Emu oil is derived from the fats of the emu bird, which is a flightless bird that is native to Australia. It resembles an ostrich and comprises of fatty acids. The oil is clear, bright yellow in colour. Although we are just learning about the myriad health benefits and uses of emu oil now, the aborigines of Australia used the oil and the fats to treat various skin infections and disorders, thousands of years ago!

Emu oil is made up of essential fatty acids, like omega-3 (linolenic acid), omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-9 (oleic acid), which are all good for your body and absorbs well, directly onto your skin. Not only that, it contains vitamin A, a known antioxidant and an excellent tonic. As such, it is a great oil to have in your arsenal! Read on to find out how exactly emu oil benefits your body.

Health Benefits of Emu Oil:

1. Helps Reduce Inflammation

Emu oil contains anti-inflammatory properties, which means it is a great agent to relieve inflammatory conditions like swollen joints and muscular pains. It reduces swelling and offers pain relief from muscular ailments like arthritis and rheumatism. If you have incurred a wound, cut or scrape on your skin, emu oil is also great for reducing the inflamed area and the swelling as well as easing the pain.

A 1997 study published in Inflammopharmacology notes how emu oil is actually efficacious enough to be compared with that of orally administered ibuprofen, after it was applied topically on the adjuvant-induced arthritic rats.

2. Fights Infections

The presence of essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins all make emu oil a great agent to fight infections, both internally and externally. It also contains bactericidal properties that helps to eradicate bacteria and prevent them from multiplying and spreading to other areas. As such, it is a useful topical aid agent to be applied on wounds, cuts, scrapes or bruises and a good agent to boost your immune system as it fights off bacteria, infections and viruses within your body as well.

A 2005 study conducted by researchers from the Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China found that the swelling and effusion of the burn wounds in the male Wistar rats in the experiment were significantly alleviated, without having any traces of wound infection or any other adverse effects. Thus, they concluded that emu oil could alleviate topical inflammation with faster healing times of the burn wounds.

3. Promotes Skin Health

As abovementioned, emu oil contains much anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties, which makes it a great agent for alleviating skin conditions like acne. It soothes red and inflamed skin, while also ridding any bacteria that may be lurking on your face. This hence helps to inhibit pimple growth and the spread of acne on other parts of your face. Also, it will help to diminish the appearance of post-acne red marks as the oil is very nourishing and moisturizing on your face.

Additionally, with its amazing absorbent qualities, the oil absorbs directly into your skin and penetrates deep below the surface of your skin. Thus, it does not stay on the surface of your skin and clogs up your pores, which can further contribute to acne. This is due to the presence of fat lipids in the oil, which are similar to those found on the top layer of the skin.

It is also great for treating other skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, and its vitamin A component, which is rich with antioxidants, helps to maintain the wonderful, youthful and radiant appearance of your skin. This is because it greatly helps to fight off signs of oxidative stress and free radical damage, therefore preventing the onset of wrinkles, sagging skin and dark spots.

It is ultimately very rejuvenating and moisturizing, perfect for those who are looking for a nice, natural pick-me-up to boost your dull skin.

In fact, a 2015 research study published in the Journal of Advanced Biomedical Research found that after four weeks of consistent treatment with vitamin K in emu oil, the skin around the right eye of the 11 healthy women volunteers in the experiment experienced a reduction in the depth of wrinkles and dark circles. From a subjective point of view, the appearance and elasticity of the skin were improved as well.

4. Supports Digestive Health

Emu oil contains linolenic acid, which has the power to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and infections, as seen in the 2012 study found in HHS Public Access database. In that study, researchers found that linolenic acid exhibited significant bactericidal activity against resistant strains of H. pylori, which is responsible for causing various gastric diseases like gastritis, ulcers and gastric malignancy.

Another 2012 study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that emu oil possesses significant anti-inflammatory properties that are able to endow partial protection against chemotherapy-induced mucositis, with indications of improved intestinal repair. Thus, it can be considered an alternative to conventional treatments for inflammatory disorders affecting the gastrointestinal system.

Mucositis is a painful condition characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tracts. As such, emu oil serves great benefits for those who have gastrointestinal ulcers and diseases brought about by infectious bacteria strains and viruses.

