🌿 Folk Prescriptions

At age 36, Mr. Zhang underwent surgery for duodenal bulb ulcer five years ago. Since then, he has appeared chronically weak, and his marital performance has been unsatisfactory. His wife, Ms. Wang, a gentle and considerate woman, never complained but instead cared for him deeply. Two years ago, she heard that placenta is a top-tier tonic and began monthly obtaining two placentas through contacts, preparing various dishes for her husband in hopes of restoring his strength. However, contrary to expectations, after over two years of such tonification, her husband’s health showed no improvement—his marital performance worsened, and gradually, his entire physiology became increasingly feminine, losing masculine vigor.
Placenta, also known as the "afterbirth," is called "Zi He Che" in TCM, believed to have warming tonifying effects, capable of nourishing blood, boosting qi, and enriching spirit. There is also a folk belief that placenta enhances immunity. Hence, many physically weak individuals seek ways to obtain placenta for tonification. However, modern medical research confirms placenta is far from the "perfect" substance people imagine.
Indeed, placenta is rich in protein and contains immunoglobulins like albumin and globulin, which protect the fetus from external bacteria and viruses. But the proteins in placenta are no different from those in meat, and the immunological substances lose their activity during placental detachment and processing, rendering them ineffective in boosting immunity. If placenta is not sufficiently processed or cooked, viruses such as hepatitis B and HIV transmitted from mother to child may infect the preparer and consumer, leading to disease.
Modern medical research confirms placenta has active hormone and enzyme synthesis functions. The hormones it produces mainly include chorionic gonadotropin, placental lactogen, estrogen, and progesterone. Long-term consumption leads to hormonal accumulation in the body, causing girls to experience precocious puberty and boys to develop feminization. Precocious puberty in girls manifests as early menstruation, increased subcutaneous fat, and accelerated height development, ultimately limiting final height. Feminization in males includes decreased sexual function, smoother skin, reduced facial and body hair, and even breast development and galactorrhea.
Therefore, one must have a scientific understanding of placenta and refrain from long-term consumption under the mistaken belief that it is a supreme tonic.