Placenta Hominis

Placenta Hominis, commonly known as Zi He Che or He Che in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a medicinal substance derived from the dried human placenta. It is traditionally classified as a potent tonic used to replenish vital essence (Jing), tonify the kidneys, and nourish the blood. Pharmacologically, it contains a complex array of bioactive components, including steroid hormones such as estrogens and progesterone, peptide hormones like human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and various growth factors including epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). It also contains immunoglobulins and essential amino acids. Its primary therapeutic applications include the treatment of infertility, impotence, chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma (attributed to kidney deficiency), and general physical exhaustion or debility. While it was historically a staple in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, it was officially removed in the 2015 edition due to safety concerns regarding potential viral contamination (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis B/C) and ethical considerations surrounding the sourcing of human tissue, although it remains in clinical use in certain regions and proprietary formulations.

Other names

Zi He CheHuman PlacentaDried Human PlacentaHe CheHominis Placenta