2 Easy Tips to Reduce Your PMS?

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PMS & period cramps made worse with plastic & bisphenol AWant to reduce those monthly period cramps naturally? Here’s why you need to stay away from Bisphenol A.

Bisphenol A is a toxic, endocrine disrupting chemical in our food supply.  Recently an  environmental health group with more than 525,000 members,  decided to sue, yes sue, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over it's stance on Bisphenol A. 

It is not easy or inexpensive to sue the Federal Government so you must have resources and a good cause.    Well, this group has both, and since the FDA did not respond to their initials petition on Bisphenol A,  this citizen group filed a lawsuit asking that  Bisphenol A  be banned from products such as plastic bottles and food can liners.

What is Bisphenol A?   A chemical used for the lining of canned goods and used in the production of plastic water bottles.  Those same plastic water bottles that kids use and that are crowding our land fills/dumps by the millions.   Animal and human studies have linked this chemical to serious health problems including an increased risk for diabetes, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

When we drink water from plastic bottles or eat canned food this endocrine disrupting chemical leaches into our food and water.  What is an endocrine disruptor?  They are artificial  chemicals  that can mimic or block the effects of natural hormones from certain receptor cites.  For example thyroid hormone which regulates our metabolism may be effected because a receptor cite is blocked.  This is like an underground garage  that blocks your cell phone signal.  No matter how many times you dial, the signal is blocked.  This may cause weight gain, or just a sluggish, low energy feeling.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals can give someone with mild PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) a really bad case of PMS.  

The reason is this, a woman's menstrual cycle requires a delicate balance of hormones to be turned on and turned off during a monthly cycle.   Chemicals like Bisphenol A can interrupt these on/off switches fairly easily causing a woman to have irregular periods, heavy bleeding, missed periods and very painful period cramps.  There is no doubt among the medical community that endocrine disrupting hormones are very hazardous to our health.

If you have difficult menstrual cycles, try limiting your exposure to Bisphenol A.  Stop drinking from all plastic water bottles and do not eat canned foods.  To regulate your menstrual cycle and reduce period cramps, bloating and PMS moodiness take PMS Relief Herb Pac for 3-4 days each month.  Enjoy it as any herbal tea.  

One final note, earlier this year, the FDA said that it officially agreed there might be health concerns over exposure to BPA  and announced a $30 million BPA research program.  Change doesn't come quickly at the FDA so in meantime make the change in your own life, for your own good health.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/725535?sssdmh=dm1.628250&src=nldne&uac=139834FJ

Good News, HRT and Breast Cancer Decrease, But Hot Flashes Increase

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herbs for hot flashes and menopauseA dramatic decrease in use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during the past two years has also coincided with lower breast cancer incidence  according to a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.  HRT was the recommended treatment for decades for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog and vaginal dryness to name a few. 

However, since 2002 when the Womens Health Initiative clinical trial announced an increase risk in breast cancer, stroke and heart attacks due to HRT,  doctors have limited their prescription writing of HRT.  It is fantastic to see a study showing breast cancer diagnosis dropping in the past two years, but many women have such debilitating menopause symptoms they still need something to help them cope.  It's unfortunate more women do not understand the benefits of herbal remedies for menopause, which can provide the comfort they desperatly seek. 

If you don't sleep well, soak through pajamas at night, hot flash during the day and often feel dazed and confused you could add a few Chinese herbs to your diet, by way of a tea.  You will have a decline of symptoms within a few weeks, within one month you will feel significant,  real relief.  But many women want a quick acting pill and that is not how herbal medicine works.  Our bodies  normally slowly enter the peri-menopause stage and then the complete end to menstruation.  Coping with the symptoms that arise from hormonal changes is not easy and it can take a little time to readjust the thermostat of the body.  Our herbal remedy for menopause does work. Our herbs have been written about and used continuously for over 2000 years.  More information about our Menopause Relief Herb Pac coming soon.

As always, thanks for reading our blog.

