The role of the placenta and umbilical cord

The placenta and umbilical cord are both important components of the embryo during its development. If there are problems with the embryo and the umbilical cord, it will definitely have a great impact on the development of the fetus. The placenta is the normal communication between the fetus and the mother, such as blood, and the umbilical cord is the way for the mother to deliver nutrients to the fetus.

Can the placenta and umbilical cord be eaten?

The placenta is commonly known as human placenta, choriocarpa or afterbirth, and is called placenta in traditional Chinese medicine. It tastes sweet and salty, is warm in nature, and enters the lung, liver, and kidney meridians. It is a product of blood, flesh, and feeling, and has the effects of warming the kidney, benefiting the essence, replenishing qi, and nourishing blood.

Modern medicine has discovered through research on the placenta that it is rich in immunoglobulins, and people regard it as a nutritious tonic. After this immunoglobulin enters the human digestive tract, it cannot be directly absorbed and utilized. It will be gradually broken down by the digestive juices and finally converted into amino acids, completely losing its original anti-disease immune effect. Breast milk also contains immunoglobulins. Because the stomachs of newborns and infants are not fully developed and the amount of gastric acid secreted is low, the immunoglobulins in breast milk can be protected from destruction by gastric acid and can exert their effects.

Some placentas are caused by maternal illness, and there may be a large number of pathogenic factors in the placenta, especially in mothers with blood-borne infectious diseases, the placenta will contain corresponding pathogens. This type of placenta can cause foodborne illness when consumed. Except for caesarean section, the placenta must be delivered through the birth canal. Once the placenta passes through the birth canal, it may be contaminated by a variety of bacteria and is also a source of disease. There are different degrees of potential danger after consumption.

Although the placenta is a top-grade medicine for treating exhaustion and strain, it should not be consumed without authorization. You should go to the hospital for examination, diagnosis, and then symptomatic treatment. If you need to take the placenta, you must choose carefully. The placenta from a sick woman, moldy placenta, or unclean placenta should not be eaten. The placenta is warm in nature, and warmth helps yang, so patients with yin deficiency should not eat it alone, otherwise it will burn the yin fluid and aggravate the condition. Patients with excess heat should not eat it, as it will "add fuel to the fire" and the pathogenic factors will remain in the body, so be careful.

How to eat the placenta

The placenta is an organ that exchanges substances between the mother and the fetus. It is a combination of embryonic and maternal tissues and is the source of life for the baby. It attaches to the uterus and receives nutrients and oxygen for the baby inside. If it becomes abnormal or aged, it will directly affect the baby's growth and development, and even endanger the baby's life.

1. Stew the placenta. It is said that the nutritional value of this kind of stew is very high, but it is a challenge to the psychological quality of the eater. Wash and cut the placenta into pieces, add red dates, rock sugar, lotus rice, etc. to stew the soup and eat it after it is cooked. You can also add meat, chicken, duck, etc. to stew together.

2. Make it into meat filling. The most common way to eat it is to mince the placenta and pork together to make minced meat, dumpling fillings, etc. Eating it this way can reduce the psychological burden of the eater and will not feel difficult to swallow.

3. Grind into powder and make capsules. Wash the placenta, dry it, grind it into powder, put it into capsules and swallow it. However, there is currently no pharmaceutical factory in my country that manufactures placenta capsules. Most of the placenta capsules on the market are made in home workshops, and hygiene for consumption cannot be guaranteed. It is recommended that consumers carefully consider this way of eating.