EMU OIL BENEFITS:
The biggest benefit of emu oil is how it absorbs into the skin. Due to its smaller particles, emu oil has increased enhancement and carrier capabilities: It penetrates deeper into your skin and carries other ingredients with it. Aboriginal Australians began using this thick cure-all almost 40,000 years ago today. An emu is a flightless bird, scientifically named Dromaius novaehallandiae. The bird is native to Australia, but is now found in many countries, because of a rising popularity of nutritious emu meat and medicinal emu oil.Emu oil is rich in fats, “particularly long-chained triglyceride esters, such as oleic acid and linoleic acid. It also contains saturated fatty acids like palmitic acid.” It contains 70 percent unsaturated fatty acids (mainly omega-9), 20 percent linoleic acid (omega-6), and 1-2 percent linolenic acid (omega-3). When purchasing as a standalone product, be sure to look out for 100 percent pure emu oil that does not contain unwanted contaminants''. Emu oil can also be found as an ingredient in various moisturizing creams and oils.
Organizations such as the Australian Emu Association have certification programs that aim to ensure that the emu oil people buy is pure, and that the emus enjoyed the best possible lives. Once the fats are collected, they are passed through various filters and processes until pure oil is produced. The different types of emu oil depend on the different levels of filtration and processing. Most emu oils will go through full processing in order to reduce bacteria and contaminants. Some emu oils are refined more than others, in order to create higher contents of fatty acids.
According to one report, a single emu bird produces about 250 ounces of oil. Fully pure emu oil will always be completed refined. This is the type of emu oil that is studied for its beneficial effects. Most farmers only raise emus for their fat, but some try to use as much of the bird as possible, from its meat to its skin, which is made into leather. Whether or not your emu oil comes from an ethical source depends on the manufacturer.
Emu oil is rich in:
- oleic acid (~42%)
- palmitic acid (~21%)
- linoleic acids (~21%)
- antioxidants (~9%)
These compounds can help fight inflammation, dry skin, high cholesterol, and more. For centuries, this oil ingredient has been utilized for everything from moisturizing extremely dry skin to helping heal wounds.
EMU OIL USES:
Unlike typical medications used to treat ailments like dermatitis, inflammation, and dehydrated skin, emu oil has shown to have many benefits without any major side effects. Emu oil is a natural product that is able to support your health without causing additional problems. Studies suggest that it is effective for many different conditions. Emu oil is similar to human skin oil, meaning it is less likely to cause skin irritation or reactions compared to skin and health products with chemical components.You can use emu oil as a topical treatment or a carrier oil. Mixing it with lotions and creams may help your skin absorb the ingredients better. You can also take emu oil as an oral supplement in the form of capsules for inflammation and cholesterol. Emu oil, though, is not a cure-all, and it’s important to know the research on its benefits is ongoing.
Improve Moisturization:
- Emu oil contains high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, therefore it is able to easily penetrate the skin’s barriers for deep moisturization
- When compared to other types of oil, emu oil had 2-4 times greater penetration of the skin.
- These effects show that emu oil is able to moisturize and rejuvenate the skin extremely effectively.
- As an occlusive moisturizer, emu oil does a fantastic job of improving hydration and preventing water loss.
- In fact, a lotion with emu oil as a base may penetrate and help your skin better than pure emu oil.
- Studies also suggest that emu oil may have fewer side effects for people with dermatitis and eczema.
Reduce Inflammation and Treat Arthritis:
- It is suggested that the plethora of polyunsaturated fatty acids in emu oil contribute to its anti-inflammatory effect.
- Emu oil contains oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitoleic acid, among others.
- These components have been shown to be highly effective in treating inflammation of the skin.
- Taken orally, emu oil is another source of fatty acids that can contribute to better digestive health.
- The anti-inflammatory properties of emu oil may also benefit gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
- Emu oil was originally used by Australian aboriginals to treat pain and arthritis
- It is suggested that the unsaturated fatty acids in emu oil helps reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, and therefore reduces pain
Eczema, Psoriasis and Lichen Sclerosus Treatment:
- Eczema and psoriasis are conditions characterized by dry patches of itchy, scaly skin.
- Due to its skin moisturizing properties, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties, emu oil is a popular treatment choice for people with these skin conditions
- As a natural product, emu oil penetrates the dry, cracked skin without burning or irritation
- A study showed that topical treatment of psoriasis and eczema with emu oil significantly improved these conditions in as early as 15 days of treatment
- At 30 days of treatment, redness, dryness, and swelling were all improved in the participants using emu oil.
- Lichen sclerosis is a skin condition causing thin, white patches of dry and painful skin in the genital area.
- Moisturization is an important part of keeping lichen sclerosus under control.
- Emu oil is a safe alternative to medicated creams that can be used to treat lichen sclerosus and keep the sensitive areas moisturized.
Aid Internal Bodily Function, Improve Cholesterol and Lose Weight:
- Along with calorie restriction and exercise, emu oil can help reduce obesity.
- You can swap fish oil capsules for emu oil capsules, especially if you’re sensitive to seafood.
- While there’s little research on emu oil for weight loss and cholesterol, there’s plenty of evidence on the effectiveness of fatty acids.
- Assists with absorptive function, gastric emptying, intestinal transit, bowel, joint, and overall inflammation.