Study information can be found at:  J Natl Cancer Inst. Published online September 23, 2010.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/729378?sssdmh=dm1.639367&src=nldne&uac=139834FJ

Jujube, What Makes It Such a Great Sleep Aid?

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What is this funny little fruit, known as jujube, and why is it known for promoting a deeper, more restful sleep?  In Chinese herbal medicine it is the seed of the fruit or spiny zizyphus.  Laboratory studies of zizyphus extract have confirmed the sedative effects.  In fact,  the latest research from France concluded the seeds of the fruit are rich in fatty acids and a host of other beneficial compounds which can benefit those who are looking for a natural sleep aid.

Jujube seeds are about the same size as a typical apple seed.  The seeds have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in other ancient cultures for  hundreds of years.  The seeds are most commonly used for their sedative effects especially common as a sleep aid.    Yet, unlike so many other sedative plants or man made drugs, zizphus is extremely safe.     Drinking zizphus tea has been reported to have no toxicity even in huge doses such as 50 grams per kilogram of body weight, even for 30 consecutive days.

Modern pharmacology evaluation of zizyphus seed oil and zizyphus extract suggest that with prolonged feeding (to mice)  they can reduce serum triglycerides and cholesterol (mainly LDL), and reduce fatty degeneration of the liver. These same properties have also been attributed to the triterpenes of ganoderma and ginseng.  Connect here to articles on ginseng and ganoderma.

Jujube has increasingly become popular as a source of over-the-counter natural sleep aid.  In this just released study, different extracts of the Zizyphus exerted antioxidant activity. Hence, it is possible that the antioxidant activity of Zizyphus might be due to the presence of different vitamins and fatty acids.   The study also showed that Zizyphus decoction (cooked in water) exerted an immmuno-supressive activity.  Jujube is one of the main ingredients in our natural herbal sleep tea. For more information on our iSleep Herb Pac sleep aid click  here.

References:

Wu Shuyun, et al., Effects of zizyphus seed oil and zizyphus extract on decrease of serum lipoprotein and inhibition of platelet aggregation, China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 1991.

The study quoted can be found at:  http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1472-6882-10-54.pdf
Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) modulates antioxidant activity and human T-cell proliferation
Authors:  Chahid Benammar1§,2, Aziz Hichami2, Akadiri Yessoufou2, Anne-Marie Simonin2, Meriem
Belarbi1, Hocine Allali 3, and Naim A Khan2

Chinese Herbs May Soon Help Those With Cocaine Addiction

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Chinese herbs work for PMS & insomnia, now studied for cocaine addictionThe University of Maryland School of Pharmacy has just  received a prestigious $3.7 million grant to develop a drug which would treat cocaine addiction.   The drug is based on a molecule originally discovered in the extract of Chinese herbs.  Jia Bei Wang Ph.D is a professor of pharmaceutical science and was awarded this grant, the largest ever given by the NIH, National Institute of Health.

Wang and her collaborators from the University’s schools of pharmacy and medicine will develop a drug from a compound called l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), which is the active ingredient in some Chinese herbal medicines. Under the grant, the team also plans to conduct human trials to test the effectiveness of the new drug.  If proven effective, it will be the first drug developed from Chinese herbs and approved in the United States, and possibly anywhere in the world, to treat cocaine addiction.

Congratulations go to Dr. Wang and her team for receiving the grant.  We look forward to the results five years from now.  We’ve always known Chinese herbs can treat a myriad of diseases, from PMS, insomnia, pre-diabetes to alcohol addiction.  Dr. Wang has extensively studied the Chinese research on 1-THP and six months ago she provided IDA with samples produced in China. The agency found it to have a unique profile, says Wang. “Chinese medicine is a big treasure box, which I always had in mind as a possible resource to treat drug addiction,” she says

“Cocaine addiction is a major health concern in both urban and suburban communities and l-THP may be the first effective medication for the treatment of cocaine abuse and addiction approved in this country,” says Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. “Dr. Wang’s clinical research is critical and timely, and if successful, it will augment and strengthen the cognitive-behavioral approaches used currently to treat cocaine addiction.

