Emu oil - something new (tm)
under the Sun(burn)
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 sight-seeing. 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." (http://estakronbergmd.com/.)
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!
Emu Oil May 2005
Emu oil has been used for thousands of years by Aboriginal people to reduce the pain and swelling of arthritis, heal wounds and burns (including sunburn) and to reduce the pain, itch and swelling from insect bites and stings.
Emu oil is an effective anti-inflammatory. The potency of its anti-inflammatory effect is similar to that of ibuprofen, without the negative side-effects common to conventional anti-inflammatory medications.
Emu oil is believed to be beneficial in the treatment of many conditions, including arthritis, gout, muscle fatigue, joint pain, burns (particularly sunburn), dry skin, psoriasis, eczema and wound healing and scarring. Many studies and testimonials indicate it may help to reduce cholesterol, probably because of its high levels of essential fatty acids.
Distributer Howard Fox says the products are amazing. "They can reduce the swelling of muscle and joint problems and are fantastic for eczema, psoriasis and dry skin problems."
However, Dr Len Rose, Director of the Melbourne Pain Management Clinic, says, "There are no cures for arthritis and eczema". He says buyers should be cautious.
But the emu oil users ACA spoke to said it worked well for them.
Expectant mother Debra Stavrinidis is a happy customer. "This pregnancy I have used emu oil, rubbing it on my stomach. I have not had any stretch marks whatsoever, whereas in my first pregnancy I was prone to stretch marks."
Howard Fox says that this is a natural product, so it will take four to five days to kick in.
Interest in emu oil has increased dramatically over recent years. It is currently involved in many trials and studies within the cosmetic and medical industries as they attempt to unlock the secrets of this unique substance.
THE OIL FROM FLIGHTLESS EMUS MAY HEAL SCARS
by Jennifer Gish Albany Tribune September 2005
ALBANY, N.Y.-Dr Jerome Chao wasn't entirely convinced about the restorative properties of emu oil until he gave some to a dog-bite victim whose facial scarring looked like it would eventually require corrective surgery.
But, when the patient returned three months later and the long scar was barely noticeable, the Albany plastic surgeon began wondering if there wasn't something to this product extracted from a big, flightless, unbelievably utilitarian bird.
Pretty much every part of the emu can be used for some commercial purpose, such as low-fat, high-protein meat, or attractive leather, industry experts say.
They say Aborigines first used emu oil for healing, but its anti-inflammatory abilities were realized with 1993 studies by Australian researchers. More research and emu-oil products followed.
The bird's oil, derived from a deposit of fat on its back, is already used in a popular pain-reducing salve.
Now, Chao is hoping Albany Medical College, where he's a clinical assistant professor of surgery, will bless his study on whether the oil may reduce scarring after breast surgeries.
Chao said as soon as he gets approval from a review board at the college, he will ask patient volunteers to apply emu oil to their scars. He expects to have a report within 28 months to two years, with some preliminary results available in six months.
But he wants to prove its worth for certain, which is why he'll do an official study with the college's backing.
Chao's interest in the oil started when a friend in the medical industry told him about it. The friend also hooked him up with a supplier.
So far, the oil has proven more effective than other scar-reducing lotions and creams, Chao said. But, his more formal patient study should say more.
The anti-inflammatory properties of the fatty-acid-rich oil seem to be key to reducing the appearance of scars if used within two to three weeks after surgery, he said.
"For younger kids to older retirees, they ask me for anything I can do to reduce the appearance of scars," Chao said.
So far, he said, it appears the oil works best on new scars.
Larry Chriscoe, president and chief operating officer for the North Carolina-based NFI Consumer Products, said he's eager to see the results.
His company makes Blue-Emu, a pain-relief cream that employs emu oil, and he is wondering whether the next frontier for emu products is in skin care.
Chao said if his study proves the oil's worth he can see it being used on all kinds of patients, from burn victims to face-lift recipients.
Emu Oil Offers Hope to Diabetics
Some Physicians Using Emu Oil To Assist In Diabetic Wound Care
San Angelo, Texas - Diabetic wound care has been of great concern to physicians for many years and with good cause. Even simple wounds can take twice as long to heal and they always have the potential to deteriorate into something severe. Over 150 million people worldwide have diabetes and the number is expected to double by 2010. Of these, it is estimated that at least 15% will develop foot ulcerations and that related complications will require 3% to have a lower limb amputation. However, some physicians are finding that the addition of emu oil to the treatment regime for diabetic wound care offers some hope in the battle to save limbs.
Dr. Robert Winston, a Jackson, Tenn. physician, states that his use of emu oil has shown promise. "I have treated several diabetic wounds with antibiotics using emu oil as a transport from the outside in,” the doctor said. “The results have been amazing."
