Emu oil
Emu oil is an oil rendered from the fat of the emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, a bird indigenous to Australia.[1][2] Emu oil and eucalyptus oil have been used historically in Australian aboriginal traditional medicine for fevers, coughs, minor pain, arthritic joints, bruises, cuts and sores.[3][4]
Unadulterated emu oil can vary widely in color and viscosity, but, assuming the emu has enjoyed a natural diet, is generally a yellow liquid.[5] It is composed of approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids. The largest component is oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Emu oil also contains roughly 20% linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and 1-2% linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid).
A handful of animal studies have suggested that emu oil, applied topically, may have anti-inflammatory properties or promote wound healing in various rodent models.[6][7][8] Emu oil is marketed and promoted as a dietary supplement with a wide variety of claimed health benefits.[9]
Commercial emu oil supplements are not standardized and vary widely in their potency.[8] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration highlighted emu oil in a 2009 article on "How to Spot Health Fraud."[9]
References [edit]
- ^ American Emu Association FAQ
- ^ Devantier, Alecia T; Carol, Turkington (2006). Extraordinary Jobs in Agriculture and Nature. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8160-5854-9.
- ^ Jenni Harrold and Joanne Whitby (1996). Aboriginal studies: Developing an awareness of Aboriginal people and their culture. R.I.C. Publications. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-86311-433-2.
- ^ Craig Weatherby and Leonid Gordin (1999). The arthritis bible: a comprehensive guide to alternative therapies and conventional treatments for arthritic diseases. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. pp. 149–149. ISBN 978-0-89281-825-9.
- ^ American Emu Association - Definition of emu oil grades
- ^ Yoganathan S, Nicolosi R, Wilson T, et al. (June 2003). "Antagonism of croton oil inflammation by topical emu oil in CD-1 mice". Lipids 38 (6): 603–7. doi:10.1007/s11745-003-1104-y. PMID 12934669.
- ^ Politis MJ, Dmytrowich A (December 1998). "Promotion of second intention wound healing by emu oil lotion: comparative results with furasin, polysporin, and cortisone". Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 102 (7): 2404–7. doi:10.1097/00006534-199812000-00020. PMID 9858176.
- ^ a b Whitehouse MW, Turner AG, Davis CK, Roberts MS (1998). "Emu oil(s): A source of non-toxic transdermal anti-inflammatory agents in aboriginal medicine". Inflammopharmacology 6 (1): 1–8. doi:10.1007/s10787-998-0001-9. PMID 17638122.
- ^ a b Kurtzweil, Paula (April 30, 2009). "How to Spot Health Fraud". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
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