Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionUses and ClaimsSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageSources & What to Look ForFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Uses and Claims
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Sources & What to Look For
Frequently Asked Questions
Emuoil is rich in antioxidants likecarotenoidsandpolyunsaturated fats. It has long been used in many cultures to heal wounds and treat common skin disorders. It’s believed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.
Emu oil is made from the refined fat of emus, large flightless birds native to Australia. The oil is sold online and in supplement stores as a topical ointment.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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What Is Emu Oil?
Emu oil comes from the fat of the emu, a large flightless bird. The fat is made of compounds called fatty acids that may reduce pain and swelling. Emu oil also has skin moisturizing properties. The fat harvested from the emu is passed through filters to get pure emu oil.The end product can vary from an off-white creamy texture to a bright yellow liquid.
Purported Uses of Emu Oil
There are purported claims of uses for emu oil but the research on uses in humans is limited.
Unproven Uses
Emu oil has been studied in lab and animal studies for:
There is NOT enough evidence to support using emu oil for any of the above conditions in people because there is a lack of human research.
More studies in humans would need to be done showing that it is safe and effective before emu oil could be recommended for certain health conditions. Here’s what the current research says about the purported benefits.
Inflammation:One animal study found emu oil reduced intestinal inflammation and improved the structure of the intestinal lining after chemotherapy treatment.Another animal study concluded that a combination of aloe vera and emu oil helped protect the intestinal lining from developing ulcers associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use.
Skin Health:A pilot study evaluated the effects of emu oil on rash, skin redness, peeling, and skin swelling during radiation treatment. The study authors confirmed the safety of oil-based skin treatments during radiation therapy and reported a trend for reduced skin toxicity for patients receiving emu oil. However, larger studies are needed to confirm effectiveness.
Another study found emu oil reduced itching associated withseborrheic dermatitis, but not as much as standard medical treatments.
Cholesterol:It is theorized that the types of fatty acids in emu oil could help lower cholesterol similar to the effects of olive oil. A 2004 animal study found emu oil was as effective as olive oil and more effective than coconut oil in reducing atherosclerosis.However, no human studies have been conducted.
What Can You Use Blu-Emu Cream For?
What Are the Side Effects of Emu Oil?
Since there is not enough research, we don’t know about the short-term or long-term safety of using emu oil. It’s also not clear whether emu oil causes side effects.
If you’re using emu oil and think you are having side effects, stop using it and contact your healthcare provider.
What Is Coconut Oil Good For?
Who Should Not Use Emu Oil?
Emu oil is not recommended for children. Not enough research has been done to show that it would be safe or effective for children to use.
If you’re pregnant orlactating, you should not take emu oil in any form. Children should not use these products either. There has not been enough research to show that it is safe and effective for these groups.
A 2016 study looked at using emu oil whilebreastfeeding. It found that putting emu-oil cream on the breasts’areolasdaily reduced cracking and bleeding.However, the researchers did not evaluate if the emu oil was safe for nursing infants.
Can I Use Lanolin While Breastfeeding?
Dosage: How Much Emu Oil Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
There is not enough scientific evidence to determine a standard or appropriate dose of emu oil. More research is needed on dosages for specific health needs and populations.
Studies investigating emu oil have used varying amounts of the product.
What Are the Benefits of Using Evening Primrose Oil?
Sources of Emu Oil and What to Look For
Emu oil comes in many topical applications, including unrefined oils and highly refined oils in glass dropper bottles. There are also emu oil sprays, moisturizing creams, and lotions enriched with emu oil. Emu oil can be purchased online, at a health food store, or directly from a farmer.
How Is Argan Oil Used?
Summary
While it’s been investigated in lab and animal studies for several purported uses, there is not enough human evidence to prove that emu oil is safe or works in humans.
Before purchasing emu oil, check with your healthcare provider to ensure it is appropriate for you to use. At this time, more research is needed before this supplement can be recommended for any use.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsEmu oil is harvested after an emu has died, which means it is not considered a cruelty-free product.Unless a maker explains how they got the oil, it’s not possible to tell ifthe emu died for another reasonor specifically so that the oil could be harvested.Some brands of emu oilclaim it can lighten dark spotson the skin but there have not been studies on humans to prove it.Some companiessuggest using their emu oil on body piercings, but it has not been specifically studied. It’s important to follow the aftercare for a piercing that is given to you to prevent infections.
Emu oil is harvested after an emu has died, which means it is not considered a cruelty-free product.Unless a maker explains how they got the oil, it’s not possible to tell ifthe emu died for another reasonor specifically so that the oil could be harvested.
Emu oil is harvested after an emu has died, which means it is not considered a cruelty-free product.
Unless a maker explains how they got the oil, it’s not possible to tell ifthe emu died for another reasonor specifically so that the oil could be harvested.
Some brands of emu oilclaim it can lighten dark spotson the skin but there have not been studies on humans to prove it.
Some companiessuggest using their emu oil on body piercings, but it has not been specifically studied. It’s important to follow the aftercare for a piercing that is given to you to prevent infections.
