Supplement manufacturers derive emu oil from the fatty back of the emu, an ostrich-like bird endemic to Australia. Long used in Australian aboriginal medicine, emu oil now dominates the supplement market as an over-the-counter treatment for a variety of diseases and conditions. According to a 1998 report by the University of Queensland, emu oil appears to be an effective treatment for pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. However, the product presents several disadvantages.
Fraudulent Marketing
In a consumer guide published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, emu oil is cited as an example of a deceptively marketed health product. According to the report, one manufacturer claimed that emu oil could treat serious diseases like cancer, heart failure, diabetes, gangrene, Alzheimer's disease and infection. While emu oil may offer some health benefits, consumers should be wary of any product promoted as a cure for any disease. The FDA does not approve emu oil as a treatment for any medical condition.
Lack of Quality Control
In the United States, emu oil is sold as a supplement rather than a drug. Lax regulations govern the manufacture of dietary supplements, so consumers cannot be certain of their potency or purity. Scientists at the University of Queensland noted considerable variation in the potency of commercial emu oil. Natural fluctuations in emu health may explain some inconsistency in emu oil product quality. Poor manufacturing policies, contamination and deliberately deceptive labeling may also influence the potency of these supplements.
Animal Rights Issues
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals disapproves of the captive breeding of nondomesticated animals, including emus and ostriches. The ASPCA states that emus experience severe physical and emotional stress in captivity because they are not a domesticated species.
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