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S tu d y To Dete rm ine
If Em u O il Sh o wed
A nt i -I nf la mma to ry,
A nt i -A rth rit ic A ct ivit y I n
L ab o ra to ry A n ima ls
Dr. Peter Ghosh, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
Dr. Michael Whitehouse, University of Adelaide, Australia 1988
Study to determine if emu oil showed anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic activity in
laboratory animals. Reported results from their experiments indicated that "the
most potent formulation was achieved when methyl salicylate(wintergreen oil),
isopropanol and menthol were combined with emu oil" Apparently, a
"synergistic effect was occurring between the emu oil and the methyl
salicylate, for the anti-inflammatory activity of the combination was greater
than the sum of either component when used alone (with isopropanol)."
Mo istu rizin g an d Co sm et ic
P rop e rt ie s Of Em u O il
A Double Blind Study
Presented at the AEA national convention
in Nashville, Tennessee. August 1994
Alexander Zemtsov, M.D., M.S. Indiana University School of Medicine
Monica Gaddis, Ph.D. Ball Memorial Hospital
Victor Montalvo-Lugo, M.S. Ball Memorial Hospital
Summary
Cosmetic and moisturizing properties of emu oil were assessed in a double
blind clinical study. Emu oil in comparison to mineral oil was found overall to
be more cosmetically acceptable (p less than 0.05) Furthermore, it appears
that emu oil in comparison to mineral oil has better moisturizing properties,
superior texture, and lower incidence of comedogenicity, but probably
because of the small sample size these differences, were not found to be
statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Neither of the oils were found to be
irritating to the skin. Finally, emu oil fatty acid composition was studied by gas
chromatography and was found to have high concentration of nonpolar
monounsaturated fatty acids which may explain emu oil’s ability to penetrate
easily through the stratum corneum barrier.
Introduction
The emu, a large flightless bird, Dromaius novaehollandiae, is probably best
known for being on Australia’s coat of arms opposite the kangaroo. In the past
few years commercial emu breeding has become a multi-million dollar
industry in the United States, Australia, and other countries. Emu oil derived
from emu fat was being used by the Aborigines for healing and pain control
long before British ships landed on the eastern shores of Australia.
A number of Australian investigators (George Hobday, M.D., a dermatologist
and Peter Ghosh, Ph.D., FRSC at the University of Sydney) claimed that emu
oil has anti-inflammatory and skin penetrating properties. Recently the
Australian Department of health classified emu oil as a pharmaceutical
product1 and registered emu oil in the Therapeutic Goods Registry2. Finally
an official Australian government publication stated “the oil (emu) will find
uses in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries”. We performed an
extensive literature search (Medline, Index Medicus) and could not find a
single report in scientific peer reviewed literature dealing with either emu oil
and its cosmetic pharmaceutical properties of its composition1. A pilot double
blind study was conducted to assess cosmetic properties of emu oil – namely
its moisturizing and skin penetrating properties, texture and odor, and irritancy
and comedogenicity potential. The emu oil was compared in this study to
mineral oil, a synthetic oil that is widely used in the United States as an
emulsifier and lubricant in topical cosmetical and pharmaceutical
preparations.
Methods
Human Subjects
11 subject were recruited and completed the study (9 women and 2 men).
Mean age was 35 years (age range 25-52), 10 subjects were white Caucasian
and one subject was Hispanic. All had Fitzpatrick skin type 2 or 3 based in
history of response to UV radiation. All had healthy skin and people with
eczema and acne were specifically excluded from this study. Since both emu
and mineral oil can be purchased in the United States over the counter, no
human subject research permit was required of issued by the Texas tech
Human Subject Institutional Review Board.
Oil:
Emu oil for clinical study was imported from Australia (Emu Vertica, Thalgo
Holdings Pty. Ltd.). Both Australian emu and mineral oil were placed in dark,
numbered bottles by a pharmacist (Caprock Drugs, Lubbock, TX). Neither
human subjects or principal investigator knew which oil each subject was
using at what particular time. The code was not broken until all volunteers
completed the study and returned the questionnaire to the principal
investigators.
Oil Composition:
Fatty acid analysis by gas chromatograph was performed by Dr.. Margaret
Craig-Schmidt’s laboratory of Auburn University and the results were reported
in the AEA News September, 1994.
Protocol:
Prior to entering the study each subject was examined by a university based
dermatologist to make sure that none of the volunteers had eczema or acne.
The volunteers were instructed to use the first oil on their face and trunk twice
a day for 2 weeks. The human subjects were told to discontinue use of any
other lubricants. After 2 weeks of oil use the human subjects were briefly
examined by the principal investigator for signs of skin irritation or acne and at
that time were given a second oil. The pharmacist made sure that each
subject received both emu oil and mineral oil. At the end on the study each
subject completed the questionnaire and ranked on a 0 to 5 scale (5 excellent;
0 poor) how much they liked each oil. There were also asked to rank its
penetration/permeability, moisturizing properties, texture, and any side effects
(comedogenicity, odor, irritancy, etc.)
Statistical Analysis:
The data generated was in a created ranking scale format [0 (poor); 5
(excellent)] and was analyzed by a biostatistician utilizing the Wilcoxan
Signed ranking test.
Results
As shown in Table I, the emu oil overall ranking and permeability was found to
be clearly superior to mineral oil. These differences in skin
penetration/permeability and overall ranking were statistically significant (p
less than 0.05). It also appears that emu oil texture and moisturizing
properties as judged by the participants in the study were also superior to
mineral oil, but the differences cannot be considered statistically significant (p
greater than 0.05). The sample size was small (n=11) and it is very possible
that if more people participated in the study the clear cut statistical differences
in the oils texture and moisturizing properties would have been found.
When the participants in this study were asked which of the two oils they liked
better, all 11 subjects (100%) stated that they liked emu oil better (Table II).
Neither emu oil or mineral oil was found to be irritating to the skin (0%, Table
II). Finally, when the oils were applied to the face, 6 people (55%) and 2
people (18%)reported the mineral and emu oil respectively caused “pimples”,
(Table II).
Discussion
This pilot, a double blind crossover study, clearly indicated that emu oil may
become widely used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. We found
emu oil to be totally non-irritating, having excellent moisturizing properties,
cosmetically pleasing texture, and low incidence of comedoginicity. The most
intriguing properties of emu oil as far as cosmetic and pharmaceutical
industries are concerned is its apparent ability to penetrate the stratum
corneum barrier. The study of penetration of various substances through the
skin is an area of an active research and is obviously important from the
therapeutical and toxicological viewpoints. Iontophorisis3 , and liposome
preparations4,5 are actively studied as a means to increase cutaneous
bioavailability. Since most topical vehicles have an absorption rate of only a
few percent6 the drugs and other active ingredients combine with more
efficient drug carrier systems are of major interest to cosmetic and
pharmaceutical industries. As a matter of fact, liposome preparations
containing the anti-fungal agent econzole (econazole 1%; pevarly; cilag;
Schafflausen, Switzerland) and cosmetics with liposene base are now
available in the United States and Western Europe4,5.
Unfortunately, because of high cost and other technical problems neither
liposome or iontophorisis are now widely used in either cosmetic or
dermatological topical preparations3,4 . If indeed, as we report in this paper,
emu oil has superb skin penetrating properties, as judged subjectively by
participants in this study, and because of relatively low cost, emu oil should be
of major interest to dermatologists and cosmetic scientists as a
transcutaneous carier system. It would not be unreasonable to try to combine
emu oil with topical antifungals, steroids, retinoids, antihistamines,
anesthetics, antiangrogen, and immunosuppressive drugs to see if emu oil
improves cutaneous bioavailability.
Even prior to completion of this study a number of investigators became
aware of apparent penetrating properties emu oil. As was noted in the
methods section of this article, the composition of emu oil was studied by Dr.
