What is emu oil for? If you are wondering what the emu is, we should explain that it is a flightless Australian bird very similar (only smaller) to the ostrich.
The use of emu oil is very old, dating back 40,000 years. The aborigines of this country and the surrounding islanders used it to treat pain (especially rheumatic), reduce inflammation of joints and heal wounds, burns and protect their skin from the wind and sun.
Aboriginal people are said to have introduced emu oil to European explorers in the 19th century and its use spread rapidly.
In the 20th century, American farmers began importing a few of these birds and raising them for meat, oil, and leather. Since then, emu oil has been used more widely for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
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What is emu oil used for: Benefits
What is emu oil used for? Moisturizes and protects the skin. Emu oil is a great huMoisturizing because it helps improve skin hydration and prevents water loss. Studies have also found emu oil to have penetration-enhancing effects.
Other studies suggest that emu oil is a useful treatment for dermatitis and eczema, and it has specifically been found to improve itching, erythema, and scaling associated with eczema of the scalp. Research shows that emu oil reduces swelling, providing relief from skin conditions associated with inflammation.»
However, emu oil not only helps keep skin moist, it has also been shown to help increase collagen production.
Collagen helps the skin maintain its elasticity, which in turn helps reduce the appearance of fine lines. In a 2015 study, women were asked to apply a pad coated with a combination of emu oil, caffeine, and vitamin K to just one of their eyes for four weeks. Eyes that had been treated with the emu blend had fewer lines, better elasticity, and a greater reduction in dark circles. It’s not so clear if the results can be attributed to the emu or the other ingredients.
Emu oil also has antioxidant properties, which can help counteract oxidative stress (and subsequent skin damage) caused by factors such as pollution, UV rays, and poor diet. This may be why it has been used historically as a natural form of sunscreen.
Emu oil is also biomimetic, meaning it has a very similar lipid profile to that found in human skin, making it one of the most powerful lipids we can apply topically to mimprove barrier protection.
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What is emu oil used for: Promotes hair growth.
As we mentioned above, emu oil can help with eczema, including scalp eczema, making it a great topical treatment for head-to-toe itching. Beyond that, some studies suggest that emu oil may also aid in hair growth.
Research in mice suggests that emu oil promotes the growth of new hair follicles without causing any adverse effects on the scalp or surrounding skin. While more research is needed to determine how effective emu oil is in promoting hair growth in humans, there is nothing wrong with massaging it into the scalp or using it as a natural moisturizing hair mask.
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What is emu oil used for: Relieves the sensitivity of the breasts.
Another reported benefit of emu oil: It can be an effective way to treat breast tenderness for new moms. While breastfeeding, some women report soreness in the nipples and areola, and emu oil creams have been shown to help moisturize and soften the skin of the nipple when used regularly.
However, emu oil has not been shown to be safe for babies, so any mother who decides to try it for sore nipples should wipe off the oil or cream before nursing, just to be on the safe side.
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What is emu oil for? Helps heal cuts and scrapes.
Remember how we said that Aboriginal people used emu oil to treat wounds and burns? Well, they were onto something.
While most of these studies have been done on animals (such as mice and guinea pigs), researchers say that emu oil’s ability to promote collagen synthesis and aid in keratinization (the process by which cells under the skin become hair and nails) results in an overall positive effect on wound healing. The fact that emu oil reduces inflammation probably doesn’t hurt either.
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What is emu oil for? Reduces bad cholesterol or LDL.
Compared to its topical applications, the benefits of consuming emu oil are less studied. That said, there is still some promising preliminary animal research related to GI issues (such as IBS) and cardiovascular health.
In one study with rats, emu oil was found to decrease intestinal inflammation, while another study found it to improve tissue damage associated with colitis. In addition to IBS, emu oil is being considered as a potential treatment option for other gastrointestinal conditions, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and NSAID enteropathy.
Emu oil can also help lower cholesterol. In a 2004 study, researchers found that hamsters consuming emu oil had significantly greater reductions in cholesterol levels compared to hamsters consuming other types of oil, such as coconut oil.
Also know Emu oil for scars, stretch marks, hair and more
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Contraindications and Side Effects of Emu Oil
Due to the increase in demand for emu oil, it is important to verify its origin and if it is not a poor quality imitation, since in that case they may be adding additives and chemicals that could have negative side effects or give less oil effect.
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