5. Soothes Pain from Breastfeeding

Sometimes, nursing mothers may experience painful, dry and cracked nipples as they begin breastfeeding. Luckily, emu oil is here to soothe the pain and moisturize your nipples so as to offer comfort from such uncomfortable conditions! This is even backed up by scientific literature, as seen in a 2016 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

There, researchers studied the dermal effects of emu oil on the areola skin after birth in 70 breastfeeding mothers and found that emu oil was effective in improving hydration of the breast areolae, while leaving skin pH levels, temperature and elasticity unaffected.

6. Promotes Hair and Nail Health

Because of the rich presence of antioxidants and vitamin E, emu oil is a great natural agent for you to achieve radiant, healthy and glowing hair. It helps combat any damages done to your hair, and facilitates increased circulation to the scalp. As such, it nourishes the hair and scalp as well as promotes hair growth, as seen in a 2014 study published in the Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Its antioxidant and moisturizing properties are also great for the nail cuticles and reducing inflammation which might be caused by skin fungal conditions like toenail fungus.

7. Lowers Cholesterol Levels

Also, emu oil can potentially help lower cholesterol levels in the body, thus managing the level of fats in the body and preventing a whole host of diseases and health conditions associated with a high cholesterol level, thanks to the abundance of healthy fatty acids present in the oil.

The research oil on emu oil specifically is pretty limited, but there are scientific research done on the efficacy of essential fatty acids and how they have cholesterol-lowering effects. For example, a 1997 study conducted by researchers from the Nutrition and Metabolism Research Group in Canada found that the omega-3 fatty acid significantly reduced triacylglycerol levels, without actually affecting LDL or HDL cholesterol levels.

Thus, the omega-3 fatty acid found in emu oil can potentially help in fat loss and lowering of cholesterol levels to a healthy level as well!

How to Use Emu Oil?

• Topically: Emu oil is safe enough to be used directly onto the skin by rubbing or massaging it on the areas of concern. This greatly helps in reducing inflammation and pain. If you are looking for something to moisturize your dry skin or soothe redness/irritation of the skin, you can also rub it directly onto your face.

• Internally: To reap the internal benefits of emu oil, you can also ingest emu oil by adding one drop of the oil into a glass of water. Ensure proper dilution by stirring sufficiently and then drinking it.

Safety Precautions:

• Always be sure to purchase a high-quality, top-grade and 100% pure-grade emu oil from a reliable and reputable seller.

• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult the doctor first before taking the oil internally.

• Emu oil can be applied directly onto the skin, but some people might have sensitive skin and experience skin irritation. Therefore, always perform a skin patch test first to ensure that you do not have any allergic or sensitive reactions to the oil.

References:

Snowden JM, Whitehouse MW, “Anti-inflammatory activity of emu oils in rats”, Inflammopharmacology (1997); 5(2)

Qiu XW, et al., “Anti-inflammatory activity and healing-promoting effects of topical application of emu oil on wound in scalded rats”, PubMed (2005); 25(4)

Fatahmeh Ahmadraji, Mohammad Ali Shatalebi, “Evaluation of the clinical efficacy and safety of an eye counter pad containing caffeine and vitamin K in emulsified Emu oil base”, Journal of Advanced Biomedical Research (2015)

Marygorret Obonyo, et al., “Antibacterial Activities of Liposomal Linolenic Acids against Antibiotic-resistant Helicobacter pylori”, HHS Public Access (2012); 9(9)

Abimosleh SM, Tran CD, Howarth GS, “Emu Oil: a novel therapeutic for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract?” Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2012); 27(5)

Zanardo V, et al., “Efficacy of Topical Application of Emu Oil on Areola Skin Barrier in Breastfeeding Women”, Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2016); 21(1)

M.A. Shatalebi, Y. Rafiei, “Preparation and evaluation of minoxidil foamable emu oil emulsion”, Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2014); 9(2)

Goh YK, “Effect of omega 3 fatty acid on plasma lipids, cholesterol and lipoprotein fatty acid content in NIDDM patients”, Diabetologia (1997); 40(1)