Emu oil: Difference between revisions
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'''Emu oil''' is an [[oil]] made from the fat of the [[emu]], ''Dromaius novaehollandiae'', a bird native to [[Australia]]. It has been used |
'''Emu oil''' is an [[oil]] made from the fat of the [[emu]], ''Dromaius novaehollandiae'', a bird native to [[Australia]]. It has been used historically by the [[Australian aborigines]] for the treatment of burns, wounds, bruises, and as a pain reliever for bone, muscle, and joint disorders. Emu oil is approximately 70% unsaturated [[fatty acid]]s. The largest component is [[oleic acid]], a mono-unsaturated [[omega-9 fatty acid]]. Emu oil also contains about 20% [[linoleic acid]] (an [[omega-6 fatty acid]]) and 1-2% [[linolenic acid]] (an [[omega-3 fatty acid]]). |
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A handful of studies have suggested that emu oil, applied topically, may have [[anti-inflammatory]] properties or promote [[wound healing]] in various [[animal testing on rodents|rodent model]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Yoganathan S, Nicolosi R, Wilson T, ''et al.'' |title=Antagonism of croton oil inflammation by topical emu oil in CD-1 mice |journal=Lipids |volume=38 |issue=6 |pages=603–7 |year=2003 |month=June |pmid=12934669 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Politis MJ, Dmytrowich A |title=Promotion of second intention wound healing by emu oil lotion: comparative results with furasin, polysporin, and cortisone |journal=Plast. Reconstr. Surg. |volume=102 |issue=7 |pages=2404–7 |year=1998 |month=December |pmid=9858176 |doi= |url=}}</ref> While there are no studies showing that emu oil is effective in humans, it is marketed and promoted as a [[dietary supplement]] with a wide variety of claimed health benefits. Commercially marketed dietary supplements are poorly standardized and vary widely in their potency.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Whitehouse MW, Turner AG, Davis CK, Roberts MS |title=Emu oil(s): A source of non-toxic transdermal anti-inflammatory agents in aboriginal medicine |journal=Inflammopharmacology |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=1–8 |year=1998 |pmid=17638122 |doi=10.1007/s10787-998-0001-9 |url=}}</ref> Such products are sometimes marketed deceptively; the [[U.S. Food and Drug Administration]] highlighted emu oil in a 2009 article on "How to Spot Health Fraud".<ref>{{cite web | publisher = [[U.S. Food and Drug Administration]] | url = http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/EmergencyPreparedness/BioterrorismandDrugPreparedness/ucm137284.htm | title = How to Spot Health Fraud | date = April 30, 2009 | accessdate = June 29, 2009 | first = Paula | last = Kurtzweil}}</ref> |
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Emu oil has been shown in studies to aid in reducing [[scar]] formation in healed burn wounds, muscle [[sprain]]s, and [[arthritis]] due to its strong [[anti-inflammatory]] properties.<REF> "Evaluation of Emu Oil in Lubrication and Treatment of Healed Burn Wounds," S. O’Banion, J. Griswold, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas. American Burn Association, March 18, 1998, Chicago, Illinois.</REF> Emu oil is naturally an [[anti-fungal]] substance, which means it is able to help treat ailments such as athletes foot, foot fungus, toe nail fungus, finger nail fungus and more.<REF> [http://www.emuoilnaturally.com/research.html]: Emu oil research and facts, retrieved April 2009.</REF> Emu oil's moisturizing properties also are able to relieve symptoms of eczema.<REF> [http://www.virginemu.com/research.html]: Emu oil Research as done by Virgin Emu Oil company</REF> |
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Emu oil is almost 100% [[triglyceride]] in nature, meaning that it is almost a completely neutral [[lipid]]. There is also a lack of [[phospholipids]], which explains emu oil's high penetrating qualities since the human skin is naturally phospholipid deficient.<REF> [http://www.viable-herbal.com/herbdesc1/1emuoil.htm]: Viable Herbal Solutions</REF> |
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With its natural anti-inflammatory properties, studies have shown emu oil to aid in the relief of arthritic pain.<REF> [http://www.proemu.com/emu-oil/3+Month+Study+Results+in+elimination+of+arthritic+pain+for+participants]:3 Month Study Results in elimination of arthritic pain for participants</REF> |
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It has also just recently been used to treat redness of the face and has claimed to have reduced unwanted pigmentation although this has not yet been professionally tested and recorded. |
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It has also lately become a popular treatment for the aftercare of [[tattoos]] and [[piercings]] <REF> [http://www.safepiercing.org/PDFs/Point31.pdf]: Official Newsletter of Professional Piercers, Winter 2004 Edition, Issue 31, Page 6</REF>, due to the purported healing properties, and in [[Stretching (body piercing)|stretching]] as both a lubricant and as aftercare. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 22:37, 29 June 2009
Emu oil is an oil made from the fat of the emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, a bird native to Australia. It has been used historically by the Australian aborigines for the treatment of burns, wounds, bruises, and as a pain reliever for bone, muscle, and joint disorders. Emu oil is approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids. The largest component is oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Emu oil also contains about 20% linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and 1-2% linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid).
A handful of studies have suggested that emu oil, applied topically, may have anti-inflammatory properties or promote wound healing in various rodent models.[1][2] While there are no studies showing that emu oil is effective in humans, it is marketed and promoted as a dietary supplement with a wide variety of claimed health benefits. Commercially marketed dietary supplements are poorly standardized and vary widely in their potency.[3] Such products are sometimes marketed deceptively; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration highlighted emu oil in a 2009 article on "How to Spot Health Fraud".[4]
References
- ^ Yoganathan S, Nicolosi R, Wilson T; et al. (2003). "Antagonism of croton oil inflammation by topical emu oil in CD-1 mice". Lipids. 38 (6): 603–7. PMID 12934669.
{{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in:|author=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Politis MJ, Dmytrowich A (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. PMID 9858176.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ 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.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Kurtzweil, Paula (April 30, 2009). "How to Spot Health Fraud". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
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