EMU Oil & Muscle Aches

Muscle pain, or myalgia is a common complaint, affecting virtually everyone at some point. The website MayoClinic notes that localized muscle pain usually results from overuse, minor injuries or tension; muscle pain that occurs over your whole body can indicate an underlying medical condition, and should be evaluated by a doctor. Minor muscle aches can be treated with rest and over-the counter painkillers; some people turn to emu oil to treat aching muscles. Although many claims are made for emu oil's healing properties, human clinical studies on its effectiveness are lacking.

Emu and Emu Oil Features

The emu, scientifically known as Dromaius novaehollandiae, is a large flightless bird native to Australia. According to Fancy Feather Farms, these naturally hardy birds can run at speeds of up to 40 mph and survive in temperatures ranging from subzero to 100 degrees F. Emu oil, rendered from the fat of the bird, was first used for medicinal purposes by the Aboriginal people of Australia, who employed it for sore muscles, joint pain and burns. Other traditional uses include the treatment of psoriasis and arthritis.

Emu Oil Constituents and Properties

According to the website Drugs, which provides peer-reviewed medical information to consumers, emu oil contains myristic, palmitic, and stearic acids, with particularly rich concentrations of linoleic, linolenic and oleic acids. The website adds that emu oil has demonstrated anti-inflammatory qualities in animal studies According to Wright State University Pharmacy, oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid, is considered to have anti-inflammatory effects as well. Anti-inflammatory substances can help relieve muscle aches from unaccustomed physical activity, which cause small tears in muscle fibers that inflame and irritate the muscle.

Research

There is some scientific animal researching supporting the belief in emu oil's therapeutic properties. In a clinical study conducted by A. Lopez and colleagues and published in the December 1996 issue of "American Journal of Veterinary Research," researchers found that topically applied emu oil significantly reduced inflammation and swelling in the ears of mice. In a clinical review conducted by M.W. Whitehouse and colleagues and published in Vol.6 of the 1998 issue of "Inflammopharmacology," the authors stated that emu oil was an effective inhibitor of chronic inflammation in rats. Emu oil studies are ongoing at University of Massachusetts Lowell, with Robert Nicolosi, Ph.D., director of the university's Center for Health and Disease Research, leading the research.

Application

Many herbalists believe that emu oil is particularly efficient at making its way through the skin, allowing for full access to its therapeutic properties by merely massaging it on. Wright State University Pharmacy concurs, stating that emu oil possesses a unique ability to penetrate the skin, probably due to its lack of phospholipids. The Drugs website reports that the traditional dosage is topical application to the affected muscles two to three times a day, but that this dosage has not been supported by clinical trial data.

Safety Considerations

The website Drugs states that no adverse reactions have been reported from the use of emu oil. Wright State University Pharmacy cautions that emu oil could theoretically affect the action of blood-thinning medications. Ask your doctor before using emu oil. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, you shouldn't use it at all.