Cultural traditions
The Maori word for placenta, whenua, means 'land'. Maori tradition sees the placenta buried under a tree. For nine months the placenta provided all essential nutrients & life giving energy to the baby, so is buried under a tree to mark the start of a new life. As the child grows, so does the tree. A tree of life.
In other cultures the placenta is burnt, returning its nutrients to the earth.
Relieve postpartum depression
The nutritional health benefits are said to be its natural protection against postpartum depression. Placenta has very high levels of some vitamins, specifically B6, said to help alleviate postpartum depression.
Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), normally secreted by the hypothalamus, is known to reduce stress. In the third trimester the placenta releases high levels of CRH, also entering the mother's bloodstream. After birth, the mother has much lower levels than average - which coupled with many other emotional issues can trigger depression. Due to the surge in CRH the hypothalamus shuts down & takes a while to kick back in after birthing.
>> ILR pregnancy
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Related articles
>>Placentophagy Provides Natural Protection against Postpartum Depression - Natural News 21.04.09
>>Placentophagia: Benefits of Eating the Placenta Associated content 28.06.07
>>Ingesting the placenta: Is it healthy for new moms? USA today 19.07.07
>>Why eat placenta? BBC news 18.04.06
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Services
>>Placentabenefits.info - encapsulation services
