Evidence supporting the use of: Emu oil
For the health condition: Skin (infections)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Emu oil is a traditional remedy used by Indigenous Australians for various skin ailments, and its use has expanded globally for skin conditions, including minor infections. Scientific investigations into emu oil’s effects have focused on its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Some laboratory (in vitro) and animal studies demonstrate that emu oil may reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, and enhance skin barrier repair. For example, research published in the journal Inflammopharmacology (2003) found that emu oil reduced inflammation in a rat model. Other studies have suggested emu oil may have some antibacterial effects, but these findings are preliminary and not robustly demonstrated in human clinical trials.
Despite these promising indications, there is limited direct evidence supporting the use of emu oil specifically for treating skin infections in humans. Most available studies are small, preclinical, or lack rigorous controls. There is insufficient high-quality clinical data to confirm emu oil’s efficacy against skin infections or to compare it to standard treatments. While the oil is generally considered safe for topical use and may improve symptoms like dryness or irritation, it should not be relied upon as a primary therapy for infections. More clinical research is needed to substantiate its effectiveness for this purpose.
Other ingredients used for Skin (infections)
10-Undecenoic Acid15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Abuta
Acemannan
Achyranthes
Aerva lanata
Agave
Ajoene
Ajuga
Akebia
Alantolactone
Albizia
Alchornea
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allantoin
Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
American Pawpaw
Ampelopsis
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia viridiflora
Ardisia
Arisaema
Artepillin C
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
aucubin
Aureobasidium pullulans
azelaic acid
babchi
Bacillus
Backhousia citriodora
bael
Baliospermum
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
bentonite
benzoin
Bergenia
bisabolene
Black spruce
black walnut
Blepharis
Boswellic Acid
Bougainvillea
Brazilian peppertree
burning bush
California pitcher plant
camphor oil
Casearia esculenta
castile soap
Cedrus libani
chaparral
Chekiang Fritillary
chickweed
Chiococca alba
chlorophyll
Chondracanthus chamissoi
Cistus
citral
citronella
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cocklebur
copaiba oil
copper
croton seeds
Cynodon dactylon
cypress
daphne
Didymocarpus
echinacea purpurea
Echinodorus
emu oil
farnesol
Ficus religiosa
fir
fleabane
frankincense
Galbanum
Galium
gallic acid
genipap
geranial
geraniol
Gigartina
glyceryl caprylate caprate
Glycolipids
Glycyrrhetinic acid
golden shower tree
goldenrod
goldenseal
Guazuma ulmifolia
heartwood
Hemidesmus
Homalomena
Houttuynia
Hyaluronidase
hydroxyquinoline
Hypericin
Immortelle
Immunoglobulin G
Indian nightshade
Indian sarsparilla
Ivy
Japanese sophora
Jatoba
juniper berries
Kachnar
Kigelia africana
knotgrass
knotweed
Labdanum
lactic acid
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoperoxidase
Laminaria
Lantana camara
Ledebouriella
Leptadenia
Leptospermum scoparium
Lilium polyphyllum
liverwort
Lophira lanceolata
loquat
Loranthus
lupulone
Lysimachia
Mahonia
manzanita
Marjoram
Marking Nut Tree
Matapalo Tree
melaleuca alternifolia
Mesua
Milkweed
Monolaurin
Mountain horopito
Mountain mahogany
Mucilage
Mullein
Nasturtium
Night jessamine
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
oriental arborvitae
paederia foetida
Pentatropis capensis
Pepper Bark Tree
Plumbago zeylanica
Polypodium
Premna
privet
purple Tephrosia
queen of the meadow
Queen's Delight
quercetin
Rhododendron
Rosa laevigata
Rosmanol
Rubia cordifolia
Sapindus mukorossi
Sarcandra glabra
sarsaparilla
Scoparia dulcis
Semecarpus anacardium
Semiaquilegia
Sesquiterpenic Acid
sheep's sorrel
Shikonin
Silk protein
Silkmoth
Simaruba
Skunkvine
smilax
Smoketree
Snakeroot
Soapberry
Solanum anguivi
Spikenard
Spilanthes
Stillingia
Stone Root
Storax
Streptomyces
sweetgums
Takuna
Terpinen-4-ol
Thymol
Trypsin
turmeric
typhonium
Verbascoside
Veronica
vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
White oak
Wintergreen
Witch Hazel
Wrightia tinctoria
Xanthoparmelia
Xanthorrhizol
Yarrow
Yellow Dock
Yellow root
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by emu oil
ArthritisBites and Stings
Blisters
Boils
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cuts
Dermatitis
Eczema
Injuries
Itching
Lesions
Pain (general remedies for)
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Scars / Scar Tissue
Scratches and Abrasions
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin Care (general)
Sunburn
Wounds and Sores
