What to Know About Emu Oil

Emu oil is made from the refined fat of emus, which are large flightless birds that are native to Australia.

Emu oil is rich in antioxidants like carotenoids and polyunsaturated fats. It has long been used in many cultures to heal wounds and treat common skin disorders. Emu oil is believed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.

This article will cover the claims made about emu oil, and whether there is any scientific evidence to back up using emu oil as a supplement.

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

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian nutritionist, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

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:

• Mucositis (inflammation of the digestive system)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Arthritis
• Skin health (e.g., rash, dry, flaky skin)
• Lowering cholesterol
• Hair growth
• Insect removal

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 with seborrheic 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 Are the Side Effects of Emu Oil?

Emu oil has not been thoroughly researched. It's not known whether emu oil interacts with other medications and supplements that are taken by mouth or applied to the skin.

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.

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 or lactating, 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 while breastfeeding. It found that putting emu-oil cream on the breasts' areolas daily reduced cracking and bleeding. However, the researchers did not evaluate if the emu oil was safe for nursing infants.

If you want to use a cream to protect your skin while you're breastfeeding, ask a lactation consultant or your healthcare provider. They can recommend options that have been proven to be safe and effective for you and your baby.

Dosage: How Much Emu Oil Should I Take?

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.

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.

Summary

Emu oil is a product refined from the fat from emus. Claims have been made about its uses for various health conditions, but research is lacking. As with other supplement products, emu oil is not approved by the FDA for any use.

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.