Radiation Dermatitis and Chapped Lips:
- Cancer treatment can be very hard on the body. Radiation treatment has especially harsh effects on the skin and often causes a rash called radiation dermatitis
- Radiation can also lead to severely dry, chapped, and cracked lips. Emu oil can be used to reduce skin and lip toxicity for patients receiving radiation treatment
- Due to its moisturizing nature, emu oil creates a barrier on the skin in order to help reduce the damage from radiation
- Emu oil can be used as a lip balm to achieve the same beneficial effects to protect the skin during radiation therapy
Increase Collagen Production:
- Emu oil can be used topically to support skin health beyond just moisturization
- In studies, emu oil has shown to increase the production of collagen
- The production of collagen helps skin wounds heal quickly
Dermatitis Inflammation:
- Emu oil has shown to be more effective at treating redness and swelling due to dermatitis when compared to steroid creams like clotrimazole and hydrocortisone.
- While the steroid creams are useful in treating the dermatitis and itchiness, emu oil is a safe addition to your topical regimen in order to treat redness and swelling associated with dermatitis.
Tattoo and Piercing Aftercare:
- Because emu oil can penetrate the skin so effectively, it is a leading natural option that can be used for tattoo and piercing aftercare.
- It provides extreme hydration to the affected skin in order to help it heal properly and quickly.
Hair and Nail Growth:
- Emu oil has shown to promote hair growth in studies.
- Emu oil stimulates the skin and hair follicles which results in increased hair growth.
- When used with traditional hair growth methods, emu oil is a potent hair growth promoter.
- Apply emu oil with a few drops of peppermint oil to your scalp and massage to help hair growth.
- Early studies on mice suggest that emu oil can promote new hair follicles.
- Ingesting emu oil capsules may also help with your hair and nail health.
- A diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can improve hair density, and decrease brittle hair and nails, as well as hair loss.
- It may take two to six months for you to notice any changes in your hair and nails.
Scar and Stretch Mark Prevention:
- The key to preventing stretch marks or scars is to keep the skin moisturized.
- Emu oil can help moisturize skin and improve or prevent damaged skin, stretch marks, and scars.
- Emu oil can be used on new or old scars or stretch marks to help reduce their appearance.
- Use creams with emu oil for healing cuts, burns, or bruises.
Improve wounds, scars, and sun damage
Pet Care:
- Emu oil is a safe product to use on pets, too.
- Pets that have dry skin, chapped paws, dry noses, dry skin, or itchy spots may benefit from using emu oil regularly to keep their body moisturized.
- Emu oil has been shown to rapidly restore damaged skin in animals and is safe for consumption in case it is ingested.
High Absorption Rate Carrier Oil:
- Emu oils' molecular composition is so similar to human skin oil that it is able to absorb deeply into the skin.
- This makes it a superior carrier oil for other ingredients and medications.
- Add emu oil to your favorite moisturizers or homemade skincare products to improve their effectiveness.
Skin Aging Prevention:
- In addition to its moisturizing capabilities, emu oil has positive effects on collagen production.
- Collagen is one of the compounds that keeps your skin elastic, plump, and wrinkle-free.
- Emu oils antioxidant properties can also target any signs of aging caused by oxidative stress.
- One place aging starts is around the eyes.
- Look for an eye treatment with emu oil, caffeine, and vitamin K.
- A 2015 study examined the effects of these ingredients on 11 women, who were instructed to apply a pad coated in them to one eye.
- After four weeks, the eye that was treated showed fading of dark circles, improved elasticity, and fewer lines.
Reduce Nipple Sensitivity:
- New mothers can use an emu oil–based cream after delivery to improve hydration around their nipple and areola.
- This can help decrease nipple pain or trauma due to breastfeeding.
- One study looked at this treatment and found that the emu oil didn’t affect the pH, temperature, or elasticity of the areola.
- If you try this treatment, be sure to use a warm cloth to remove residual oil before breastfeeding.
- There’s limited research on the safety of emu oil for children and infants.
Repel Bugs and Insects:
- Emu oil contains terpenes, which are natural substances that repel insects.
- Research shows that terpenes may be effective against adult head lice, cockroaches, and triatomine bugs.
- However, terpenes may attract mosquitos, so you might want to use other repellants when outdoors.
EMU OIL SHELF LIFE
Quality emu oil can last for about one to two years, depending on how you store it. Keeping it in the refrigerator may help extend shelf life. Most emu farming is farm-to-finish, meaning that the farmers themselves also handle sales.Always buy emu oil from a reputable source to promote ethical farming and avoid contamination. Contaminants can cause unintended side effects such as skin irritation, especially over long-term use.
EMU OIL DOSING
Emu oil is available over-the-counter and does not require a prescription from a doctor. The appropriate dose of emu oil depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for emu oil.Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
EMU OIL RISKS
There is no known danger of using emu oil over a long period of time. It’s recommend to avoid putting emu oil with poisonous substances on your skin, such as oil from poison ivy or oak. As emu oil is an enhancer that penetrates the skin, this may delay healing. Emu oil is a natural product and there are few documented side effects. Some people may experience skin irritation when applying emu oil directly to the skin as a topical ointment. To avoid this, a person should apply a small amount of emu oil to a small patch of skin, such as the back of one hand. If an allergic reaction occurs, they should stop using the oil.It may also be important to consider the source of the emu oil. Emus thrive when they have plenty of room to roam and are able to eat a rich diet. Low-quality living conditions may result in inferior quality oil. It is best to buy oil from a reputable source, especially as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not regulate its production.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk to their doctor before using emu oil. It is important to consult a doctor about the possible uses of emu oil and if it will affect a pregnancy.
EMU OIL BOTTOM LINE
People looking to incorporate more holistic and natural ingredients into their routine may want to look at emu oil. Emu oil is an attractive ingredient for topical application, especially for skin conditions like eczema, scars, and dry skin.Talk to a doctor, nutritionist, or another medical profession if you have concerns about dosage and use. Don’t use emu oil as a replacement for any medical treatment that your doctor has prescribed.