A county maternal and child healthcare center was punished for illegally selling placentas, xinhuanet.com reported on Wednesday.

The healthcare administration bureau of Linzhang county, Hebei province, received a report that the county maternal and child healthcare center was illegally selling human placentas, a popular ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.

An investigation on Aug 10 and 11 showed that the center illegally sold 123 placentas for 15 yuan ($2.45) each, making a profit of 1,845 yuan.

The bureau banned the operation, confiscated the illegal gains and fined the center 10,000 yuan.

Placenta, a vascular organ discharged shortly after birth, is believed to be full of protein and nutrients, and according to traditional Chinese medicine doctors, can help improve the immune system, slow the aging process and cure impotence and infertility.

However, due to disease concerns, the Ministry of Health banned the trade of placenta in 2005.