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7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jeengar MK, Kumar PS, Thummuri D, et al.Review on emu products for use as complementary and alternative medicine.Nutrition.2015;31(1):21-27. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2014.04.004.Lindsey R, Geier M, Yasbeck Y, et al.Orally administered emu oil decreases acute inflammation and alters selected small intestinal parameters in a rat model of mucositis.Brit J Nutrit.2010; 104(4):513-9. doi:10.1017/S000711451000084X.Vemu B, Selvasubramanian S, Pandiyan V.Emu oil offers protection in Crohn’s disease model in rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016 Feb 6;16:55. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1035-yRollmann DC, Novotny PJ, Petersen IA, et al.Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Processed Ultra Emu Oil Versus Placebo in the Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2015 Jul 1;92(3):650-8. doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.02.028.Attarzadeh Y, Asilian A, Shahmoradi Z, et al.Comparing the efficacy of Emu oil with clotrimazole and hydrocortisone in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: A clinical trial.J Res Med Sci. 2013 Jun;18(6):477-81.Wilson TA, Nicolosi RJ, Handelman G, et al.Comparative effects of emu and olive oil on aortic early atherosclerosis and associated risk factors in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Nutrition Research. 2004;24(6):395-406. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2003.12.004Zanardo V, Giarrizzo D, Maiolo L, et al.Efficacy of topical application of emu oil on areola skin barrier in breastfeeding women.J of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. 2015;21(1):10-13. doi:10.1177/2156587215588653
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jeengar MK, Kumar PS, Thummuri D, et al.Review on emu products for use as complementary and alternative medicine.Nutrition.2015;31(1):21-27. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2014.04.004.Lindsey R, Geier M, Yasbeck Y, et al.Orally administered emu oil decreases acute inflammation and alters selected small intestinal parameters in a rat model of mucositis.Brit J Nutrit.2010; 104(4):513-9. doi:10.1017/S000711451000084X.Vemu B, Selvasubramanian S, Pandiyan V.Emu oil offers protection in Crohn’s disease model in rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016 Feb 6;16:55. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1035-yRollmann DC, Novotny PJ, Petersen IA, et al.Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Processed Ultra Emu Oil Versus Placebo in the Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2015 Jul 1;92(3):650-8. doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.02.028.Attarzadeh Y, Asilian A, Shahmoradi Z, et al.Comparing the efficacy of Emu oil with clotrimazole and hydrocortisone in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: A clinical trial.J Res Med Sci. 2013 Jun;18(6):477-81.Wilson TA, Nicolosi RJ, Handelman G, et al.Comparative effects of emu and olive oil on aortic early atherosclerosis and associated risk factors in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Nutrition Research. 2004;24(6):395-406. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2003.12.004Zanardo V, Giarrizzo D, Maiolo L, et al.Efficacy of topical application of emu oil on areola skin barrier in breastfeeding women.J of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. 2015;21(1):10-13. doi:10.1177/2156587215588653
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Jeengar MK, Kumar PS, Thummuri D, et al.Review on emu products for use as complementary and alternative medicine.Nutrition.2015;31(1):21-27. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2014.04.004.Lindsey R, Geier M, Yasbeck Y, et al.Orally administered emu oil decreases acute inflammation and alters selected small intestinal parameters in a rat model of mucositis.Brit J Nutrit.2010; 104(4):513-9. doi:10.1017/S000711451000084X.Vemu B, Selvasubramanian S, Pandiyan V.Emu oil offers protection in Crohn’s disease model in rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016 Feb 6;16:55. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1035-yRollmann DC, Novotny PJ, Petersen IA, et al.Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Processed Ultra Emu Oil Versus Placebo in the Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2015 Jul 1;92(3):650-8. doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.02.028.Attarzadeh Y, Asilian A, Shahmoradi Z, et al.Comparing the efficacy of Emu oil with clotrimazole and hydrocortisone in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: A clinical trial.J Res Med Sci. 2013 Jun;18(6):477-81.Wilson TA, Nicolosi RJ, Handelman G, et al.Comparative effects of emu and olive oil on aortic early atherosclerosis and associated risk factors in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Nutrition Research. 2004;24(6):395-406. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2003.12.004Zanardo V, Giarrizzo D, Maiolo L, et al.Efficacy of topical application of emu oil on areola skin barrier in breastfeeding women.J of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. 2015;21(1):10-13. doi:10.1177/2156587215588653
Jeengar MK, Kumar PS, Thummuri D, et al.Review on emu products for use as complementary and alternative medicine.Nutrition.2015;31(1):21-27. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2014.04.004.
Lindsey R, Geier M, Yasbeck Y, et al.Orally administered emu oil decreases acute inflammation and alters selected small intestinal parameters in a rat model of mucositis.Brit J Nutrit.2010; 104(4):513-9. doi:10.1017/S000711451000084X.
Vemu B, Selvasubramanian S, Pandiyan V.Emu oil offers protection in Crohn’s disease model in rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016 Feb 6;16:55. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1035-y
Rollmann DC, Novotny PJ, Petersen IA, et al.Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Processed Ultra Emu Oil Versus Placebo in the Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2015 Jul 1;92(3):650-8. doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.02.028.
Attarzadeh Y, Asilian A, Shahmoradi Z, et al.Comparing the efficacy of Emu oil with clotrimazole and hydrocortisone in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: A clinical trial.J Res Med Sci. 2013 Jun;18(6):477-81.
Wilson TA, Nicolosi RJ, Handelman G, et al.Comparative effects of emu and olive oil on aortic early atherosclerosis and associated risk factors in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Nutrition Research. 2004;24(6):395-406. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2003.12.004
Zanardo V, Giarrizzo D, Maiolo L, et al.Efficacy of topical application of emu oil on areola skin barrier in breastfeeding women.J of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. 2015;21(1):10-13. doi:10.1177/2156587215588653
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