This article was written for a trade show promotion, and represents an unofficial summary of many articles published in
trade journals.
EMU OIL - the Gift from Australia
To the Aborigine, the emu is a sacred bird. It gives them food, clothing and medicine. Ever since the bird was
introduced to alternative agriculture, we "scientific Americans" have been trying to prove what the Aborigines already
know: the oil has unusual properties.
Before the first studies were ever begun, emu breeders rendered the fat of the emu and experimented with it, Aborigine-
style. Consistent reports poured in, from people totally unknown to each other:
Used externally, the oil seemed to promote healing in cuts, scrapes, burns, sunburn, radiation burns, stings, and even
poison ivy. Massaged on joints or stiff muscles, it gave relief - reduction of swelling and pain.
Taken internally, a teaspoon or more a day (with an orange juice chaser), gave energy, reduced cholesterol, and
reduced the pain of arthritis.
Members of the American Emu Association began to pool their resources, and the studies began. Analysis (Auburn
University) showed the oil to be high in the essential fatty acids, Omega 3, 6, and 9. While somewhat parallel to flax
seed and fish oils, the proportions and the presence of the Omega 9 held new promise for reduction of inflammation.
Papers presented to the American Oil Chemists Society stated that the predominant fatty acid in emu oil is oleic acid.
Working with the AOCS, the American Emu Oil Standards Team set oil testing criteria for the industry. Texas A & M
became involved in "refining" the process. The University of Texas Medical School at Houston studied the oil, and
found it to be non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging). At Indiana University School of Medicine they determined that the oil was non-comedogenic, and showed no irritation on the skin.
Dr. Leigh Hopkins, working with the AEA team, compared the oil to human skin oil, finding them to be remarkably
similar, hence, the positive action of emu oil on our skin. Dr. William Code presented a paper to the AOCS on his work using emu oil as a transdermal, to carry local anesthetics into the skin. Scientists in Sydney and Adelaide, Australia,
showed the oil to be anti-inflammatory (anti-rheumatic) in rat models.
Currently, work is being done at the University of Massachusetts, under sponsorship of the AEA. (See previous
article.) Presently, hundred of products are being sold throughout the world, with emu oil as the only ingredient, or as
the prime additive. People everywhere are coming to know the benefits of the oil of the emu. And yet, we have only
scratched the surface in terms of potential development. This is a fledgling industry, on the verge of explosive growth.
For further information about the oil, and the industry, please contact the American Emu Association, or visit their
website at www.aea-emu.org
.
