Doctor Dan Dean, of Shepard, Mich., routinely recommends emu oil to his patients at risk of skin sores and ulcerations, (diabetics, convalescents, and patients with poor circulation). He notes that with a typical third-degree burn or skin abrasions, emu oil cuts healing time by almost half.
A doctor who specializes in dermatologic surgery and cosmetic dermatology in Houston, uses emu oil on her worst cases - serious burns, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, etc. She has been extremely pleased with the results. She admits she was at first skeptical about the benefits of emu oil. Her treatments embrace acute skin care problems, including burns, skin disease, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, as well as anti-aging and general skin improvement treatments. Her patients tell her the oil brings immediate relief, speeds healing, and keeps skin from scarring .
Dr. Thom Leahey of the Arthritis Clinic in Ardmore, Okla., has been studying emu oils' anti-inflammatory properties. A two-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of arthritis patients revealed that seven of the 12 emu oil users reported significant reduction of pain, morning stiffness, and swelling vs. one of the eight placebo users.
Dr. Elton J. Lormand, who has conducted research at the Advanced ENT and Facial Surgery Institute in Cullman, Ala., has seen the difference in patients using emu oil and in those who don't. After viewing the contrast in the skin condition between the two groups, he advised researchers to take a closer look at emu oil. He has seen patients apply emu oil prior to radiation treatment and even ingest it to cover the mucosal surfaces during head and neck radiation treatments. While the doctor gave them no specific instructions and would not recommend ingestion due to lack of research, he commented on the apparent lessening of radiation burns, even to the mucosal surfaces.
Scientists at Boston University Medical Center and Auburn University have concluded that emu oil's anti-inflammatory properties relieve pain in some forms of arthritis and lupus, as well as muscle and joint stiffness.
Dr. John Griswold, of the Harner Burn Center in Lubbock, Texas, believes that emu oil may revolutionize the treatment of burn victims because of the oil's ability to generate new skin cells so quickly. His long-term study also found a statistically significant difference in scar reduction and inflammation in emu oil-treated wounds.
Dr. William Code, in his initial research combining emu oil, spearmint oil, and lidocaine, found that the mixture produced a reduction in sensation to the skin, which surpassed another combination of local anesthetics without emu oil. The emu oil compound proved to reduce sensitivity in a safe, fast, and effective way for procedures such as suturing or giving injections.
Julie Brumlik is the co-owner of the patent on emu oil and Lidocaine, which she invented along with Dr. Dan Rivlin, head of dermatopathology at Miami's Mt. Sinai Hospital and a professor at the University of Miami Medical School. They invented and patented the product a couple of years ago, and it is in line for FDA approval as a compound. Chronic pain management specialists are excited about this research. Peer review papers have been published by the Society of American Oil Chemists. The effect of the compound lasts approximately 20 minutes. The patient maintains consciousness, but temporarily loses sensation where the mixture is applied. It is the only penetrating topical anesthesia that will work anywhere on the body, including gingival membranes. It also can be used on sunburn or sore muscles.
Dr. Thomas Samaras, a physician in Virginia Beach, Va., is impressed with the efficacy of pure emu oil for the treatment of arthritis and eczema. His own son suffered for two years from eczema behind his knees. Applying emu oil regularly to the area cleared up the condition within 10 days. Dr. Samaras has also seen significant improvement in a patient with degenerative arthritis and chronic torticollis (constant neck muscle spasms) by using emu oil on the neck. "I expect that emu oil will continue to play an important role in my therapeutic armamentarium in the future," Dr. Samaras said.
Dr. Mary Bean, a dentist in Lutherville, Md., said, "I've practiced dentistry since 1979 and developed CTS about six years ago from repetitive motion and the constant restriction of wearing gloves 40-plus hours a week. I had carpal tunnel surgery in 2000 on both hands and was back in my office for light duties the day after suture removal. I applied emu oil to the incision sites twice daily, and they are now minimally visible. Having a fantastic surgeon was very important, but I believe the emu oil hastened healing and minimized scarring. Now symptom-free, I use emu oil to keep my hands moisturized and my skin healthy."
Linda Barrett, a registered nurse, had a basal cell carcinoma removed from the perioral area between the base of her nose and her upper lip. "My husband, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, performed the excisional biopsy. I had to keep the area covered for a week until the stitches were removed. Thereafter, I kept it moist with emu oil. My primary goal was to keep it moist for the duration of work, and I knew the emu oil would do that; however, the major secondary gain from the use of the emu oil was the rapid healing of the site. The continued use of the emu oil seems to have accelerated the resolution of scar tissue. Neither the line of incision or the suture area are visible."
Dr. Marlin Dimond, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon in Glendale, AZ, has seen first hand the healing abilities of emu oil on a double masectomony patient that used emu oil on her incisions. Because she healed so quickly with minimal scarring, it put her 3-4 weeks ahead of schedule for reconstruction. The patient claimed she could not have survived the by-weekly injections to fill in her extenders to stretch the skin in preparation for permanent implants without the aid of emu oil to keep her skin elastic and moist.
Dr. Scott Wasserman of Scottsdale, AZ practices natural alternatives to traditional medicines. He uses and believes in the benefits of emu oil.Emu oil is being studied by universities, research centers, and hospitals in the United States and abroad. It's hydrating, regenerative, lubricating, anti-inflammatory, and pain relieving properties make it the logical topic of study for an ever-broadening range of conditions.