The use of emu oil as a carrier for antibiotics may offer diabetic patients and attending physicians aid in the battle to promote healing and find ways to lessen the extent of the prolonged and painful traditional treatments usually involved in the treatment of decubitus ulcers. Dr. Winston will be a guest speaker at The 2006 Emu Oil Seminar for Medical Professionals on Saturday, July 15. The seminar is being held in conjunction with the American Emu Association National Convention, held this year at the Madison West-Marriott Hotel in Middleton, Wisconsin. Area medical professionals are invited to attend the event which takes place from 1 to 5 PM.
A board certified internal medicine practitioner at the Eastside Medical Center in Jackson, Tennessee, Dr. Winston has practiced medicine for over 25 years. He enjoys staff privileges at Regional Hospital of Jackson, Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and Meharry Medical College Dept. of Continuing Education.
Emus Making Tracks For Our Medicine Cabinets
October 2000
WCH Researchers Unravel The Mysteries Of Emu Oil
As early as 1860, a London academic publication described how the Aboriginal people and early Australian settlers used emu oil to heal wounds, reduce pain and relieve various muscular disorders.
After 140 years, the emu is again displaying its feathers and enticing scientists to discover the secrets of its oil.
Researchers at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide have been working, since February, on a project funded by the Australian Emu Farmers, to identify the active components in emu oil. This will enable standardization of the product - something demanded of all successful modern industries.
Professor Tony Ferrante, Head of Immunopathology at the hospital said, “There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that emu oil is effective as an anti-inflammatory agent in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, but no scientific evidence of its efficacy.
“Some of the fatty acids in emu oil are found in other oils, for example olive oil, but olive oil is not anti-inflammatory. There must be unique components in emu oil.
“Our task now, is to identify these components. We already have some promising results suggesting the anti-inflammatory activity resides in a particular fraction of the oil. But we need to have biological as well as chemical analyses to complete the picture. This could take a number of years,” he said.
President of the South Australian Emu Farmers Association, Mr Chris Gregory said,” For the emu farmers of Australia, the oil is the most important commodity, followed by the meat.
“This is probably the first research undertaken where the knowledge is for the benefit of the whole industry. We are very confident that this research will help boost emu farming in Australia,” he said.
Emu oils from several different origins will be fractionated and the active components examined for both in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity.
Professor Ferrante's research group brings to the task an impressive reputation of some 20 years internationally acclaimed research into the immunology of a broad spectrum of inflammatory diseases. The group is responsible for the discovery of some unique effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (a class of oils) on inflammation.
Currently there are about 230 licensed emu farms in Australia, of which 45 are in South Australia.
EMU OIL WORKS AS HARD AS YOU DO
Dallas, TX - What do NBA players, Olympic athletes, and Aboriginal tribesmen have in common? Two things. They are all extremely active and all seek comfort to soothe their aching bodies after a hard work out or a 20 mile jaunt in the Outback. They also use Emu Oil to achieve that result! Emu Oil is derived from a large flightless bird that is native to Australia.
The good news is you don't have to be a sports personality or native Australian to reap the benefits from this unusual oil. Carpenters, postal workers and gardeners are finding out emu oil not only moisturizes the rough, dry or callused hands, it also works to comfort the rest of their bodies.
Researchers are hard pressed to explain the benefits from the emu oil. They know emu oil works for many different uses and are still diligently investigating the results and effects of this unique oil. Dr. Peter Ghosh, Director of Research in Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital has confirmed that laboratory experiments consistently point to emu oil's ability to treat inflammation and pain. Another Australian, Dr. G. R. Hobday, conducted a ten year clinical study that reported reduced pain, swelling and stiffness for patients using emu oil, especially on hands, feet, knees and elbows. While researching in Adult Rheumatology at the Arthritis Clinic in Ardmore, OK, Thom B. Leahey, D.O., stated, "The advent of this oil has simply changed my practice. I've begun recommending the use of emu oil as part of a regular treatment program for patients. I've observed some very surprising results."
Because emu oil spreads, you only need a drop or two to be effective. This makes the use of emu oil very cost effective compared to other compounds. Emu oil has no known side effects like those listed with other formulas. When combined topically with other products, emu oil only enhances to ensure positive results. Omega's 3, 6 & 9 add to the soothing and moisturizing abilities of emu oil.
Alexandra Hall, RDH and Michael Hall, DDS of Berlin, MD are emu product producers and distributors. Alexandra says, "With patients to treat, I don't have time for pain and stiffness from carpal tunnel and arthritis slowing me down. As for emu oil, I don't think I could practice dental hygiene without it!"
"Emu oil is a known tissue penetrant with anti-inflammatory properties," says Dr. Hall. "When combined with baking soda, refined emu oil that has been processed using food grade criteria, makes a soothing dental poultice for mouth irritations and swollen gums."
Whether you are a secretary, soldier or arthritis sufferer, try emu oil. It works naturally and you benefit, regardless of your walk of life. Emu oil has already proven itself through the ages to people who work and play hard. So spread the relief, then spread the word...emu oil really works.
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