While it is important to note that there have not been extensive scientific studies conducted on placentophagy in humans, there are some studies widely used to show the correlation between placenta consumption following childbirth and the healing effects of consumption. Though correlation does not equal causation, this custom has been used in many cultures for thousands of years and many personal accounts of the benefits are found within the natural health community, and throughout Traditional Chinese Medicinal texts. Just as any other unregulated herbal remedy, this is not an exact science. Although, it is difficult to argue with the numerous women who swear by their positive outcomes. I urge each woman to do their independent research on the subject and ask for personal accounts from women in your community who have benefited from this ancient custom.
Scientific studies on placentophagy
2013 UNLV Researchers Author First-Ever Scholarly Report on Experiences of Placenta-Eating Moms
"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 the 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 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%) very good results. It could be shown by similar experiments with a beef preparation that the effective substance in placenta is not protein...The question of a hormonal influence remains open." - Placenta as Lactagagon: Soykova-Pachnerova E, et.al. (1954). Gynaecologia 138(6): 617-627
After feeding placenta to rats in a controlled study - "We conclude that the rat placenta contains orally-active substances which modify blood levels of pituitary and ovarian hormones." - Effects of placentophagy on serum prolactin and progesterone concentrations in rats after parturition or superovulation. Blank MS, Friesen HG: J Reprod Fertil. 1980 Nov; 60(2):273-8
"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 3 days." - Bensky/Gamble, 1997. Materia Medica, Eastland Press, 549
Placenta for pain relief: Placenta ingestion by rats enhances y- & n-opioid antinociception, but suppresses A-opioid antinociceptio Jean M. DiPirro*, Mark B Kristal study showing placentophagy aids in pain reduction following birth.
"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 the 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 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%) very good results. It could be shown by similar experiments with a beef preparation that the effective substance in placenta is not protein...The question of a hormonal influence remains open." - Placenta as Lactagagon: Soykova-Pachnerova E, et.al. (1954). Gynaecologia 138(6): 617-627
After feeding placenta to rats in a controlled study - "We conclude that the rat placenta contains orally-active substances which modify blood levels of pituitary and ovarian hormones." - Effects of placentophagy on serum prolactin and progesterone concentrations in rats after parturition or superovulation. Blank MS, Friesen HG: J Reprod Fertil. 1980 Nov; 60(2):273-8
"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 3 days." - Bensky/Gamble, 1997. Materia Medica, Eastland Press, 549
Placenta for pain relief: Placenta ingestion by rats enhances y- & n-opioid antinociception, but suppresses A-opioid antinociceptio Jean M. DiPirro*, Mark B Kristal study showing placentophagy aids in pain reduction following birth.
