Emu Oil

Scientific Name(s): Dromaius novaehollandiae
Common Name(s): Emu

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 24, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

Emu oil is primarily used topically for its anti-inflammatory effects; however, clinical trials are lacking. Limited studies have evaluated topical applications of emu oil in burns and other dermatological conditions.

Dosing

Emu oil has most often been studied as a topical application, but clinical trials are lacking to determine dosing frequency or duration.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Clinical trials and case reports of adverse reactions are lacking.

Toxicology

Research reveals no information regarding toxicity of emu oil.

Source

The emu is 2 m tall, the second tallest member of the ratites group of flightless birds, which also includes the ostrich, rhea, kiwi, and cassowary. The birds are thought to have been introduced into the United States in the 1930s as zoo animals and are now bred for commercial use. The oil is obtained from subcutaneous and retroperitoneal fat via a maceration, centrifuge, and filtered process.Abimosleh 2012, Beckerbauer 2001

History

The Aboriginal people of Australia have used emu oil for centuries. The oil was traditionally collected by either hanging the emu skin from a tree or wrapping it around an affected area and allowing the heat of the sun to liquify the emu fat to enhance absorption or penetration into the skin. Emu oil was used medicinally to treat muscle and joint problems and a variety of skin conditions. Other purported medicinal uses include the treatment of psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. The oil has also been used for cooking, as well as for keeping leather supple.Abimosleh 2012, Rokicki 2000

Chemistry

Emu oil contains myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, elaidic, linoleic, linolenic, and eicosenoic fatty acids, with oleic acid being the main fatty acid (40% to 50%). Fatty acid content varies by sex of the animal and is also seasonally and dietary dependent. Lesser quantities of carotenoids, flavones, polyphenols, tocopherol, and phospholipids have also been identified in the oil.Abimosleh 2012, Beckerbauer 2001, Kim 2013, Minnaar 1997

Uses and Pharmacology

Interference with inflammatory cytokine production and antioxidant actions has been demonstrated in vitro.Abimosleh 2012

Anti-inflammatory

Animal data

Rodent models of arthritis have been used to demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects of topically applied emu oil. In 1 experiment, efficacy was rated as comparable to oral administration of ibuprofen 40 mg/kg.López 1999, Snowden 1997, Whitehouse 1998, Yoganathan 2003

Clinical data

There are no clinical data regarding use of emu oil as an anti-inflammatory agent, despite being traditionally used for this purpose.

Dermatology

Animal data

The efficacy of emu oil lotion and emu oil was examined in rodents after surgery. Promotion of wound contraction, epithelialization, ...