Craig-Schmidt utilizing gas chromatography. The findings were that emu oil is
predominately composed of short chain monounsaturated fatty acids slowing
it to easily penetrate the stratum corneum. Another investigator utilizing thin
layer chromatography (TLC) found that emu oil is essentially free of
phospholipids thus enabling it to penetrate readily through skin (Allen
Strickland, personal communication).
We believe that this apparently first scientifically conducted study addressing
cosmetic and pharmaceutical properties of emu oil is very promising. We are
in the process of organizing in the United States a much larger multicenter
similar double blind study to confirm our findings. Furthermore, Dr. CraigSchmidt’s research group is in the process of conducting in-vitro
transmembraneous skin penetration studies with emu oil to determine its
transcutaneous permeability. We hope that this and the future study with emu
oil to determine its transcutaneous permeability. We hope that this and the
future study mentioned above will fully assess the cosmetic, moisturizing, and
pharmaceutical properties of emu oil.
Table 1 - The oil's ranking by the participants of the study
Statistically
Emu Oil
Mineral Oil
P
Significant
Difference
Median Range Median Range
Overall Ranking of the
5,000
(3-5)
3,000
(2,4)
0.020 Yes
4,000
(2-5)
3,000
(2-5)
0.540 No
Oil
Oil Texture
Skin
5,000
(1-5)
3,000
(1-5)
0.016 Yes
5,000
(1-5)
4,000
(1-5)
0.062 No
Permeability/Penetration
Moisturizing Properties
Table 2 - The ranking and side effects by the
participants of the study
Emu Oil
Mineral Oil
Oil Preference
11 (100%)
0 (0%)
Comedogenicity
2 (18%)
6 (55%)
Irritancy
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
References
1Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Health, Hosing and Community
Services, Certificate of a pharmaceutical Product No 92/0980
2AUST R 22759 in the Australian Register of Therapeutical Goods.
3Singh J, Mabach HI. Topical Iontophoretic Drug Delivery in vivo: Historical
Development, Devices, and Future Respectives. Dermatology 1993: 187:235238.
4Korting HC, Blechek P, schaefer-Korting M, Wendel A. topical liposome
drugs to come: What the patent literature tells us. A review, J Am Academy of
Dermatoloy 1991; 15:1068-1071.
5Schaefer-Korting M, Korting HC, Braun-Falco O. Liposome Preparations; A
step forward in topical drug therapy for skin disease: A Review, J Am
Academy of Dermatology 1989; 21:1271-1275.
6Wester RC, Maibach HI. Dermatopharmokinetics in clinical Dermatology.
Semin Dermatol 1983; 2:81-84
All correspondence should be addressed to: Alexander Zemtsov, M.D., M.S.,
Research Dept., Ball Memorial Hospital, 2401 University Ave., Muncie, IN
47303-3499. Phone (317)747-8458 of (317 741-1975. Fax (317)747-8459.
This work was supported by a grant from the American Emu Association,
Dallas, TX.
Fa tt y A cid A na lysis
of Emu O il
Margaret C. Craig-Schmidt, Ph.D.
Amanda Brown M.S.
Paul C. Smith, D.V.M., Ph.D. Auburn University
Emu oil has recently received attention for its possible therapeutic and
cosmetic benefits. The oil of the emu has been used for medicinal purposes
by the Aborigines of Australia for many years and is currently being used in
the cosmetic industry for its protective and softening effects of the skin. The
exact mechanism by which emu oil exerts these effects is not known.
Because several fatty acids are known to have potent physiological effect, it is
important to characterize emu oil with respect to its fatty acid composition.
Fatty acids are classified according to chain length and by the number of
double bonds, or points of unsaturation, in the chain. For example, palmitic
acid is a fatty acid with sixteen carbons and no double bonds; thus in scientific
nomenclature it is abbreviated as “16.0”. Because this fatty acid contains no
double bonds, it is termed a “saturated” fatty acid. Fatty acids with one double
bond (one point of unsaturation) are called “monounsaturated” fatty acids, and
those with two or more double bonds are called “polyunsaturated” fatty acids.
Oleic acid or 18:1 is a common monounsaturated fatty acid, and linoleic acid
or 18:2 is a common polyunsaturated fatty acid. Any natural fat contains a
mixture of all three types of fatty acids attached to a glycerol “backbone”.
These compounds are called triglycerides. If a fat contains triglycerides made
up of mostly saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic acid, then this fat is called
a saturated fat.
The health effects of different types of fatty acids are well established. For
example, saturated fat in the diet is known to raise blood cholesterol, but
monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are known to lower blood
cholesterol levels and thus reduce one’s risk for cardiovascular disease.
Some polyunsaturated fatty acids are called “essential fatty acids” because
they are necessary for the proper functioning of the body yet cannot be made
by the body. Humans must get these fatty acids from dietary sources. Linoleic
acid (18:2), an essential fatty acid for humans, is converted to arachidonic
acid (20:4) which serves as a precursor for the powerful hormone-like
compounds called “eicosanoids”. Eicosanoids serve normal functions in the
body; however, they are produced in excessive amounts in some disease
states such as arthritis. Concentrations of eicosanoids in the body can be
manipulated by drugs (such as aspirin), by the type of fat in the diet, and in
some cases, by fat administered in a topical manner.
Because there are no published scientific studies which have reported the
fatty acid composition of emu oil, a study was undertaken at Auburn
University to characterize the fatty acid composition of emu oil. The results
from this investigation help to explain the properties and possible benefits of
emu oil.
Ten samples of emu fat/oil were analyzed by gas chromatography. Two of
these were rendered samples. All but one sample was taken from the fat
depot on the back of the animal; the single sample was taken from the
abdomen. All samples were obtained from animals in the Southeastern United
States.
Results indicated that emu oil is highest in monounsaturated fatty acids, with
lower amounts of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (Figure 1). Oleic
acid (18:1) was found to be the major monounsaturated fatty acid in emu oil,
comprising over 40% of the total fatty acids (Figure 2). Much smaller amounts
(less than 5%) of the palmitoleic acid (16:1) were found.
Major saturated fatty acids in emu oil were palmitic acid (16:0) which
comprised approximately 20% of total fatty acids and stearic acid (18:0) at
8%. Linoleic acid (18:2) at 20% of the total was the primary polyunsaturated
fatty acid were observed.
In conclusion, approximately 70% of the fatty acids in emu fat are
unsaturated. This composition is consistent with current recommendations for
a “heart healthy” diet. The monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, is the major
fatty acid in emu oil. This fatty acid is a known enhancer for transport of
bioactive compounds into the skin, and thus, the fatty acid compositions
consistent with emu oil being very penetrating. This aspect of the oil is being
investigated in a second phase of the project.
Editors Note: Emu oil research dates back to 1987. However, most studies
have been proprietary. No emu oil analysis has been reported in medical of
scientific journals.
The AEA Research Committee sponsored this for public analysis. The results
will be published in Highlight of Agricultural Research, an Auburn University
publication, as well as scientific journals.
Do ub le B lind P la ceb o Co nt ro lle d St ud y Usin g
E mu O il And Min e ra l O il
Dr. Thom Leahey
Arthritis Clinic
Ardmore, Oklahoma 1995
Volunteers remained on any medicine they were using. Of those testing the
emu oil 58% reported a significant reduction in pain, morning stiffness and
swelling. Twelve percent of those using the placebo reported results.
Proposed-Three month study, 500 participants diagnosed with arthritis in their
hands. Using a dynamometer detect changes in the participant's gripping
strength. Also test the sensitivity and number of tender and swollen joints.
Volunteers must not take any arthritis medication for at least one month prior
to the study.
