When we are working on multiple placenta encapsulations, we always work on placentas in the order they are received.
Why does it take you longer to encapsulate than others offering placenta encapsulation?
We follow a very old and time-tested method of purifying and preparing the placenta. This method comes from centuries of practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine and requires a minimum of three days of preparation.
There are many encapsulators out there who advertise that they offer “TCM Method” as an option for preparing your placenta. This generally means that they will add an herb or herbs classically used in Traditional Chinese Medicine with the most common being the herb, Dong Qui.
Simply using an herb from Chinese Medicine is not what I would classify as “TCM Method” Within Traditional Chinese Medicine, preparation is EQUALLY IMPORTANT, and doing it right takes time. If an encapsulator tells you they can get your placenta encapsulated in less than 3 days, they do not prepare the placenta with Traditional Chinese Medicine methods.
I am already working with a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner. Can I have them choose the synergistic herbs since they know me best?
Absolutely! We work regularly with several acupuncturists throughout San Diego County and would be happy to work with yours too.
We ask that they provide the physical herbs that they feel would create the greatest synergy for your encapsulation.
Will you prepare my placenta using the Raw Method (drying from raw instead of from steamed)?
NO. We follow the traditions of TCM and do as they have done for centuries by steaming the placenta.
A few years ago, the mainstream media jumped on the story of a mother whose placenta encapsulation was found to be reinfecting her with a Group-B Strep (GBS) infection which she was passing to her newborn through breastfeeding. That encapsulation was done using the Raw Method. If the encapsulator had steamed the placenta first, they could have most likely eradicated the GBS.
I have trouble swallowing capsules. Are there other options for someone like me?
Yes. Tinctures are an option, but keep in mind that they require 30-60 days to reach full potency, which is not ideal for immediate postpartum recovery.
Alternatively, and perhaps more conveniently, is to combine the placenta with honey (ideally organic, raw, & local). We can provide you with the ground placenta which you can mix with your honey. This form is usable immediately, palatable, and capsule free. Honey is an excellent natural preservative and is very protective of the placenta. We have used this method with several postpartum mothers with great success.