There is a good reason why Emu oil is touted as a popular ‘miracle oil’—it has been proven to have numerous benefits including anti-inflammatory properties, promoting hair growth, minimizing dandruff and healing stubborn skin conditions such as eczema.
What is Emu Oil?
Emu oil is extracted from the flightless bird, Emu. The emu bird, which looks a lot like an ostrich and is native to Australia, is believed to be the second largest bird by height.
Emu oil primarily constitutes fatty acids and lipids, which have been found to be potent healing elements for skin irritations and bodily inflammation. Also, given its monounsaturated and polysaturated fatty acid content, emu oil can be used to supress high cholesterol.
People use this oil to treat other health conditions including colds, coughs and all sorts of flus. Others use emu oil to treat inflammation of the intestines, to reduce blood fats and also minimize bad cholesterol, also known as lipoprotein (LDL).
Lubricants containing emu oil claim to be able to alleviate menstrual pain and headache and those containing anti-inflammatory ingredients such as aloe vera and Vitamin C may aid in curing extreme swelling and pain.
Emu oil is especially popular in the treatment of skin conditions. It contains flavones and carotenoids—powerful antioxidants needed by each cell in the body for healthy skin.
Can Emu Oil Help With Eczema?
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic disorder affecting the skin. It is characterized by red itchy skin especially during episodes of flaring up.
Genetics play a big role in predisposing someone to eczema. In particular, a family history of food allergies, asthma caused by allergies, conjunctivitis and rhinitis increases the risk of atopic dermatitis.
Irritants in the environment can also exacerbate eczema. It is best to minimize the use of drying elements such as solvents and soaps. If you must use soap, choose soaps with a neutral pH or opt for non-soap cleansing agents; this is especially true for hand dermatitis. It also helps to wear gloves when using detergents or soaps that could irritate your skin.
Numerous studies have shown emu oil's anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, emu oil contains linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid used to alleviate inflammation. In part, this explains why emu oil could offer relief for chronic skin conditions such as eczema as well as acne and psoriasis.
Eczema occurs when the skin is unable to adequately retain water; not because it lacks oil. A powerful way to alleviate the associated dryness is to add water to the skin and then seal it with an oily substance.
To alleviate the symptoms of eczema with emu oil, start by soaking the affected area with warm water for about 20 minutes. Dry the skin using a soft towel and then apply emu oil immediately. Do this at least once a day to keep your skin hydrated. Applying emu oil at least two times a day can go a long way in keeping your skin optimally hydrated.
Eczema can be a difficult skin condition to treat but the healing properties of emu oil have proven to be an effective way to relieve the symptoms of eczema and other stubborn skin conditions. Be sure to choose pure emu oil such as the Emu Oil Premium Golden Grade A by Naturals New Zealand to really see the benefits of this miracle oil.
Other Skin Care Benefits of Emu Oil
In addition to helping with eczema, other emu oil benefits include:
Emu Oil for Scars
Studies have shown that emu oil can help to minimize scarring caused by open wounds. Patients who topically applied emu oil on open wounds healed faster than those who did not.
Emu Oil and Hair Loss
According to experts, hair loss can be caused by a combination of family history of baldness, hormonal changes and aging. If the hair follicle is permanently damaged hair loss can be permanent. Other times, hair loss due to temporary damage to hair follicles can be reversed.
Many consumers with temporary hair loss report to reversing this condition with the use of emu oil. Applying emu oil to the scalp revitalizes the hair follicles, allowing hair regrowth.
In his book, Emu Oil: Reexamining a Natural Remedy with Today's Technology, Michael Hollick, MD, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Physiology, and Dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine reported a 20 percent increase in skin growth following regular application of emu oil. In contrast to skin that received corn oil, skin that received emu oil had robust hair follicles and was thicker, an indication that emu oil boosted skin and hair growth. The study also found that more than 80 percent of dormant hair follicles were revived and began growing following application of emu oil.