E va lua t io n Of Emu O ils
Fo r B en ef icia l Eff ect s To
A lle via te Bo th L o ca l & Dist a l
P a in & I nf lamma t ion
Dr. Michael Whitehouse
University of Adelaide, Australia 1996
Principal findings consisted of (1) Emu oil varied considerably in their ability to
suppress the arthritic inflammation; (2) Some oil samples were particularly
effective in suppressing development of the rat polyarthritis; (3) Their antiarthritic activity was enhanced by facilitating skin penetration using
known/novel penetration enhancers, and (4) Potent concentrates could be
prepared by solvent extraction and other fractionation procedures which were
low in Triglycerides, contained a range of active molecules and under some
conditions, consistently prevented development of the rat polyarthritis (in
contrast to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs). Their findings also
confirmed other evidence which suggested that different emu oils possessed
different levels of potency.
E mu Cream A ssists L id oca in e
Local Anesthetic Absorption Through Human Skin
(Excerpts) 88th AOCS Meeting, May 1997
Ratite Oils: Processing and Applications
Presented by Dr. William Code
Lidocaine is probably the most common used local anesthetic. For those of
you with an organic chemistry of biochemistry background, it’s an amide. An
amide local anesthetic is a much safer agent to use; as it is less likely to
cause an allergic reaction. In fact, until a few years ago it was reportable if
you got an allergic reaction to an amide local anesthetic.
The other groups are the esters and are much more likely to give you a
reaction because they contain para-amino-benzoid-acid (PABA) which a lot of
us have been sensitized to in our sunscreens and other products.
Lidocaine is also reasonable in cost and readily available. It’s the most
understood local anesthetic and a prototype in general.
Most ideas aren’t new ideas. The concept of emu oil as being useful for any
number of things primarily originated from the people who have used it for
many centuries. Actually, some of the oldest people on Earth, as far as the
time that they’ve been here, are the Australoid race, or the Australian
Aborigines.
The problem I wanted to address as something to thing about is the problem
with punctures in the skin of planned-for-needle insertion. The obvious one
that comes to mind to an anesthesiologist is to start an intravenous drugs. We
want to know in a few seconds whether the anesthetic is working or not.
Vaccination is an interesting example. In the last few months, all of the postsecondary students in British Columbia were vaccinated for measles after an
outbreak in Vancouver. It’s a large group because the hepatitis B and the
German measles vaccines, of course, are given to the early preteens and
that’s often a group that we recognize, certainly, as anesthesiologists. As
young people, particularly in the preteen and early teen years, that can get
very anxious and upset about an injection. If something were available to
minimize that trauma, life could be a lot simpler for public health nurses and
other personnel.
Suturing of wounds is always a tough consideration – the decision is whether
to put the local anesthetic in, and make two or three holes, or just go straight
ahead and suture with a tiny needle. If you had a relatively sterile entity that
could numb it either before the injection with the needle, or with regard to the
wound itself, then you might be a lot further ahead.
Laser therapy typically is done with injection and can be quite painful in some
parts of the body, as most of you are aware, especially the pain of the hand or
the base of the foot.
The traditional over-the-counter preparation in both Canada and the U.S. is
EMLA cream, which stand for eutectic mixture of local anesthetics. It has
lidocaine in it and another agent called prilacaine. It doesn’t work as well as
I’d like it to. It has a relatively slow action, a minimum of 45 minutes, so that
requires pre-planning. If you’re going to see somebody in an operating room
suite, it literally has to be put on by someone at your suggestion beforehand,
or you have to get the parent to purchase it at home and put it on. Do they put
it on the right place? Do they put it on in the right amount? How does it
proceed from there? Unfortunately now, many pediatric institutions are
withdrawing or reducing their use of the cream because it’s been somewhat
erratic as to whether it’s actually served a purpose or not. It’s often built up
impressions and potential feelings, but sometimes those have been very
disappointed in the actual use thereof.
The emu substance used in this particular pilot study was what I call a cream,
the thick version of the refined product versus the clear oil.
What did we test? We created two mixtures that looked, for intents and
purposes to people observing them, the same. Quite honestly, if they would
have tasted them, they would have had a considerable difference because all
of the local anesthetics are very bitter. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell
when you’ve got one in your mouth. As any of you know who have ever had a
local anesthetic sprayed in your mouth, for a sore throat of whatever, almost
all of them are very bitter.
Anyway, our substance was emu cream and spearmint oil. We use the
spearmint oil for two reasons: the relatively positive scent it imparts to most
people and it has the advantage that it may enhance absorption as well. Our
second preparation was emu cream of the same batch, Canadian emu oil and
spearmint oil again, with lidocaine.
Those were then applied to two sites on six people. The tow sites were both
chosen as the same and that’s in the ventral distal foreman, that is on part of
your wrist which hardly ever has any hair on it. You can start intravenous
there. Usually, they’re not your large veins, but they work really well and
they’re exquisitely tender – therefore, good site to test if you were able to use
it. The mixture was applied on both forearms on a two-inch square sites, and
then covered with something called Opsite, Tegaderm, or one of the other
proprietary units which are a lot like Saran Wrap with a sticky surface around
it.
The function of the cover is twofold. First of all, you increase the warmth and
moisture in the area and that might make a difference in penetration. Also, it
usually permits an increased concentration crossing across the skin before it’s
rubbed off or taken away. After twenty minutes, that cover was removed and
residual cream was wiped away. The amount of residual cream left is usually
diminished over a time frame.
We then did two major tests on the individuals. The common one we used
initially was ice. That’s because in my practice in the operating room. I found
that if you can check with an ice cube where people can tolerate the ice cube,
and not tell when they’re going to have sharpness from the incision with the
cold hard steel knife. Then, of course, we used pinpricks because most
people were kind of intrigued with the idea that this actually made any
difference. Because each individual had the substance A or B in each
instance, and ; correspondingly, the observer of the ice and pin pricks was
also blinded.
We got fairly simple results in that there was a reduced sensation noted in
only one of the two arms, one skin site only. Also, fortunately the one with the
reduced sensation had been treated with mixture B, which was the emu
cream, the spearmint, and the lidocaine combination.
That’s something that might be vary – a larger size might make a difference.
You might get a difference too, if you went on other areas which may have
more thickened skin.
In the discussion, this has to be done with co-called consistent, proven pain
stimulus. The pain and temperature, just for those that aren’t as comfortable
with the physiology, are virtually teted by the same thing. What I mean is,
acute sharp pain, and warm and cold sensations, tend to be affected and
carried by the came fibers and the same components of the spinal cord. It’s
not that same as the burning of dull pain that starts after a few seconds. That
in a different type of pain fiber again.
When we’re talking about the next step, the clinical trial, we’ll need to start
with adults. Where we want to use it is in children, but typically, you can’t have
much success with the groups within the hospitals discussing the study unless
it’s been proven on adults.
Of course, the million dollar, multinational question if “Will emu oils work?”
“Which ones will work better?” “Is there a particular feature in emu oil that
does work better?” I know that people have tried local anesthetics on their
own, and local anesthetics in mineral oil. Whether they’ve tried it in pure oleic
acid, I don’t know.
What’s the potential use in animals? I feel certainly there is a good possibility
in some of the thinner skinned animals. I think of horses, particularly, and
probably dogs where you might be able to apply the cream, and not require
near as much sedation of other entities.
In general, we need more study with design and data acceptable for
publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
E va lua t io n of Em u O il
I n Lu b rica t ion & Tre atm en t
of Hea led B u rn W ou nd s
S. O’Banion, J. Griswold,
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas;
American Burn Association, March 18, 1998. Chicago, Illinois.
Compiled from research by Harner Burn Center
AEA began working with Dr. John Griswold, Director of Timothy J. Harnar
Burn Center (affiliated with the Texas Tech University Medical Center in
Lubbock) during the first quarter of 1995. We agreed to a four-six month study
to analyze the potentially effective involvement of emu oil in the healing
process of burn wounds.
Healing burn wounds are painful and pose many difficulties for the recovery of
a burned patient. Inflammation, lack of moisture, and wound sensitivity are
often cited as impediments to daily activities and therapy. Current emollients
vary in their ability to penetrate skin and decrease sensitivity and associated
pain. Adequate lubrication aids the healing process by providing moisture in
areas where sebaceous glands are depleted or currently dysfunctional.
