What Is So Special About Emu Oil?

Emu oil has been used for thousands of years by the Australian aborigines for the treatment of burns, wounds, bruises, and as a pain reliever for bone, muscle, and joints. Labs are currently analyzing the oil to determine how it works. Studies conducted have shown:

Emu Oil has highly trans-dermal capabilities. Emu Oil gets through skin, nails and hair. Skin is your body's largest organ. Its job is to keep foreign elements out of your system. Emu oil penetrates the skin only because it is so chemically similar. First it is comprised of almost 100% triglycerides (fatty compounds also called lipids); second none of the lipids contain phosphorus, and third a large number of these fatty compounds are oleic acid, also known as Omega 9. Your skin has abundant triglycerides and so recognizes the Emu Oils essentially similar nature. Being phosphorus deficient your skin blocks any compounds which contain phosphorus - Emu Oil's lack of the mineral means that blocking responses are not triggered (most petro based oils contain phosphorus); and finally Omega 9 in Emu Oil works as a carrier to encapsulate other ingredients and bring them through the skin.

Emu Oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown emu oil to aid in the relief of joint and muscle pain and inflammation. The potency of the anti-inflammatory effect from Emu Oil is similar to ibuprofen without the negative side-effects frequently common with non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or corticosteroid based anti-inflammatory medications.

One of the most impressive studies was one done by Drs. Whitehouse and Ghosh in Australia. Each of these clinicians has over 25 years of experience and published extensively on the evaluation and development of drugs used for arthritis. They applied straight emu oil over a 14 day period to participants with chronic pain due to arthritis, joint swelling and bone abrasion due to lack of cartilage. Day 1 showed 1% improvement, day 4 – 30%, day 5- 50%, day 11 – 82% and by day 14 - 100% pain reduction. Swelling was also measured. Day 1 – 2% improvement, day 6 – 22%, day 12 – 40%, and by day 14 – 100%.

Emu Oil appears to “fine tune” the body’s healing and reduces scarring. Emu oil contains eicosanoids, hormone like compounds that trigger your body to increase blood flow and oxygenation down to the cellular level. Eicosanoids also affect membrane and even cell permeability. This assists the body to bring in oxygen and new raw materials and take away toxins. Additionally, swelling of injured tissue brings in extra collagen and fibroblasts (connective tissue cells) which add to platelet aggregation and begin the scarring process. By keeping the pathways open emu oil speeds the healing process and reduces scarring.

These same processes appear to relieve symptoms of many inflammatory skin ailments like eczema, psoriasis and other dermatitis.

Emu Oil is biostatic. Bacteria, virus and fungus will not grow in emu oil. By using AEA certified oil you can feel comfortable that you are not bringing unwanted organisms to open and soft tissues like the inside of your mouth or an open wound.

Emu Oil has deep moisturizing properties. Emu Oil does more than just hydrate the skin – it delivers collagen, elastins, hyper-oxygenating eicosanoids and other nutrients to the deepest layers of tissue where new skins cells are created. This helps your skin regain lost elasticity and stimulate the collagen fiber network to regain tone and firmness. Studies have shown that emu oil applied twice a day for a 14 day period can thicken skin up to 30%, with an overall group average of 14%.

The remaining X-factor. As if all of these properties are not enough, there is still another enhanced healing and rejuvenation mechanism that renowned researcher and author Dr. Barry Sears has termed the "X" factor. It is not known if some particular unidentified compounds or specific ratio of compounds is creating enhanced healing. We will let you know when the researchers have more information on this unknown aspect of Emu Oil.