 

more info here:  http://www.oea.umaryland.edu/communications/news/?ViewStatus=FullArticle&articleDetail=10555

President Clinton Loses Weight With the Help of Herbs

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Clinton loses weight withthe help of a Chinese herbFormer President Clinton wanted to get into shape for his daughters wedding.  Sounds familiar, what almost every parent hopes to do, but not all can achieve this goal.  So how did he do it?  He changed his eating habits and added herbs!  “It changed my whole metabolism,” Clinton says. “And I lost 24 pounds. And I got back to basically what I weighed in high school.”

In the video below President Clinton talks about changing his diet and the protein drink he makes to start his day.  One of the herbs in the morning protein drink is a famous Chinese herb called He Shou Wu.  This herb has been studied and used since ancient times to increase stamina and rejuvenate the body.  Something clearly worked well for Clinton.   This Chinese herb is also well known for increasing sexual vitality and longevity.  Both men and women can use it for fertility.   If you are interested in adding He Shou Wu  to your protein shake or drinking it as a tea, we provide only the  highest quality herbs and He Shou Wu concentrated granules here at Pac Herbs.

Sleep Tips From The Mayo Clinic, Is Sleeping Now a Luxury?

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herbs for sleep Is Sleep a luxury?  As our world has become more modern, more convenient and more well, fast paced sleeping seems to be, more of a luxury than a necessity.  We can take pills to quickly put us to sleep and all kinds of drinks and foods to keep us awake.  We can regulate our bodies for 20 hour work days and 4 hours of rest,  or any combination thereof.   With hundreds of TV stations on 24 hours, movies on demand, internet, anytime, anywhere, there just seems like so many better things to do than sleep.  Even little kids know that it's usually much more fun to stay up late, than to go to bed.

Yes,  but our genetics tell us we need 8-9 hours of sleep every night. Sorry, overriding genetics on this issue will only deteriorate your health.  Here are the  highlights from an eight page report about sleeping well from the Mayo Clinic.  

  • Sleep isn’t a luxury, it is a necessity.
  • Restful sleep is just as important to health as adequate nutrition and exercise.
  • Sleep is necessary to think clearly.
  • Studies have shown that being well rested improves the body’s response to infection.
  • Evidence suggests that brains are hard at work during sleep, possibly forming the pathways necessary for learning, making new memories and insights, and coming up with creative solutions to problems.
  • Inadequate sleep is linked to depression and irritability as well as diabetes, weight problems and cravings for high-calorie, high-carbohydrate foods.
  • Sleep problems often can be treated, sleep aids can be both behavioral and medications.
  • In fact, sleep problems often can be traced to treatable health issues. Examples include poor pain control, frequent nighttime urination, or illnesses that cause coughing or shortness of breath.
  • Insomnia and depression often go hand in hand: Many people develop insomnia prior to being depressed. Studies show that unresolved insomnia increases the risk of depression. It’s not clear if one causes the other, but each can worsen if untreated.
  • Antidepressants may have stimulating properties and make insomnia worse. Prescription sleep aids are designed for short term use.

We believe in natural sleep aids here at Pac Herbs.  Our iSleep Herb Pac will help you rest and feel rejuvenated the next day. Get the sleep your body needs to stay healthy, because sleeping is not just a luxury but a necessity for wellness.  Checkout our all natural iSleep Herb Pac, an herbal formula used in Asian cultures for thousands of years.





Believe It or Not, Prozac for PMS

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PMS, PMDD, best herbal remedies for menstrual crampsAt first I thought it was a joke, but it's for real.  Prozac is now being touted as the latest greatest thing for PMS and PMDD.  This is the drug used for treatment of depression or obsessive-compulsive behavior.  You know, the happy pill. Sadly,  I've seen lots of people who are not happy, who take this pill.

