Emu oil is a bright yellow liquid made up mostly of fat collected from the deposits below the skin of the emu bird.
Once collected, the fats are passed through various filters and processes to produce pure oil. This reduces bacteria and contaminants. Some emu oils are refined more than others to create higher fatty acid content.
Organizations such as the American Emu Association have certification programs to ensure that the emu oil people buy is pure and that the emus enjoy the best possible lives.
Some people report benefits for their skin and overall health.
Emu oil is rich in:
- saturated fatty acids
- oleic acid
- palmitic acid
- linoleic acids
- antioxidants
These components may contribute to various health benefits, such as heart health, anti-inflammatory effects, and cellular protection.
Traditionally, people have used emu oil because they believed it relieves minor aches and pains, lowers cholesterol, and repels insects.
Since then, people have attributed more benefits to emu oil, although evidence is lacking to support many of these claims.
Emu oil appears to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
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However, researchers conducted this study on lab-grown cells rather than in living organisms. Therefore, these findings may not apply to humans and more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness as an anti-inflammatory.
As well as potentially reducing inflammation, research suggests that emu oil has multiple skin health benefits.
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- Prevented water loss, which is key for maintaining skin hydration.
- Reduced skin thickness, which can lead to problems like dry and cracked skin.
- Decreased the level of a protein linked to inflammation in atopic dermatitis.
- Decreased the level of a protein linked to allergic responses.
Similarly, another study found that emu oil helps wounds heal faster. Researchers found it speeds up the closure of the wound, promotes new skin growth, reduces inflammation, produces healing immune cells, and lowers harmful inflammatory substances.
However, while emu oil appears to have promising effects on skin health, it may not apply to humans. More clinical studies on this topic are necessary.
According to a 2023 study citing older research, emu oil can decrease levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
This hormone is linked to hair thinning and loss, particularly in conditions like androgenetic alopecia.
It is thought it does this by inhibiting the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT.
However, more research is needed to substantiate these claims and better understand the overall effect of emu oil on hair loss.
Emu oil needs to be researched more in humans to understand its short and long-term effects on health fully.
For example, it is unknown whether emu oil interacts with other medications and supplements taken by mouth or applied to the skin.
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.
Pregnant or breastfeeding people should avoid emu oil as research on its effects on these groups is limited.
Overall, a person should first check with a healthcare professional to ensure emu oil is suitable for use.
If a person is still considering purchasing emu oil, they should consider where it has been sourced.
Emus thrive when they have room to roam and can eat a rich diet. Low quality living conditions may result in inferior quality oil. Buying oil from a reputable source is best, especially as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate its production.
Emu oil may have some health benefits, such as being an effective anti-inflammatory, improving skin health, and helping with hair loss.
Some also claim it helps to relieve minor aches and pains, lower cholesterol, and repel insects.
However, research findings on this topic largely pertain to animals or non-living organisms. Therefore, further human trials are necessary to confirm its effects on human health.