Along with its meat and leather, the emu, a large, flightless bird native to Australia, is valued for its oil. Emu oil is potentially beneficial in reducing inflammation, softening skin and easing joint pain, according to the website Drugs.com. Available online or in health food stores, emu oil is an ingredient in shampoos, skin creams and cosmetics. Clinical studies confirming emu oil’s health benefits are lacking. Consult your doctor before using emu oil to treat any medical condition.
History
Australian Aboriginal tribes used emu oil to soothe sore joints and reduce muscle swelling. Drugs.com reports that the tribes applied the oil to the affected joint and allowed the warm sun’s rays to heat the oil, soothing the joint and possibly penetrating the skin. The oil was also valuable as a leather conditioner. The FDA does not oversee the production and sale of emu oil, so there is no guarantee of purity, safety or effectiveness.
Properties
Emu oil is low on the comedogenic scale, meaning it is less likely to clog pores than other oils, according to the Emu Oil Institute. The oil contains beneficial fatty acids, making it valuable in skin creams, and emu oil may be transdermal, or able to penetrate the surface of the skin. Clinical studies are necessary to confirm these properties.
Benefits
Emu oil may reduce the formation of scar tissue in new wounds and it may speed the growth of new hair, reports the Emu Oil Institute, making it valuable in the ongoing study of treatments for alopecia, a hair loss disorder. Other conditions that may respond favorably to emu oil include rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, skin grafting, keloids and other skin disorders. Studies confirming these benefits are lacking.
Dosage/Method
No standard dosage or recommended application method of emu oil exists. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for applying the product containing emu oil to the skin, or consult a doctor of naturopathy for advice.
Considerations
Clinical studies on the safety of emu oil are lacking, but the oil is generally thought to be safe for most individuals. Drugs.com advises pregnant women and nursing mothers not to use emu oil. The quality of emu oil may vary from one manufacturer to the next, according to the Kansas Emu Association. KEA advises that lower grades of emu oil may contain trace metals, or pesticides. Discontinue use if you experience any unexplained side effects and contact your doctor.
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