“Giving…placenta to a new mother following birth has become standard protocol among a growing number of midwives in the United States. By nourishing the blood and fluids, endocrine glands and organs, Placenta will …reduce or stop postpartum bleeding, speed up recovery, boost energy and relieve postpartum blues.” Homes, Peter. 1993. Jade Remedies, Snow Lotus Press, 352.
“During the last trimester of pregnancy, the placenta secretes so much CRH that the levels in the bloodstream increase threefold. However, it was also discovered that postpartum women have lower than average levels of CRH, triggering depressive symptoms. They concluded that the placenta secreted so much CRH that the hypothalamus stopped producing it… After childbirth, the hypothalamus doesn’t immediately receive the signal to begin producing CRH again, which can lead to postpartum depression. Eating the placenta will raise a mother’s CRH levels therefore, reducing postpartum depression.
A 1961 study on the Iron Content of Placentas and Cords by Bonnie McCoy, M.S, Roberta Bleiler, Ph.D, and Margaret Ohlson Ph.D states, “Data obtained on the fifty placentas and cords were expressed as milligrams of total iron and milligrams per 100 grams of the wet weight of the sample. The total iron content of the samples averaged 75.5mg and ranged from 34.5 to 170mg, excluding one value, 396.7mg which was 6 standard deviations from the mean. The latter total iron value was also omitted in the calculation of the iron concentrations in placentas plus cords which ranged from 7.1 to 34.8mg with a mean of 13.6mg per 100gm of the wet weight of the sample. The weights of the placentas and cords averaged 560gm but varied from 385 to 880 gm.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 9, September-October 1961
Ingestion of placenta or amniotic fluid produces a dramatic enhancement of centrally mediated opioid antinociception in the rat. The present experiments investigated the role of each opioid receptor type (A, y, n) in the antinociception-modulating effects of Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor (POEF—presumably, the active substance). Antinociception was measured on a 52 jC hotplate in adult, female rats after they ingested placenta or control substance (1.0 g) and after they received an intracerebroventricular injection of a y-specific ([D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE); 0, 30, 50, 62, or 70 nmol), A-specific ([D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly5-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO); 0, 0.21, 0.29, or 0.39 nmol), or n-specific (U-62066; spiradoline; 0, 100, 150, or 200 nmol) opioid receptor agonist. The results showed that ingestion of placenta potentiated y- and n-opioid antinociception, but attenuated A-opioid antinociception. This finding of POEF action as both opioid receptor-specific and complex provides an important basis for understanding the intrinsic pain-suppression mechanisms that are activated during parturition and modified by placentophagia, and important information for the possible use of POEF as an adjunct to opioids in pain management.
D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
“All patients were given desiccated placenta prepared as previously described (C.A. II, 2492) in doses of 10 grains in a capsule 3 times a day. Only those mothers were chosen for the study whose parturition was normal and only the weights of those infants were recorded whose sole source of nourishment was mothers milk. The growth of 177 infants was studied. The rate of growth is increased by the ingestion of placenta by the mother… the maternal ingestion of dried placenta tissue so stimulates the tissues of the infants feeding on the milk produced during this time, that unit weight can add on greater increments of matter, from day to day, than can unit weight of infants feeding on milk from mothers not ingesting this substance.” Hammett, Frederick. S. 1918. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 36. American Society of Biological Chemists, Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, original press: Harvard University
“It has been shown that the feeding of desiccated placenta to women during the first eleven days after parturition causes an increase in the protein and lactose percent of the milk… All the mothers were receiving the same diet, and to the second set 0.6mg of desiccated placenta was fed three times a day throughout the period. Certain definite differences in the progress of growth of the two sets of infants are to be observed. It is evident that the recovery from the postnatal decline in weight is hastened by the consumption of milk produced under the influence of maternally ingested placenta.” McNeile, Lyle G. 1918. The American journal of obstetrics and diseases of women and children, 77. W.A. Townsend & Adams, original press: University of Michigan
“An attempt was made to increase milk secretion in mothers by administration of dried placenta per os. Of 210 controlled cases only 29 (13.8%) gave negative results; 181 women (86.2%) reacted positively to the treatment, 117 (55.7%) with good and 64 (30.5%) with very good results. It could be shown by similar experiments with a beef preparation that the effective substance in placenta is not protein. Nor does the lyophilised placenta act as a biogenic stimulator so that the good results of placenta administration cannot be explained as a form of tissue therapy per os. The question of a hormonal influence remains open. So far it could be shown that progesterone is probably not active in increasing lactation after administration of dried placenta.” Soykova-Pachnerova E, et. al.(1954). Gynaecologia 138(6):617-627
“Powdered Placenta Hominis was used for 57 cases of insufficient lactation. Within 4 days, 48 women had markedly increased milk production, with the remainder following suit over the next three days.” Bensky/Gamble. 1997. Materia Medica, Eastland Press, 549.