Emu Oil and Rosacea
While there is no known cure for rosacea, using emu oil soap can give you relief from symptoms of this skin condition. Given that emu oil is a tissue nutrient, using emu oil soap is a gentle and soothing option to cleansing and moisturizing the skin.
The National Rosacea Society recommends application of a quality moisturizer after cleansing your skin with a mild cleaning agent. Emu oil serves as a powerful moisturizer as it easily penetrates down to the deepest layer of the skin. This is especially beneficial given that the composition of emu oil is similar to the lipid composition of the human skin.
For people with rosacea, it is recommended to use anti-inflammatory and non-comedogenic moisturizing products and emu oil comes in as an excellent option.
For best results, massage a small amount of emu oil into the balding area of the scalp at least three times a day. In the evening or weekends when you have more time, you can apply more emu oil and allow the scalp to absorb the oil for about 30 minutes before rinsing your hair with a mild shampoo. You should see regrowth within 30 to 90 days if your hair loss was only temporary.
Emu Oil and Acne
Researchers have found that the anti-inflammatory properties of emu oil can help to alleviate the symptoms. Emu oil is also a bacteriostatic, meaning it inhibits the growth of bacteria, a process that is especially important for those suffering from mild to severe acne.
Emu oil may also be considered hypoallergenic given that it does not irritate the skin and has the ability to help reduce acne. Dermatologists especially recommend emu oil because it does not have negative side effects. Users say their acne cleared up within a week to four weeks.
Other studies have found that emu oil is non-comedogenic i.e. it does not clog pores even when used regularly. This oil for acne also contains Vitamin A, an antioxidant that aids in repairing damaged skin and alleviating the effects of free radicals in the body.
Emu oil further contains linoleic acid, which helps in cell regeneration. This is especially helpful in fading red marks and discoloration, and healing inflamed cysts.
Emu oil For Dermatitis and Sunburn
Emu oil offers great healing benefits for people suffering from skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, ringworm and allergic reactions. Emu oil is also excellent for soothing and healing sunburn.
What Is The Best Emu Oil To Use?
While there are many emu oil brands out there, we recommend the Emu Oil Premium Golden Grade A, which comes in a set of two bottles and an emu oil lip balm.
Emu Oil for Dandruff
Emu oil works as a natural moisturizer and conditioner for the skin and helps to relieve dandruff resulting from scalp dryness. Its deep penetrating, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help to alleviate skin conditions such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis or eczema, which are linked to dandruff. The essential oils and the omega healing properties of emu oil also offer great relief from dandruff. Use a shampoo and conditioner containing emu oil as your dandruff could be a result of a reaction to harsh hair care products.
Recommended Product:
Emu Oil Premium Golden Grade A Set of 2 Bottles and Emu Oil Lip Balm
Quality:
Price:
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This emu oil by Naturals New Zealand is produced from birds raised on farms in the US. The oil does not contain antibiotics or hormones and each batch is the tested in an independent laboratory to ensure the oil complies with international standards of pure emu oil.
This Grade A emu oil is refined and contains natural ingredients such as minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids Omega 3 and 6. The oil works to relieve joint pain, promote hair growth, fade stretch marks, slow down the process of aging and alleviate skin dryness caused by psoriasis and eczema.
The all-natural main ingredients in the emu oil and lip balm include: Hemp Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Castor Seed Oil, Carnauba Wax, Beeswax, Sweet Almond Oil, Natural Fragrance, Capric Triglycerides and Vitamin E.
PROS
- Fragrance free
- Does not sit on skin; easily absorbed
- Does not irritate the skin; suitable for sensitive skin
- Non comedogenic
- Anti-inflammatory
CONS
- May take a while to see results
- A bit pricey
Alternatively, there are other products based on combinations of natural oils. XANDERM Facial Oil (only available in Europe) is comprised of 8 natural oils to help with dry skin and Eczema.