Inflammation is the normal response to healing of a burn wound. This
inflammation also causes scar tissue to form. Approximately 2.5 million
people seek medical attention of burn injuries each year. Virtually all require
some type of lubricant application during their recovery. This provides a large
segment of the population with potential need for an emu oil product.
In a letter received from Dr. Griswold by the American Emu Association in
January, 1997, he said, “We now have 10 patients with appropriate wounds
who have completed at least initial evaluation of approximately nine months
that could be compared in an treatment/control fashion in the same patient.
This required wounds that were completely separate in opposite sides of the
body yet in areas that would heal similarly in order to appropriately compare
the emu oil versus a placebo. Two important results from evaluation of the
data are:
1. Comments from patients almost unanimously favored emu oil as an end
result and during application.
2. There was a unanimous difference noted in photographs taken of the
wounds as far as reduction in scarring and inflammation done by three
blinded observers as to which was emu and which was a control wound area.
This difference was statistically significant.
We are in the process of providing you more in-depth details as to the
complete study, patient demographics and results.”
During the American Burn Association meeting on March 18-21, 1998, a
poster presentation was made on the completed study. The presentation was
entitled; Evaluation of Emu Oil in Lubrication and Treatment of Healed Burn
Wounds. Accredited authors were M. Penturf, PhD., RD; S. O’Banion, RPh;
and J. Griswold, MD.
The full and complete abstract presented to the American Burn Association
reads, “Emu oil has been reported to have significant anti-inflammatory
effects, and has been used both in cosmetics and therapeutic vehicles. This
experiment was conducted to evaluate emu oil as a lubricant as a aid in
reducing scar formation in healed burned wounds. Ten patients were
evaluated in a randomized double blind study for a minimum of 6 months.
Patients served as their own control by utilizing bilateral wound areas for
application of emu oil (New Discoveries, Inc. Florence, MS) and the placebo
lubricant on independent sites respectively patients were instructed to apply
both lotions daily on an as-needed basis. During scheduled out-patient clinic
visited, patients’ wounds were evaluated by the Vancouver Scar Assessment
Scale. Photos were taken on each clinic visit. Treatment ranged from 195 to
385 days before discontinuation. LL of the patients were men, ranging in age
from 24-63 years. Per scar assessment, significant differences were noted in
pigmentation and pliability (p less than 0.02). There were no differences noted
in vascularity and height of the healed wound, (=0.08). Pictures were scored
by a four person blinded panel on pigmentation, scar maturation and general
health of the skin. Emu treated areas healed significantly better (p less than
0.02) than control in photo analysis.
Statistics were calculated by analysis of variance, means were separated with
the F-protected predicted difference test. The results of the pilot study are
promising, however, additional research is needed to further elucidate any
therapeutic qualities of the oil.”
Now that the study has been presented in a peer-reviewed context, the
abstract can be cited in research studies. Proper citation id “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.
In closing, because the study was thought to be ground breaking at the time,
our expectations were high. This study now pales in comparison to current
experiences of the benefits of emu oil in wound healing.
I nf lue n ce of E mu O il
o n S kin Th ickne ss
I n O ld e r I nd ividu a ls
By: Dr. Leigh Hopkins
From presentation given at AOCS Ratite Oil session,
May 1998, Chicago Illinois
As we age, there are a number of issues that set us up for complications in
our daily lives. There is a change in our skin thickness, so we are always
interested in that and looking to change some of that. There is loss of
elasticity and of the adherence to deep tissue – some of that sagging that you
get is due to this. Langerhans cells are also decreased, and so
immunocompetence is declining with age, and we are more prone to skin
infections. There is also probably a decline in that ability of the skin to
synthesize lipids, so this is the principal benefit we are aiming for when we
apply oils. Skin dryness also increases with age.
The consequence is that there is a loss of the integrity of the skin, and then a
decline in the ability to repair this. You are also at a greater risk for insults to
the skin/body.
Dr. Hollick has done some studies with mice, applying emu oil to their skin
with corn oil as the negative control. Epidermal growth thickness and, believe
it of not, hair growth increased. His comments were that there was increased
thickness although I don’t know what that number was, and 80% of resting
hair follicles were “charged”. The bottom line is, you have to have a hair
follicle for it to be rejuvenated. Emu oil will not make hair follicles.
Dr. Pugliese, last year, did another study on skin thickness using ratite oils
(ostrich, rhea, and emu), with retinoic acid (Retin-A) as the positive control
and mineral oil as the negative control. There were probably 4-5 mice per
group. The findings from that mouse study was that the Retin-A gave marked
hyperplasia. The ratite oils gave anything from mild hyperplasia to the mosaic
effect seen with Retin-A. The mineral oil, to out chagrin perhaps, also gave a
postive response. But this is because it is an irritant, and it gives a different
hyperplasia to the response you see with Retin-A. We also looked at fish oil
and chicken oil. These did not demonstrate any topical activity.
The next study that Dr. Pugliese did for us was to take a look at elderly
individuals and see what their response was to the topical application of emu
oil. So we recruited 8 people. In retrospect, there is a little problem here since
they were unbelievably healthy Mennonites. These people, then, were a little
unusual. The average age was 72. We did throw in one unusual patient who
was 38, who had scleroderma, so she lowered the average age. The average
age would have been 77 otherwise, and there were 4 patients that were over
80, or at least claimed to be. I didn’t check birth certificates or anything, but
these church Mennonites cannot lie, so we had to accept this. They were
instructed to apply emu oil at least nightly (but more often if they wanted to) to
the back of the non-dominant hand. That is what we measured to skin
thickness on. The study was 6 weeks in duration.
Most of the mice studies had been of about a 5-day duration. I was always a
little concerned about what you can do to the skin of a newborn in just 5 days,
and how applicable that would be to humans. I think you would probably need
a longer time frame.
This (SLIDE SHOWN) is sort of a summary of the 8 patients, looking at the
summation of the epidermis and papillary dermis changes. There is a huge
variation in skin thickness between individuals, so if I just gave you the raw
numbers, it becomes a little tricky. That’s why you need to look at the relative
change. (percent change). Let me point two out. Patient 6 is the young lady in
the group who had the scleroderma. There was essentially no response. I was
looking for a miracle cure for scleroderma, and this study suggests that it’s not
emu oil. And this other individual with zero change was an individual who
claimed he was 84. He was what you would call “ham hands.” They were so
big he could not purchase gloves. I think he plowed with his hands. They were
the hardest hands I’ve ever seen, and when you put emu oil on them it would
just dissipate right away. So I thought this could be interesting. But maybe he
needed quarts of emu oil, instead of the two ounces that we gave. He had no
change. So there are limits, and he could have been an individual that did not
follow the protocol as closely as the others. Anyway, his hands were different.
The changes are of the order of 9.9 to 10.6%, depending on which portion of
the skin you looked at. Combined, there was an 8% increase in skin thickness
from 6 weeks of application of pure emu oil.
Most of the other products that I’ll be talking to you about in later sessions are
formulation, looking to make enhancements. If you haven’t tried emu oil, it’s of
course grease. It depends on how interested you are in applying grease
anywhere – to your hair, to your hands, etc. Formulations that take some of
that greasiness with probably be important to us.
I will elaborate more later about the fatty acid roles. The fatty acids are
probably what contribute more to the changes. I’ll give more details in the next
talk.
Here are some slides to show you what the scans look like (SLIDES
SHOWN). This section right up here is the epidermis, and this software
program within the equipment allows you to determine the thickness changes.
This area in here is the papillary dermis. You can look at density, and there
are a number of different measures that you can follow with this type of
equipment, all depending on the internal software for those interpretations.