“Giving…placenta to a new mother following birth has become standard protocol among a growing number of midwives in the United States. By nourishing the blood and fluids, endocrine glands and organs, Placenta will …reduce or stop postpartum bleeding, speed up recovery, boost energy and relieve postpartum blues.” Homes, Peter. 1993. Jade Remedies, Snow Lotus Press, 352
“Daniel Benyshek, a UNLV medical anthropologist, and Sharon Young, a doctoral student of anthropology, asked 189 women who consumed their placentas after childbirth why they did it, how they preferred to have the placenta prepared, and if they would do it again. The results were published online Feb. 27, 2013 in the journal Ecology, Food and Nutrition. The survey found most women who participated in the practice, called placentophagy, were American, Caucasian, married, middle class, and college-educated and were more likely to give birth at home. Overall, 75% of participants said they had very positive experiences, 20% reported positive experiences and 4% were slightly positive. The most commonly reported negative aspect of placentophagy was the placenta’s appeal — the taste or smell of it was simply kind of icky. But most reported positive placentophagy experiences. “Our survey participants generally reported some type of perceived benefit from the practice, felt that their postpartum experience with placentophagy was a positive one, and overwhelmingly indicated that they would engage in placentophagy again after subsequent pregnancies. In fact, both of the [2] participants who selected negative or very negative to describe their placentophagy experience also indicated that they would engage in placentophagy again.” the authors write. According to the survey, the top three positive effects of placentophagy were improved mood, increased energy and improved lactation.” University of Nevada Las Vegas, February 2013
“A paper by neuroscientists at the University at Buffalo and Buffalo State College suggests that ingestion of components of afterbirth or placenta — placentophagia — may offer benefits to human mothers and perhaps to non-mothers and males. Mark Kristal, PhD, professor of psychology and neuroscience at UB, directs the graduate program in behavioural neuroscience, and has studied placentophagia for more than 40 years. He is recognized as a principal expert in the field. Kristal’s article “Placentophagia in Human and Nonhuman Mammals: Causes and Consequences,” was published in the March 30 issue of the journal Ecology of Food and Nutrition, which was devoted to the subject of placentophagia. Kristal’s co-authors are Jean M. DiPirro, PhD, associate professor, Department of Psychology, Buffalo State College, and Alexis C. Thompson, PhD, research associate professor, UB Department of Psychology and a research scientist in the UB Research Institute on Addictions. They point out that the benefits of placenta ingestion (as well as the ingestion of amniotic fluid) by non-human mammalian mothers are significant. It provokes an increase in mother-infant interaction, for instance, and increases the effects of pregnancy-mediated analgesia in the delivering mother. It also potentiates opioid circuits in the maternal brain that facilitate the onset of caretaking behaviour, and suppresses postpartum pseudopregnancy, thereby increasing the possibilities for fertilization. “Human childbirth is fraught with additional problems for which there are no practical nonhuman animal models,” says Kristal, citing postpartum depression, failure to bond and maternal hostility toward the infant. “Whether or not we learn why humans do not do this, it is important for us to search for the medicinal or behavioural benefits of components of afterbirth for the same reasons that we search for plant-based medicinal substances,” Kristal says.” University of Buffalo Press Release, March 2012
“This cross-sectional study was to assess the nutrients in terms of protein, fat, minerals, and hormones in heat-dried human placenta. Thirty heat-dried human placentas, 15 from male and 15 from female, were analysed for protein (amino acids), fibre, fat, moisture, minerals (sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese), hormones (oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone, growth hormone). Heat-dried female human placentas had slightly higher fibre content than male, but protein and fat components were not different. Mineral levels in placentas were high especially sodium, potassium and phosphorus. There were no significant differences in the amount of minerals and hormonal profile between female and male placentas. However, hormone levels in heat-dried placenta were low compared to physiologic level in human beings. The results of this study suggest that the amount of nutrients particularly protein and minerals in heat-dried human placentas were enriched.” J Med Assoc Thai. 2000 Jun;83(6):690-4.
“The most general benefit of placentophagy, according to recent research, is that placenta and amniotic fluid contain a molecule (POEF, Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor) that modifies the activity of endogenous opioids in such a way that produces and enhancement of the natural reduction in pain that occurs shortly after and during delivery.”