Straight from Wikipedia (and a few other sources) re-labeling drugs is becoming a common occurrence when a prescription drug  patent is about to expire. The  manufacturer suddenly finds "new uses" for it to stem the post-patent sales decrease.    Eli Lilly's re-branding of Prozac is the latest drug to suddenly find new uses.  This time the "research" (hmm, some research at the University of Birmingham, but couldn't find anything published) says it works for the treatment of PMDD, otherwise known as  Pre-Menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This is a dramatic form of Premenstrual syndrome.

Not to worry though, because if Prozac helps your PMDD or your PMS you only have, well minimal side-effects.  Here's the short list. 

 
In clinical studies, the most common side effects Prozac included:
  • Insomnia –– in up to 33 percent  of people    (Great I'm dead tired from not sleeping but I'm not anxious. But I do need another drug to help me sleep, what do you recommend?)
  • Nausea — up to 29 percent
  • Weakness — up to 21 percent
  • Headache — up to 21 percent
  • Diarrhea  — up to 18 percent
  • Loss of appetite — up to 17 percent 
  • Drowsiness — up to 17 percent
  • Anxiety— up to 15 percent               (what, I thought it treats anxiety, You mean I could have a 15% chance of having more anxiety?  What's up with that?)
  • Nervousness — up to 14 percent
  • Shakiness (tremor) — up to 13 percent
  • Dry mouth — up to 12 percent 
  • Decreased sex drive — up to 11 percent 
  • Yawning — up to 11 percent
  • Indigestion — up to 10 percent
  • Dizziness — up to 9 percent
  • Sweating — up to 8 percent
  • Impotence- up to 7 percent 
  • Ejaculation problems — up to 7 percent  (probably doesn't apply to females, unless…   does this include failure to orgasm?)
Other common Prozac side effects (that occurred in at least 1 percent of people) include:
 
  • Flushing (redness of the skin, especially the face)
  • Abnormal dreams
  • Constipation
  • Gas
  • Vomiting
  • Fever or chills
  • Weight loss
  • Vision changes
  • Chest pain
  • High blood pressure/hypertension
  • Increased appetite and weight gain
  • Taste changes
  • Menstrual Problems  (What???  Wait a minute …. I thought you said it's for my menstrual problems??)

Lastly, let's not forget that Prozac, like all anti-depressant drugs, carry the "black box warning"  on the label.  That's the little caveat that says if you commit suicide it's not our fault because we  are telling you this drug may give you suicidal thoughts.   

If you need something for PMS or menstrual cramps and pain, we have a better answer.  You don't have to suffer and you don't have to take a drug with side-effects.  Check out all your options.  Feeling good again can happen, check out a natural alternative used for generations.  We've got it here.

 

Wikipedia  says:    Eli Lilly's patent on Prozac (fluoxetine) expired in the United States in August 2001, prompting an influx of generic drugs onto the market. Prozac was rebranded "Sarafem" for the treatment of PMDD in an attempt to stem the post-patent decrease in Eli Lilly's sales of fluoxetine.

2000 Year Old Herbal Remedies Found in Greek Shipwreck

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Picture a Roman merchant vessel sailing 2000 years ago in the Mediterranean. It’s nearly to it’s destination when a storm blows in, the ship is slammed into rocks near the shore and sinks to the ocean floor. The ship and it’s cargo sits at the bottom of the ocean until just recently when Archeologists excavate it, under water.  Then several years after glass jars holding 2000 year old pills were excavated, analysis  finally reveals their content.  The pills are herbal medicine.  It is believed they were part of a medical kit, assumed to be used by sailors to stay healthy on long voyages.  DNA analysis has now proven several herbs and vegetables were the components of these pills.

But the pills are only part of the story.  A sort of medical chest was found, maybe a physician was on the ship. The archaeologists found a cup used for bleeding, a surgery hook and 136 drug vials made of wood and several tin containers holding flat green tablets.  The herbal pills were sealed and completely dry even though they have been on the sea floor for 2000 years. (That is absolutely mind blowing.)

It took an international authority on medicinal plants of antiquity Alain Touwaide, at the Smithsonian Institution and the Institute for the Preservation of Medical Traditions in Washington, D.C.  to identify the ingredients.  (I didn’t even know we had a Medical Traditions Preservation institute, need to check that out.)