(end of skin thickness part of talk)
FOOTNOTE: In response to the question of whether skin thickness change
was measured at the beginning and at the end of the study, or between the
two hands (one with emu oil applied, the other without), Dr. Hopkins said that
only skin thickness of the emu-oil-treated hand was measured – first at the
beginning of the study, then at the end.
E mu O il
A nt i -I nf la mma to ry
Anti-Inflammatory & Therapeutic Properties of Emu Oil
by University of MA - Lowell, Robert Nicolosi Ph.D. (2000)
Introduction and Specific Aims:
Emu oil has been reported to have significant anti-inflammatory and
therapeutic properties. It's claimed that emu oil reduces skin swelling,
promotes wound healing and alleviates musculoskeletol pains, when used as
an external application.
Previous studies have looked at evaluating the anti-inflammatory properties
under experimental conditions, using mice as experimental animals. They
found that the auricular swelling induced by 2% croton oil was significantly
reduced in the high dose (5 ml) emu oil group at 6 hours, when compared to
the controls. This led to the conclusion that emu oil had this beneficial antiinflammatory property on selected sites.
The potential effect of emu oil on other tissues such as skin was not studied
under in vivo conditions. It's postulated that emu oil may have similar antiinflammatory properties in other areas of the body as well. Though it has been
established that emu oil has this property, the mechanism of action is not wellunderstood or studied in detail.
During an inflammatory process, depending the severity and the cause, the
defense mechanism of the body responds in multiple ways. The cardinal signs
of inflammation are; rubor (redness), calor (increased heat), tumor (swelling),
dolor (pain) and functio laesa (loss of function). Different signs manifest in
different degrees and ways. Cell biology studies reveal that this complex
reaction is brought forward by a group of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Inflammation is the body's reaction to invasion by an infectious agent, antigen
challenge or even physical damage. This inflammatory process is actively
orchestrated by the cytokines, IL-1a, TNFa and IL-6.
In this proposed study, we plan to look into the anti-inflammatory and
therapeutic properties of emu oil on both auricular (ear) and cutaneous
inflammation in male CD-1 mice, induced topically by application of 2% croton
oil. In addition, this study is designed to measure the different cytokines levels
and to assess whether there is any association between the cytokines levels
and the anti-inflammatory effect. It's essential to identify and understand the
mechanism of action of emu oil on inflammation.
Preliminary Studies:
To evaluate and measure the levels of different cytokines, a preliminary study
was conducted in ten animals. IL-1a, TNF a and IL-6 are considered to be the
predominant pro-inflammatory cytokines, in the family of interleukins that play
a significant role in inducing any inflammatory response. Inner surface of right
auricles (ears) of CD-1 mice were exposed to croton oil followed by
application of emu oil at one hour. Animals were sacrificed at different time
points: 2, 4, 7 and 9 hours post croton oil application. Two animals served as
untreated controls. Exposed and unexposed ears were harvested and
weighed at time of sacrifice and frozen in liquid nitrogen and saved at -85
degrees for further analysis. Blood samples were drawn from the heart and
smears made for differential counts, to evaluate whether there are any
systemic reactions to this inflammatory induction. Serum was harvested from
the blood and saved for cytokines levels evaluation.
Detection of mouse interleukins and other cytokines from tissue samples is
done in vitro, by Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay(ELISA) method. This
is an antigen, antibody reaction and it's a quantitative determination of
cytokines in mouse serum or tissue extracts (homogenized ear tissue). ELISA
kit wells (Biosource, CA) coated with specific antibody are treated with sample
sera or tissue extract. After a series of incubations and washing, the reaction
is colorimetrically measured. The intensity of colored product is directly
proportional to the concentration of the cytokine in the original specimen.
Frozen ears were digested in a tissue homogenizer containing lysis buffer.
This process releases the cytokines from the cells. The extract was used to
detect the levels of cytokines under consideration, measured by ELISA.
From this preliminary study and the ELISA results, it was concluded that at 56 hours post exposure to croton oil, the predominant cytokine responsible for
this inflammatory action is IL-1a. The emu oil mediated its' action primarily by
suppressing the pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-1a. The other two cytokines,
TNF a and IL-6 do not seem to play a significant role in elucidating this
inflammatory action during this period.
Comparison of photographs taken at different time points and comparative
measurements of auricular thickness and ear plug weights, strongly support
the earlier findings that the anti-inflammatory properties of emu oil was
greatest around 6 hours.
Materials and Methods:
Following this preliminary experiment, 34 male CD-1 mice weighing 25 to 28
grams were obtained from Charles River Laboratories ( Wilmington, MA) and
housed in polycarbonate cages and given commercial food and water ad
libitum for 15 days before the commencement of the study. On the day of the
experiment, body weights ranged from 29 to 32 grams. Animals were cared
for, as per the guidelines set forth by the 'The Guide' and the Institutional
Animal Care and Use Committee.
Experimental Design:
Mice were randomly assigned to three groups; Control group - untreated
(n=11), olive oil control group (n=11) and emu oil treatment group (n=14).
Animals were anesthetized with a combination of ketamine (100mg/ml) and
xylazine (20mg/ml). Dosage: Ketamine/Xylazine 87mg/kg-13mg/kg IM.
Auricular inflammation was induced by topical application of 2% croton oil to
the inner surface of the right auricle. One hour later, the assigned treatment
(untreated group, olive oil control group and emu oil treatment group) was
carried out to each group. Dorsal skin area was clipped before the application
of croton oil to the skin site. Similar treatment was carried out as for the
auricles. The left ear and the left cutaneous area remained untreated and
served as noninflamed controls.
Auricular thickness was measured prior to exposure of croton oil using
micrometer calipers. Photographs were taken to illustrate the degree of
inflammation and the treatment responses seen in each group. Animals were
sacrificed at 6 hours post application of emu oil and the thickness of the pinna
measured again. Uniform size areas were punched from the treated and
control sites (ears and skin) and weighed. At the time of sacrifice, blood
samples were drawn from the heart. Blood smears were made for differential
cell counts. Serum was harvested from the blood and saved for further
cytokine analysis.
Results:
Application of 2% croton oil induced observable hyperemic inflammation and
swelling in the auricles of CD-1 mice. Photographic evidence clearly illustrates
this phenomenon. On the cutaneous site, no detectable hyperemia, swelling
or inflammation was seen. There was edematous swelling in the right auricles
and the magnitude of swelling was calculated as the weight difference
between the right (inflamed) and the left (noninflamed) uniform earplugs. Pretreatment and post-treatment thickness measurements of auricles show a
significant difference in both the control and oil control groups, indicating that
there was no anti-inflammatory effect in these groups. In the emu oil group,
the thickness measurements (pre and post) were not significantly different.
This showed that emu oil was able to reverse the inflammatory process
induced by croton oil. It is also well supported by the reversal of hyperemia,
compared to the control groups, as seen in the photographs ( ….. )
Comparison of weights of uniform ear plugs from left and right ears show that
in the emu oil group there was very little difference in weight. In the control
groups, the difference was very significant (statistical data)
ELISA results from serum indicate that there was no significant difference
seen between the control group and the emu oil group. This indicates that the
inflammatory action is more local than systemic. We expect to see significant
correlation between the anti-inflammatory process and the cytokine levels
from the excised ear tissues, indicating that there is suppression of the
predominant pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1a by emu oil application. (
Complete results will be available in three weeks time)
Discussion:
As shown by other investigators, application of 5ul of emu oil at 5-6 hours post
croton oil exposure significantly reduced the degree of inflammation in the
auricles of CD-1 mice. The inflammatory process reverses itself in 24 hours, if
left untreated. The natural host defense actions and mechanisms of the body
bring about this reversal process. This is a complex phenomenon involving
leukocyte cell migration, attachment of definitive cells to vascular endothelium
and the movement of endothelial cells. Neutrophils appear early in the sites
where there is acute inflammation and this is in part controlled by cytokine
induction. In this study, we looked at the possible relationship and interaction
between the different cytokines and the anti-inflammatory process and how
emu oil mediates its' anti-inflammatory action.