Mark B. Kristal, “Enhancements of Opioid Medicated Analgesia: A solution to the Enigma of Placentophagia”, Neuroscience & Biobehavioural Reviews 15: 425-435
Placenta – Worth Trying? Human Maternal Placentophagy: Possible Benefit and Potential Risks Jena University: Johnson SK, Groten T, Pastuschek J, Rödel J, Markert UR (Sep 2018)
Maternal Placenta Consumption causes no harm to newborns: ScienceDaily May 2018
Human placentophagy: Effects of dehydration and steaming on hormones, metals and bacteria in placental tissue. Jena University: Johnson SK, Groten T, Pastuschek J, Rödel J, Sammer U, Markert UR (May 2018). Elsevier Sciencedirect.
Research shows how placenta umpires fight for nutrients between pregnant mother and foetus: News Medical Life Sciences Sept 2016:
Afterbirth: Eat it, Burn it, Bury it under a Tree: Chapter from ‘Adventures in Human Being’ by Gavin Francis 2015
Presence & Concentration of 17 hormones in human placenta processed for encapsulation and consumption: UNLV: Young, Benyshek, Gryder, Zava & Kimball (April 2016)
Placentophagy Survey (Selander, Cantor, Young and Benyshek 2013): A Survey of Self-Reported Motivations and Experiences Associated with Placenta Consumption By Jodi Selander a , Allison Cantor b , Sharon M. Young c & Daniel C. Benyshek c.
Does eating placenta offer postpartum benefits? The British Journal of Midwives July 2012; Written by Michelle Beacock – Student Midwife, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire and NCT Antenatal Teacher.
Fire Hypothesis (Young, Benyshek and Lienard 2012)
In Search of Placentophagy (Young and Benyshek 2010)
Placentophagies in Humans and nonhuman mammals
By Kristal, DiPirro, Thompson.
PLACENTAL ENCAPSULATION AND POSTPARTUM HEALTH Jodie Salender, May 2012
Pathology of the Human Placenta
By Kurt Benirschke, Peter Kaufmann.
Human placenta as a ‘dual’ biomarker for monitoring fetal and maternal environment with special reference to potentially toxic trace elements.
Part 3: Toxic trace elements in placenta and placenta as a biomarker for these elements G.V. Iyengar A. Rapp.
Selenium, cadmium, lead, and mercury concentrations in human breast milk, in placenta, maternal blood, and the blood of the newborn
P. Schramel, S. Hasse and J. Ovcar-Pavlu.
Stem Cells from Human Placenta can cure Diseases – Video from Oakland Hospital, USA
Stem Cells from Placenta show potential in treating Heart Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and More
BY Neal Ungerleider Tuesday 29th March 2011.
Hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone suppression during the postpartum period: implications for the increase in psychiatric manifestations at this time
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 81, 1912-1917, Copyright © 1996 by Endocrine Society. Study showing low CRH Hormone levels post-birth – CRH (stress reducer hormone – found in high levels in the placenta).
Wound Healing Activity of Human Placental Extract in Rats
Acta Pharmacol Sin, 22nd December 2001 – Finding human placental extract has potent power of inducing collagenous growth indicating its proficiency in wound healing.
The Impact of Fatigue on the Development of Postpartum Depression
Elizabeth J. Corwin, Jean Brownstead, Nichole Barton, Starlet Heckard, and Karen Morin.
Have we forgotten the significance of postpartum iron deficiency?
Lisa M. Bodnar, PhD, MPH, RD,a,* Mary E. Cogswell, DrPH, RN,b Thad McDonald, MDc.
Enhancement of opioid-mediated analgesia: A solution to the enigma of placentophagia
Mark B. Kristal, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA Received 4th January 1991.
Placentophagia: A Biobehavioral Enigma
(or De gustibus non disputandum est) MARK B. KRISTAL Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Amherst, NY 14226 Received 2nd February 1980.
Full-Thickness Skin Wound Healing Using Human Placenta-Derived Extracellular Matrix Containing Bioactive Molecules Ji Suk Choi PhD, Jae Dong Kim MS, Hyun Soo Yoon PhD, Yong Woo Cho PhD NCBI 2012
Placenta in Chinese Herbal Medicine
The Bridge of Life: Options for Placentas
Written by British midwife Kelly Graff; Published by Midwifery Today 2008.
Placentophagy: Midwives Chronicle 1984 by Mary Field RGN SCM
Placenta Recipes – Mums 35 Plus
Medicinal Uses of the Placenta The gentlebirth.org website is provided courtesy of
Ronnie Falcao, LM MS, a homebirth midwife in Mountain View, CA
Placenta: The Gift of Life BOOK
The Amazing Placenta
By Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE, About.com Guide
I’m Going to Eat My Placenta
posted by Kiri Westby 28th June 2010 5:08 pm.
Placenta Humanum (Welsh) written by Kathy Biggs BA(HONS),LWSH,RGN. Linda Gwillim MCH.RSHom, 2000
https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/study-maternal-placenta-consumption-causes-no-harm-newborns