The findings were presented last week at the Fourth International Symposium on Bio-molecular Archaeology in Copenhagen, Denmark.  The herbal remedies were a combination of many plants including  carrot, radish, parsley, celery, wild onion and cabbage, alfalfa, yarrow and some hibiscus were also part of the mix.

“The plants match those described in ancient texts such as those by the ancient Greek physicians Dioscorides and Galen. According to Touwaide,  “Preliminary analysis of these tablets seems to confirm that the ancient doctors used common plants for their treatments.” Whatever they were used for or however they were ingested or used topically it is certainly incredible to have a specimen that is in tact 2000 years later.  

We have always been able to read about herbal remedies in ancient manuscripts but to hold them in our hands and be able to analyze them must be unbelievable.  Finding this ancient herbal medicine reminds us of our reliance on herbs throughout history.  As the saying’s go, history repeats itself and what goes around comes around.

More on this story here:  http://greece.greekreporter.com/2010/09/10/2000-year-old-pills-found-in-greek-shipwreck/

 

From Dr. Mercola, Buyer Beware With Herbs and Tea

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D. Mercola on the best herbal supplements and Chinese herbsIf you are buying herb supplements, especially Chinese herb supplements, which are virtually unregulated or controlled in America, you must  see what Dr. Mercola has to say.  Many Western countries including Canada, Germany, Japan and Australia have strict regulations regarding who can sell herbal supplements and who can import herbs. But not here in the states.  America is a bit like the wild west.  Anything pretty much goes! 

Don’t get me wrong, government regulation can and does get completely out of control, but we do need some standards of quality assurance.  ‘Consumer labs’ does provide reports on everything thing from Chinese herbs to vitamins and other natural supplements so this is always a good place to check on the brands you purchase. 

We are proud to offer only the highest quality, tested and certified herbal products on the market. Our manufacturer, (see our virtual factory tour here) is known worldwide for it’s pharmaceutical factory processing with state of the art equipment. All Pacific Herb products undergo laboratory assurance tests for potency, pesticide contaminants, and toxicity testing. Do your herbal supplements go through this testing?

.  Dr. Mercola on the importance of knowing where and how your herbs are processed.   The first minute are two he talks about adaptogenic herbs the remainder is about  the importance of herbal processing and quality

Stay Healthy As the Seasons Change, Try Some Chinese Herbs

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health news, use Chinese herbs and Chinese medicine as the seasons change

As the weather begins to change and children return to school, colds and flu become prevalent once again.  Take a minute to adjust your diet and even add a Chinese herb or two to keep you healthy as the seasons change.  Here's a few suggestions for foods and herbs.  
 

Foods – Eat more cooked and fewer raw foods. Sour, astringent foods like lemon, lime, pickle, vitamin C, seaweed, and sourdough bread can all benefit your health. Enjoy spicy/pungent foods like onion, garlic, radish, horseradish, and cabbage. Hearty concentrated foods like root vegetables, soy products and barley are also foods for the Fall. Pumpkin, winter squash (I'll soon be posting a new recipe for winter squash soup), and sweet potato are all great choices. Almonds, apples, and pears (especially Asian apple pears) are beneficial to the respiratory system.

The Chinese herb know as Astragalus, or Huang Qi  is a Chinese herb that is often used to boost immunity and aid resistance to illness by increasing phagocytosis and your white blood cell count. Chinese research has shown it to have a protective effect against the common cold when taken consistently for two to eight weeks. Astragalus works best as a long-term preventive measure. It is best to take it as a tea through the cold and flu season to enhance immunity and prevent illness. For more information on Astragalus in an immune boosting soup,  check my previous post here.


Protect – As the weather changes, it is easy to catch colds and flus. Protect the back of your neck from the winds with a scarf or collar. Isn't this one of those duhh's…. but why do so many people ignore this?