Final analysis of the cytokine evaluation results will lead us to conclude the
hypothesis, that the anti-inflammatory effect of emu oil is directed towards the
pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1a.
On the cutaneous site, there was no inflammation seen to the exposure to
croton oil. This may be because the dorsal skin area differs histologically to
the auricular site, having additional subcutaneous layers. It is possible that
injecting the causative agent subcutaneously may induce a detectable
inflammatory response.
L oo kin g int o Emu O il
Looking into Emu Oil
by Dr. Frank Orthoefer - ACH Food Companies
The theme of the 2001 AEA Symposium was “….Meet a new Frontier….Catch
the Spirit.” The new frontier was the opportunities identified in recent research
on the biological properties of emu oil. This research targeted properties some
already use to promote emu oil but evaluated in valid, controlled, quantifiable
scientific studies. The report by the principal investigator on cholesterol
lowering, anti-inflammatory and transdermal characteristics of emu oil served
to validate to the scientific community that a new oil is available having
functional and pharmaceutical properties.
Previously producers and marketers have relied principally on anecdotal or
testimonial disclosures on the benefits of emu oil. Healing, penetrating, antiaging descriptions have been used to promote our product. While perhaps
actual, none have been based on characteristics proven by scientific studies.
Few results until now have been reported in the scientific, peer reviewed
literature that lends credibility to these often seen claims. Data has been
developed that will pass the test of scientific scrutiny. Future efforts are
targeted to reach the scientific community and eventually the users of this oil.
The principle investigator, Dr. Robert Nicolosi, University of Massachusetts,
reported on animal trials that showed cholesterol lowering, anti-inflammatory
and transdermal properties of emu oil. Dr. Nicolosi was selected to perform
the emu oil studies because of his widely recognized publications on
vegetable oils, sterols and lecithin. He has published more than 150 peer
reviewed papers in many of the noted journals on nutrition.
Dr. Nicolosi holds teaching and research positions at the University of
Massachusetts. He has been involved in identifying and quantitating the
biological and physiological effects of various oils such as rice, corn fiber,
sunflower, soybean and others. Dr. Bob is most noted for his identification of
the active ingredients in oils having cholesterol-lowering effects. Illustrating
the reluctance to accept claims for this oil, even Dr. Nicolosi (Dr. Bob)
expressed doubts about the possible outcome in these trials. After all, isn’t
this just another animal fat being “packaged” with other “snake oils.
” The standard method to assay for cholesterol lowering activity is to feed
animals a high cholesterol diet then to add the test material to the diet and
determine serum cholesterol over a defined time (2 weeks, 4 weeks, etc.). Dr.
Nicolosi fed hamsters a hypercholesterolemic diet followed by inclusion of
emu oil. The emu oil fed was either a crude rendered oil or a fully processed
oil. The results were incredible with emu oil reducing total cholesterol over
30%. Most of the reduction occurred in the bad cholesterol (low density
lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol -25%). Serum cholesterol is a major risk factor
for heart disease and the leading cause of death in the U.S. It is essential that
people make changes in lifestyle and diets to lower their cholesterol.
Cholesterol lowering drugs are the major pharmaceutical products sold. Emu
oil may be a very attractive alternative.
Inflammation is easily seen but more difficult to quantify. We’ve all seen how
some people react very strongly due to contact with an irritant while others
show little effect. In our trials the inflammatory response was quantitated
using a standard irritant applied to the ear of mice. Croton oil (2%) is the
standard irritant and the degree of inflammation or anti-inflammation was
determined by measuring auricular (ear) swelling and the weight of a plug
taken from the ear. Swelling of tissue is a primary indication of inflammation.
After the croton oil application (3, 6, 9, or 24 hrs.), emu oil was applied to the
same area as the irritant. The thickness and earplug weights were then
determined. The results were again “incredible.” The degree of inflammation
was significantly reduced between 42% and 71% in the emu oil treated mice.
The cytokines or those circulatory compounds produced as a result of
inflammation, were also reduced significantly (-83% interleukin -1 and –66%
tumor necrosis factor).
Several human and animal diseases are probably the result of inflammation.
These include arthritis and vascular diseases. Treatment is often difficult but
topical application has been explored. Substances that pass through the skin
are needed. The claimed transdermal characteristics of emu oil were
evaluated by topical application on hamsters of emu oil containing delta
tocopherol. Different combinations of emu oil and tocopherol were evaluated
(1:1, 5:1 and 10:1). These were applied to the shaved, dorsal surface of
hamsters. Blood samples were taken at 1 hour, 1 day, 2, 3 and 7 days and
submitted for plasma analysis of the tocopherol. The different dilutions of the
tocopherol with emu oil showed a dose/response relation between plasma
tocopherol and concentration. Emu was found to be transdermal carrying the
tocopherol through the skin into the blood. When a long chain fatty acid,
docosahexenoic acid (C22:6), was incorporated into emu oil, a similar transfer
to the blood was seen. Together, these trials showed statistically that emu oil
is transdermal and can be utilized for transdermal delivery. The component of
emu oil that brings about the transdermal delivery to the blood is unknown.
One can visualize several possibilities as a result of these studies. Some of
these may include: cholesterol control and subsequent reduction of
cardiovascular disease through a friendly food ingredient or capsule of emu
oil, topical treatment of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis or rheumatism,
or efficient delivery of topical pharmaceuticals. Enhanced cosmetics and
pharmaceutical formulations seem likely for both external and internal
treatment perhaps even to targeting of specific organs.
What has not been done is the determination of the active ingredient or
ingredients in emu oil that is responsible for the observations made in these
trials. The future efforts should focus on the identification of active
components in the oil. The determination of the effects of gender, feeds,
location of oil and processing effects can then be determined and optimized.
As Dr. Nicolosi had summarized at the annual meeting, “emu oil is not your
normal chicken fat.” We can push forward into new opportunities with this
beneficial livestock product with “further research that aims at specific new
medicinal uses in everyday health-aid situations.”
The following charts support this article:
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Emu Oil
Cholestrol Effects of Emu Oil
Trans-dermal Delivery of Emu Oil
A rt h rit is an d Pa in Re lief
A pp lica t io n s of Emu O il
Reprinted from Emu Today & Tomorrow
July 1995
Getting a Grip on Pain: Documenting the Facts on Emu Oil and Arthritis
Dr. Thom Leahey of the Arthritis Clinic in Ardmore, OK, discusses reducing
arthritis pain with Emu Oil, and the use of Emu Oil in his practice.
A preliminary study has already produced some positive indication, that the oil
may substantially reduce the pain caused by arthritis. "We took a random
sampling of 20 volunteers for a double blind, placebo-controlled study using
emu oil and mineral oil," said Dr. Leahey. "The only qualifying parameter was
that the volunteer could not have ever used emu oil before the test.
Volunteers also remained on the same arthritis medicine they were currently
taking,: he explained.
"In this 2 week study, 7 of the 12 emu oil users reported a significant reduction
in pain, morning stiffness and swelling. Only 1 of the 8 mineral oil users
(placebo) related the same results," reported Dr. Leahey. Encouraged by
these preliminary findings. Dr. Leahey felt the oil merited additional
investigation through a comprehensive clinical study that could be
documented and published in scientific and trade journals.
The proposed study, which will extend over a three month period, will involve
500 participants. 'The main qualifying factor will be that the participant must
have had arthritis diagnosed in their hands," he explained. Although the
extensiveness of the arthritis is not a factor that will disqualify a volunteer, Dr.
Leahey maintains a personal theory that the oil may have its greatest impact
on early stages of arthritis pain. "I don't know if any topical aid would be
beneficial for chronic or burnout arthritis, where the cartilage has been
actually destroyed. I suspect the oil reduces inflammation around and within
joints, and assists in allowing a greater freedom of movement." he reasoned.
