Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Emu oil has a long history of traditional use by Indigenous Australians for various skin conditions, including dermatitis. More recently, it has attracted scientific interest due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. Several laboratory and animal studies suggest that emu oil may help reduce inflammation and promote wound healing when applied topically. For example, a 2012 study in the journal "Inflammopharmacology" found that emu oil reduced inflammation in mice with experimentally induced dermatitis. Additionally, emu oil contains a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, which may help repair the skin barrier and alleviate dryness associated with dermatitis.

However, the clinical evidence in humans is limited. A small number of pilot studies and case reports have described improvements in skin hydration, reduction of itch, and decreased inflammation in patients with eczema or dermatitis after topical application of emu oil. Nonetheless, these studies often lack rigorous controls, have small sample sizes, or are not double-blinded. No large-scale randomized controlled trials have definitively established the efficacy of emu oil for dermatitis in humans. As such, while there is preliminary scientific support and a plausible mechanism of action, the overall quality and quantity of clinical evidence is low, resulting in a moderate evidence rating.

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