Sheep_placenta_extract
The placenta is an organ which links the fetus to the mother in mammals for the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and fetal waste products to the mother. Many species of mammals consume their placentas. Placentas are consumed in some human cultures. This may be for nutrition but often it has a cultural significance. For more information about the ritual consumption of placenta see Placenta: Society and culture. Human and animal placentas are also used as a source of extracts for ingredients in various consumer products such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, hair care products, health tonics, and food products other than ritual consumption by the mother or family. Human placentas are also used by search and rescue teams to train their search and rescue dogs to detect human remains.