Potential therapeutic applications for emu oil

Emu oil is a rich source of fatty acids extracted from the subcutaneous and retroperitoneal fat of the Emu (a flightless bird native to Australia). Indigenous Australian people first used emu oil for its healing and pain-alleviation properties. Currently, emu oil is commercially available for topical and oral administration, marketed as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant formulation with reparative properties. A limited number of clinical trials have shown indications of efficacy for topically-applied emu oil. More recently, well-controlled pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of orally-administered emu oil in inflammatory intestinal disorders. Consequently, emu oil could form an adjunct to conventional treatment approaches for disorders affecting the gastrointestinal system.