The Good Oil – Part 2: Emu

Just to set the scene, why not start by listening to John Williamson’s famous rendition of “Old Man Emu” – click here. (If you enjoyed the sound of the didgeridoo in that, you might like some solo didgeridoo music – click here.)

Strictly speaking, an emu going full speed (up to 50 km/h) couldn’t beat a large kangaroo, which can get up to 70 km/h over a short distance. But we won’t let these details spoil the story. Three weeks ago, I wrote about the amazing properties of eucalyptus oil, and promised a follow-up story. This is it – Australia’s other miracle oil.

Emu oil is extracted from the large pad of fat on the emu’s back, and is freely available in Australia.

Emu farming was a growth industry in Australia for a while, but is now on the decline. There are emu farms in China, the USA and India. Anyone who’s travelled in Outback Australia will be aware that there are plenty of feral emus out there – official estimates suggest about 700,000 – and quite a few of them ready to run out in front of your car without notice.

Emu oil contains vitamins A and E, as well as several of the essential fatty acids. It has been claimed to have beneficial effects (either ingested or applied topically) when used to treat a wide range of conditions. Some of the claims that have been made for emu oil:

• An effective moisturiser.
• It reduces cholesterol.
• It assists in weight loss.
• Helpful as a cough syrup.
• Anti-inflammatory for treating dry/rough skin, scars, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, burns.
• Temporary relief for arthritis, muscle and joint pain.
• Sooths sunburn and insect bites.
• Helps reduce pregnancy stretch marks. (You’ve never seen an emu with pregnancy stretch marks, have you? Although I wouldn’t like to have to lay those eggs either.))
• Anti-bacterial for wounds and infections.
• It promotes healthy finger and toe nail growth.

Even if you don’t have any pregnancy stretch marks, you’re almost certain to need emu oil for some other reason. Tell ‘em Bobby Dazzler sent you.