Emu oil comes from the fat of the emu bird. The oil may have various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve arthritis symptoms.

Emus are a species of flightless birds native to Australia. Farmers raise them to provide meat, leather, and oil.

Emu oil comes from a thick layer of fat on the bird’s back. Manufacturers refine the fat into an oil for cosmetics and health products.

This article explores the potential health benefits of emu oil and how it may help relieve arthritis symptoms.

Inflammatory arthritis is a group of arthritis conditions that cause symptoms such as:

  • joint pain and swelling
  • warmth in the joints
  • stiffness in the morning

These symptoms can cause prolonged pain and discomfort for people with this chronic disease.

Using emu oil may be an effective way to help lower the pain and swelling from arthritis.

Emu oil has potential anti-inflammatory benefits

Emu oil may have anti-inflammatory benefits when applied topically to the skin. A 2021 study found that topical use of emu oil can relieve symptoms of inflammatory arthritis, including joint pain and swelling.

Topical use of emu oil may also have other benefits:

  • an antipruritic for itch relief, though strong evidence is lacking
  • an antioxidant to protect your body from free radicals, or atoms that can cause cell damage
  • a moisturizer for dry skin
  • a penetration enhancer to increase the absorption of the oil and topical medications

People most commonly use emu oil as a topical treatment (applied to the skin) for arthritis relief. The oil is also available as a carrier oil.

Carrier oils are base oils that can dilute essential oils before you apply them to your skin. Diluting an essential oil can lower some of its potency or strength.

Emu oil taken orally has shown anti-inflammatory properties in mice for gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease. However, additional studies are necessary to determine whether oral consumption of emu oil can provide anti-inflammatory relief for people with arthritis.

Emu oil has not been tested in everyone, so certain groups should avoid it. If you are pregnant or nursing, speak with a healthcare professional or lactation consultant to discuss safer alternatives to emu oil.

Children should also not take any form of emu oil.

Before using emu oil for arthritis, talk with your doctor to ensure the oil is safe to use for your health conditions and won’t cause any side effects.

Although emu oil is available at most major retailers, look for companies that ethically source it, such as American Emu Association (AEA) Certified Business Members.

AEA members have agreed to follow ethical business practices to source emu oil to ensure consumers receive emu oil that’s certified refined, pure, and unadulterated (not mixed or diluted).

Also, when seeking emu oil for arthritis symptom relief, look for products containing unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic and linolenic acids.

Unsaturated fatty acids can lower inflammation in many chronic diseases, including arthritis. There isn’t enough scientific evidence yet to determine how much emu oil is necessary for arthritis relief.

Until more research is available, follow the instructions provided on the packaging of your emu oil.

Emu oil is a natural oil that comes from the fat of an emu bird. Some research suggests that this oil, whether applied topically or taken orally, may offer anti-inflammatory benefits that can help alleviate common arthritis symptoms, including joint pain and swelling.

While naturally refined emu oil is generally considered safe, there isn’t enough research to conclude that children should take it or that those who are pregnant or nursing can take it safely.

Speak with your doctor before trying this potential treatment for arthritis or other conditions.