"This study will not only provide for a subjective determination of the effect of
the oil," said Dr. Leahey, "but it will also include direct measurements. By
using a dynamometer, we can confirm changes in the participant's gripping
strength. Also, by direct examination of the hands, it is very easy to test the
sensitivity and number of tender and swollen joints." he revealed.
Volunteers that are accepted and have been off arthritis medicine for one
month will receive an Initial examination measuring the gapping strength in
the hands. The subject may be asked at the beginning of the study to assign a
number corresponding to the pain level being experienced in their joints on a
scale of 1 to 5. After the hands are examined, the subject will be instructed on
how to properly apply the oil onto the hands, tentatively 3 times a day for 3
months. The subject's hands will be reexamined and evaluated at the end of
each 30 day interval.
"When I was initially approached by patients advising me that they were
experiencing relief from emu oil, I did a literature search on the topic of emu
oil and medical applications. I quickly learned that there is a big void in this
area and that there were no published articles in scientific or medical
journals." Dr. Leahey revealed.
Personal observation of the effectiveness of the emu oil on his own patients
was the motivating factor behind Dr. Leahey's proposal for a clinical study.
"The dramatic results I have observed convinced me that this oil can make an
impact on those suffering from arthritis." he stated. "The advent of this oil has
simply changed my practice." he asserted.
"The research is imperative," stated Dr. Leahey. The initial results and
potential are so exciting. In the last few weeks. I've begun recommending the
use of emu oil as part of a regular treatment program for patients," he
revealed. "I’ve observed some very surprising results. The oil is very
economical compared to regular arthritis medicines, and appears to have
fewer side effects," he continued. "It's very encouraging to find something that
may help relieve the suffering associated with arthritis, and it's very exciting to
be a part of a project that may impact the quality of life for so many people."
E mu O il is Th is
P h ysician 's Cho ice
by Beth Silva
Reprinted from Emu Today & Tomorrow
October 1998
Hundreds of patients who have visited Dr. Dan Dean of Dan C. Dean D.O. &
Associates in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan are receiving relief from various
ailments, thanks in part to treatments with emu oil. A commodity
acknowledged for centuries [in its native Australia] for its medicinal purposes,
emu oil is just beginning to be touted and recognized by some in the medical
field in this country.
Typical of the medical practitioner, Dean was at first somewhat skeptical
about the reputed medicinal and cosmetic benefits of emu oil. The doctor
remarks that his initial research in earnest on the oil happened on a trip to
Australia several years ago. But the physician, also an avid thoroughbred
horse enthusiast, was won over only after emu oil was used to save one of his
top racers, The Rebalizer. Dean explains that the horse picked up a
Salmonella infection, was treated at the Michigan State University, but
developed an allergic reaction to all the IV steroids, antibiotics, etc., it
received and subsequently lost all its hair and much of its stamina.
Knowing that emu oil had a reputation to stimulate skin and hair growth, the
doctor decided to give it a try on his favored horse. Ultra sensitive to touch,
The Rebalizer had to be stilled for the first few applications of pure emu oil to
his bare hide. But Dean says that after twice-a-day applications for three
days, the animal welcomed the employment of the oil. Shortly after the
treatments began, his horse's health and hair returned! Dean says that after
researching the oil further, he began using it on himself, his family and then
patients, with incredible results.
Now, two years later, hundreds of the doctor's patients (as well as some
patients of other physicians sent to Dean) are realizing benefit from emu oil.
On a typical day the doctor uses the oil on individuals suffering from burns,
abrasions, sore joints, eczema, arthritis, colitis, psoriasis, and as a wound
application immediately following surgery.
"It's all voluntary," says Dean. "I explain to the patients what the oil is and
what I'll be doing. I've had exceptional results with the oil and we haven't had
one patient complain. Actually, many people come in and ask for it. When
surgery patients leave they are given a small container of the pure oil to be
applied to their wound three times a day to speed up the healing process. In
the office we use the pure emu oil directly on open burns, abrasions and
ulcerations. We only use pure emu oil with no added ingredients. It's an
amazing substance."
The doctor utilizes the oil's moisturizing properties by compounding an emu oil
nasal spray and cough syrup formula for some of his patients. "When cold and
flue season starts, we'll use the oil on a minimum of 15 patients a day," he
says.
When asked what impresses him most about the oil's properties as a
practicing physician, Dean replies, "the thing that's most impressive about the
oil is I can actually see [photos accompanied the magazine article] the way it
affects open wound healing, which I'm very interested in."
The doctor is also presently researching wound healing utilizing emu oil to
learn more about the oil's properties with Dr. Leigh Hopkins, a comrade who is
a clinical professor of pharmacy with a degree in biochemistry.
"We've got the cart before the horse," says Dean. "We know the oil works, but
we want to look deeper into the microphysiology and biology of just why it
does work." Actually, emu oil is being utilized and researched quietly by a
growing number of individuals in the medical field including cancer centers
interested in the oil's effects on burns sustained by patients during radiation
treatments. Dean himself has a growing number of patients being referred to
him by other medical professionals. Of this he says, "Slowly we're getting
other physicians interested in the oil. It's a little hard to convince doctors, but I
don't push the emu oil on them, I let them come to me. Now some are asking,
What are you using? and Why did so-and-so heal so fast?
An 80-year-old diabetic patient with gangrene of the toes and a serious heel
ulceration was recently referred to Dean. "The surgeon who sent the patient
down said it looked like they were going to have to amputate the foot," relates
the doctor. "But I suggested that we first try the emu oil. And by using the emu
oil we were able to completely heal the ulceration on the heel and there's no
gangrene in the toes -they're just as pink as can be. The surgeon's comment
was, it looks like emu oil turned this thing around. We're not going to
amputate.' We used only pure oil in the treatment and it saved this
gentlemen's foot!"
Patients of open-heart surgery also receive emu oil on their freshly stitched
incision. Dean says that when they return to their thoracic surgeon for a follow
up with a well healed sternum incision, the surgeons always comment on how
fast the incision healed.
Convalescents of a nearby extended care facility also benefit from the
medicinal advantage of emu oil. Dean says that he is currently using the oil on
individuals with pressure sores. "We're using the oil when the sore is actually
a grade 1 - when we just see the inflammation of the skin. And I think because
of the oil's penetrability, we're able to prevent the sores rather than having to
cure them," he remarks.
Dean is helping to spread the interest in emu oil. He delivered the slide
presentation "Wound Management With Emu Oil" at the 1998 Annual
American Emu Association Convention in San Antonio and relates that he
was recently approached by a drug company (that usually features a
discourse on one of their own products) to deliver a presentation on emu oil to
an all-doctor audience. He mentions that he has also been petitioned by an
Alternative Medicine group out of Chicago to speak on emu oil.
To better serve individuals requesting the oil, Dean recently began offering a
line of several specially formulated and pre-tested emu oil products for
medicinal and cosmetic applications called 'The Dean's List." And this May the
doctor received a Humanitarian award for his continuing work in the field of
family practice, as well as a New Product Award for his product line from the
Award Committee for the International Hall of Fame, sponsored by the
Inventors Clubs of America Inc.
Through Rishada Emu Inc., Dean currently has available six products, which
he says contain a high percentage of emu oil and Include a hand lotion, skin
moisturizer, skin tightener, body cleanser, shampoo, and 100 percent pure
emu oil. "I'm real excited about all our products and people's response to
them is amazing," says the doctor, who has additional emu oil products on
line.
Dean says that he will continue to research the oil and use it in his practice. "I
wouldn't quit!" he says.
