What About Emu Oil?

I stumbled across this strange substance while in the dog park. Despite the expression, “What happens in the dog park stays in the dog park,” I am going to share my experience  with you.

There was a Doberman that had the most beautiful coat I had ever seen on a dog. This dog’s coat epitomized the word lustrous. The Dobe just stood out from the other canines. I asked the owner what she used to produce such a gorgeous coat. She said that she rubbed it with emu oil.

Not recognizing the word, I asked her to spell it. E-M-U. Okay, when I got home I went to work on the computer and learned from the Maple Springs Website: “Emu oil comes from the rendered and refined fat of the emu bird. The emu is similar to an ostrich, a member of the ratite family. Most of the birds are raised in the U.S. by emu farmers, and then sent to be rendered and refined. This type of farming is similar to cattle farming. One of the things we know about the emu is that they have wonderful immune systems. The emu can be close to death from injury and in a few days be good as new. It is this wonderful healing properties that they pass along through the emu oil. This is why the emu oil is good for so many things.”

The University of Texas medical school said that their tests indicated that emu oil was very good for the skin and is a “non pore clogging substance, helping the keep the skin healthy.”

The Properties of emu oil included it being a good source of Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9. When applied directly to the skin it will penetrate and deliver the health benefits of these essential fatty acids.

According to WebMD, “Some people apply emu oil to the skin for relief from sore muscles, aching joints, pain or inflammation, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, shin splints, and gout. It is also used topically to improve healing of wounds, cuts, and burns from radiation therapy; to reduce bruises and stretch marks; to reduce scarring and keloids; to heal surgical wounds caused by removing skin for skin grafts; to reduce redness due to acne; and to soften dry cuticles and promote healthy nails. Emu oil is also used topically athlete’s foot; diaper rash; canker sores; chapped lips; poor circulation; and skin conditions, including cancer, dry skin, dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, wrinkles or age spots. It is also used to protect skin from sun damage and to promote more youthful looking skin.

I ordered some of this fascinating stuff and tried it out. I have a poodle with curly hair so while I discovered it at the dog park, I don’t use it on my pooch.

Nonetheless, in the past year I can report that I am on my second pint of it and use it regularly.

Every time I shower I pour some drops in my hand and rub it into the base of my palms where the arthritis exists. I think I find some small relief from that.

Next I wipe some of it on my face after shaving as it allows my skin to rehydrate.

But wait, it gets better. Then, I wipe my oily hands over the soles of my feet. As I am a sandal-wearer six months a year, my soles get very tough. The emu oil provides a wonderful softening to them especially right after a shower when the pores are open. Before I used the emu oil my soles were callused with skin that was as brittle as old plastic. Pieces would break off in my hands. The emu oil has tenderized (and civilized) the soles of my feet. Perhaps lending new meaning for the term sole food.

Finally, in the last couple of weeks I started rubbing it on abrasions that I picked up on my ankles and legs while biking and I think it actually has a healing effect not unlike aloe.

Keep in mind this is anecdotal evidence. I am happy with my results. If you give it a try you may be happy with yours.

I picked it up from Amazon and paid around $16 a pint. This may sound pricey, but I get more than a month’s use out of it, so that is less than 50 cents a day.

The Maple Springs site offered an amazing list of possible benefits which you can check out here.

I have had a couple of bouts with skin cancer and subsequently used both emu oil and coconut oil to help heal the surgical scars. You can get full details at these links: How emu oil and coconut oil hid a facial scar and How to hide a facial scar -Chapter 2.

As always your comments are welcome. I would love to hear about your results and other possible uses.

Tony