Funny and Real, Rantings on “Period” Pain

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menstrual cramp relief that works fast is PMS Relief Herb Pac I just love this,  it's an "actual letter", and was PC Magazine's Editors' Choice award-winner for the best letter sent via e-mail from an Austin, Texas woman sent to Proctor and Gamble regarding one of their feminine products. You have to read the whole thing, because it just gets funnier as it goes on.  Period pain, is never something any woman chooses and far too many women suffer needlessly.  We encourage you to check out our natural alternative, PMS Relief.  It really can make a difference!
  

  Dear Mr. Thatcher,
 
  I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate
  many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency,
  I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer
  clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts.
 
  But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being
  the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic.
  I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little
  F-16 in my pants.
 
  Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't.
  Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already
  feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from
  now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call
  'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.'
 
  Isn't the human body amazing?
 
  As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite
  a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits
  from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping
  we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior.
  You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.
 
  The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling
  with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants… Which brings me to the reason for my letter.
  Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside
  my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed
  on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.' 
 
  Are you kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager
  brain really think happiness – actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during
  a menstrual period? Did anything
  mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI,
  unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy'
  about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock
  yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed
  with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.
 
  For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message
  on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent,
  like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong'.
 
  Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there
  will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business
  elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one
  minute miss your brand of condescending bull. And that's a promise I will keep.
 
  Always…
 
  Wendi Aarons
  Austin , TX 

 

Thank you Wendi,  we couldn't have said it any better.  We would love to send you some PMS Relief Herb Pac's, let us know where to send them.  Thanks for making all our days, even days on the rag,  a little brighter.

A Story on The After Birth, How Valuable Is A Human Placenta?

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Add some chinese herbs to your placenta and you have a nutritious feast.Ok,  this topic makes some heads turn.  I’m sitting at Starbucks talking about my friend who had her placenta cooked and dried and put into capsules after the birth of her baby.   My Starbucks neighbor started giving me strange looks.  Is it just me or if you’re going to eaves drop, is it polite to then give the person a crazy look?  I would have engage the fellow eaves dropper in a friendly conversation on the subject but he split after he heard this story.

So, here is the story.  In China and other parts of the world, the human placenta is considered a valuable source of  nutrients.  The placenta is that which feeds the baby during pregnancy and is otherwise known as “The After-Birth” because it is expelled from the uterus after a birth.  The first Emperor of China used human placenta with Chinese herbs for health reasons some 2200 years ago and it has been used and documented in various culture every since.  

Granted, most of us are not familiar with this concept and understandably it can turn some people’s stomachs. The topic came about because of this article in a Chinese newspaper about the selling of human placentas at some smaller Chinese hospitals. Of course, this is actually illegal. They have the same laws in China regarding the ownership of the placenta as we do here.  The mother is the legal owner but she usually gives up her right to it and in that case the hospital should dispose of  it as medical waste.   Well, entrepreneurs are everywhere and when opportunity knocks, they answer.  In China  some unscrupulous types were buying placentas cheap at various hospitals and selling them for profit, and apparently business is good, there is both a supply and a demand.

In America, some mothers do return home with their placenta’s in a cooler.  Some bury it in the yard for religious reasons other will have a Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist (there really is such a profession) come to their house, cook it with Chinese herbs and pack it into capsules to supplement the new mothers health.

The preparation work and cooking of the placenta is quite a detailed process and should only be attempted by someone who has the proper training and knowledge.  Cooking the placenta with Chinese herbs is said to improve the blood building and is considered a powerful yang tonic.  The placenta is full of natural oxytocins which are responsible for contracting the uterus, enhancing milk supply, increasing energy and the hormones it contains most probably help with postpartum depression.  Historically Chinese Medicine has used human placenta for those who have low energy.

For you expectant mothers, I happen to know Sara Pereira in Los Angeles who is qualified specialist in placenta cooking with Chinese herbs.  You can reach her at mommyfeelgood.com, I definitely recommend it!

Another blog on the topic of human placenta, Tom Cruise on Oprah talked about eating Katie’s placenta.