Eczema Pictures from Dr. Dean
E mp lo yin g Emu O il in t he
Do cto r's Off ice
Reprinted from Emu Today & Tomorrow
October 1999
On an ordinary day, Dr. Dan Dean will use an emu oil product on an average
of a dozen patients in his private practice in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Pure emu oil is employed by the physician mainly on clients suffering from
various burns and abrasions. "In addition to abrasions and burns I also use
pure emu oil on scars and wounds," says Dean, who has spent the past 30
years in private family practice. "I do a lot of in-office skin surgeries, and
anytime the patient walks out of the office they have the oil to use on the
wound because emu oil enhances wound healing." The patients are told to
apply the emu oil or to remoisten the bandage three times daily, usually until
their next appointment.
During allergy season emu oil is employed often by the doctor, who has
developed a nasal spray product, one of several emu oil products from his
product line The Dean's List. He relates that he's interested in making pure
emu oil as well as medicinal emu oil products available to his patients.
One product that he uses perhaps the most often during allergy season is
Emusol nasal spray (98% pure emu oil).
"I've probably had well over 500 people use my nasal spray with very good
success," says Dean. "The nasal spray has been practically a miracle drug -it does such a fantastic job. These people say they can now breathe. I also
use it for kids with bloody noses. It moistens the nasal mucosa and brings it
back to its normal function."
Utilizing Emu Oil With Conventional Drugs
In addition to pure emu oil, Dean relates that he also employs emu oil in
conjunction with some conventional drugs including antifungal medications.
"I think the oil has an inherent anti-fungal property itself," remarks the
physician. "When I mix it or combine it with a known topical antifungal or a
known topical anticeritic drug for psoriasis, I see a benefit from using that as
compared to using just the topical medications by themselves. I have seen the
difference and I use the oil combination quite often. We're seeing the fungus
under the nails healing much faster. People are saying, 'I've had this for years
and now it's healed.' By using the oil we've corrected the problem much more
quickly."
The doctor remarks that he also uses the oil in conjunction with a topical
antibiotic.
Pain Reduction
Another benefit of emu oil as noted by the doctor's findings is that emu oil
lessens pain in patients with bums and in patients with abrasions.
"When we use the pure oil on the wounds, they're not using as much pain
medication," comments Dean. "For example, we gave an 8-year-old boy with
burns a liquid codeine, and when he returned I asked how much he had left
and he said, 'Most of it, because I didn't need it.' Recently I used pure emu oil
on post-radiation burn on two ladies. They've related that the burning
sensation subsides and they don't need as much of their pain medication. In
addition, another patient's wife said her husband didn't complain as much of
the pain (typical burning pain associated with that particular ailment) just a few
days after applying emu oil."
Emu oil is great for sunburns as well. "It stops the pain therefore we don't
need as much pain killers," says Dean. "I see most of your college students
with sunburns from tanning beds and that pain is eased remarkably with just
the oil."
Reducing Time of Healing
Of great interest is Dean's findings with emu oil in relation to quicker wound
healing. He relates, "I have noticed that with a typical third degree burn and
with various abrasions where it normally takes six weeks to heal, we're seeing
healing much quicker, in almost half the time. Also when we remove skin
lesions in the office, these wound incisions heal quicker when emu oil is
applied."
Lack of Complications Using Emu Oil
Naturally patients not familiar with emu oil question the doctor as to what type
of side effects they might experience with emu oil.
"Since it's a natural product, the answer is, technically none," says Dean. "But
although many individuals feel that taking aspirin is safe -- some people react
to aspirin. I'm sure that there's somebody out there somewhere that may get a
reaction from emu oil, but I've not experienced it."
When applying emu oil to fresh burns or wounds the first day, Dean maintains
that his patients haven't experienced any negative reaction. "Emu oil is a
natural product and we would be less apt to expect any type of an allergic or
contact type reaction when using it," he says.
Don't Self-Diagnose -- Work With a Physician
While much good has been reported about emu oil, Dean cautions individuals
not to take treatment into their own hands, especially when it comes to
serious injuries or illnesses.
"It is very, very important that people don't think this is such a miracle that
they can go home and start treating third degree bums," advises Dr. Dean.
"They need to see their physician have the conventional care before they start
using emu oil. Because what can happen is that they may take a second
degree burn and drive it to a third degree burn if it is not taken care of
properly. And a burn may not heal even when applying pure emu oil because
there may be extenuating circumstances involved such as lack of circulation,
or it may be a different type burn such as a chemical burn that may require
special care, or a burn that has already gotten bacteria into it. And a lot of
people don't know when their last tetanus shot was, so if they were to treat
their burns at home without the aid of their physician, they may run into
serious problems."
If a physician is not familiar with the benefits of emu oil, Dean says that the
patient should go ahead and see their physician and bring up the benefits of
the oil and suggest that it be used, or ask them to call Dr. Dean himself and
let him explain what he's done with it. And then once the ailment is treated
and when the patient feels comfortable about applying the oil to the wound,
then Dean feels they can go ahead and start applying it.
Just the Beginning
While the Australian aborigines have employed emu fat [emu oil is rendered
and refined emu fat] for medicinal and cosmetic purposes for centuries, it
wasn't until the late 1980's that emu oil began being researched in seriously
for its beneficial properties. Additional public awareness and the findings of
physicians like Dean and others, no doubt will spur on additional research.
"Some work is currently being done with emu oil -- adding additional
compounds to enhance its healing process or the oil enhancing conventional
therapy," relates Dean. "So there is a great deal more that we're going to find
out about the oil. But it would be much easier and much better if we could get
emu oil into a wound care center or university for example for additional
experimentation by itself and with conventional drugs. I think what we've done
with the oil so far is gotten our toe in the door. Now we need to get more of
the medical field involved to confirm what I and others have started to do in a
more scientific and technical mariner."
Dean has been employing emu oil in his practices for the past several years
and feels confident he's working with a winner. "It seems we have a fantastic
product here," says the doctor.
NOTE: This article had several pictures that we do not have at this time.
E mu O il - Som et h in g Ne w un de r
t he S un (bu rn )
American Emu Association
Press Release
May 2000
DALLAS, TEXAS- Packing for vacation? Don't forget the emu oil!
"Many travelers don't realize that taking along emu oil makes summer
vacation more comfortable and therefore more enjoyable," said Neil Williams,
president of the American Emu Association. "By applying a small amount, you
can take the burn out of a sunburn and sidestep the peeling phase. You can
take the sting out of most insect bites and soothe chafing after a day's sightseeing. And with emu oil, you can prevent dry skin and chapped lips in any
climate."
Esta Kronberg, M.D., a Houston, TX-based dermatologist began prescribing
emu oil for her patients several years ago after using it on a sunburn. "When I
realized how well it fights inflammation, I began using it for many different
problems, all with good results. A spider bite on her ankle was the next test.
"Within a few hours after applying emu oil, all the stinging was gone," the
physician said."
Kronberg said emu oil begins healing faster and relieves pain, so patients feel
better sooner. "It works quickly, our patients have been really pleased," she
explained, "and they are intrigued because it is a natural substance."
In her practice, Kronberg finds emu oil is the best treatment for first- and
second-degree burns and she has also had good success prescribing emu oil
for rosacea patients. "Even though it is an oil, it seems to heal inflamed, ruddy
and raw skin," explained the physician.
At a recent medical symposium, the physician and her husband met a nurse
who suffered from psoriasis. After using emu oil, the woman reported a
clearing of scaling skin lesions and being able to wear short sleeves and
shorts for the first time in 10 years. "I was absolutely sold after that," Kronberg
said.
Julie Brumlik, founder of a line of emu oil-based skin care products she
markets from Miami, FL, said her first formulas were used by dermatologists
for patients who had undergone dermabrasion (a skin resurfacing procedure)
and to treat post-sunburn. "The results were remarkable. Emu oil consistently
promoted healing of sunburned skin, stopped the stinging and prevented
tightness and peeling," said Brumlik. "Would I travel without it - across the
state or across Europe? Absolutely not!
O ve rvie w
P ro ce ss of Re nde rin g &
Ref in in g Em u O il
These graph images explain a top level overview of how emu oil is rendered
and refined.