Side effects of Emu Oil

Side Effects of Emu Oil

Emu oil appears to be well tolerated by many people when used topically, but the available safety research in humans is limited. The absence of large numbers of reported adverse effects should not be interpreted to mean that every emu oil product is completely risk-free.

Possible Skin Reactions

As with any cosmetic oil or skin-care ingredient, irritation or an individual sensitivity is possible. People with sensitive or reactive skin may want to apply a small amount to a limited area before using emu oil more extensively.

A small human patch-test study involving commercially available emu oil did not find significant sensitization after a single application, which is reassuring, but the study was small and does not guarantee that every formulation will produce the same result.

If a product causes persistent redness, itching, burning, swelling or another unexpected reaction, discontinue use.

Using Emu Oil on Damaged Skin

Emu oil is often marketed for burns, wounds and irritated skin, but it should not automatically be applied to infected wounds, significant burns or unexplained skin lesions.

Research on wound healing remains limited and has produced differing results depending on the experimental model. A moisturizing oil is not a substitute for proper wound or burn care.

Oral Emu Oil and Capsules

Much less is known about the long-term safety of taking emu oil orally than about using it on the skin. Although animal toxicology studies have not identified major toxicity signals under the conditions studied, adequate human clinical studies have not established an optimal oral dose or long-term safety profile.

Some commercial emu oil supplements are sold in capsule form, but their availability should not be interpreted as evidence that they are necessary or beneficial for a particular medical condition.

Emu Oil and Blood-Thinning Medications

Older descriptions of emu oil sometimes state that it acts as a “blood thinner.” Current clinical evidence is not sufficient to establish emu oil capsules as an anticoagulant medication or to define a clinically important interaction with blood-thinning drugs.

Nevertheless, anyone taking prescription medication and considering an oral supplement for a medical purpose should check for potential interactions rather than assuming that an animal-derived oil is automatically inert.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Reliable safety information for medicinal or supplemental use of emu oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding is lacking. The medically reviewed emu oil monograph at Drugs.com advises avoiding medicinal use during pregnancy and lactation because adequate safety information is unavailable.

Product Quality Matters

Emu oil products can differ in refining, purity and additional ingredients. A reaction may sometimes be caused by fragrances, preservatives or other components of a cosmetic formulation rather than the emu oil itself.

For pure emu oil, clearly labeled and properly refined products are preferable to products with little information about their source or processing.

See the Emu Oil overview for more information about production, composition and quality standards.

This page provides general safety information and is not intended as individualized medical advice.