Hi again!
How have you been? I have to admit, I laughed out loud when I read
your question – not at your question, exactly, but at emus! Have you
ever seen one? They’re enormous and kind of funny looking, and their
name is lots of fun to say out loud. ("Eeeemooooo!", says my six
year-old.)
These are emus:
Emus
http://www.e-oilproducts.com/assets/images/imgEOPemu2.jpg
Aside from being funny looking, emus are remarkably useful creatures.
Their feathers are soft and warm, which makes for lovely pillows and
duvets, their meat is rich in protein and vitamins and is very lean.
They’re also the source of a substance called emu oil (also called
kalaya), which has found favor in skin moisturizing treatments and
treatments for dandruff, psoriasis, a number of scalp irritations, and
in the treatment of things like arthritis!
According to the Material Safety Data Sheet for emu oil, the substance
is:
-- ingestible, with no known side effects
-- non-toxic
-- non-irritating
-- non-allergenic
It’s used as an “anti-inflammatory agent, pain-reducing agent,
transdermal carrier, emollient in cosmetic preparations”.
MSDS – Emu Oil
http://www.e-oilproducts.com/html/msds.html
Emu oil apparently possesses some rather amazing properties:
“Emu oil can:
-- penetrate through and condition multiple layers of skin
-- reduce swelling and muscle soreness
-- heal burns, wounds, injuries, minor cuts and scratches
-- prevent and reduce scarring by enhancing the skin's growth activity
-- improve condition and rate of growth of hair, skin and nails
-- soothe discomfort from sunburns, insect bites, acne, eczema and
rashes
-- help skin to withstand colder climates.
Characteristics of emu oil:
-- anti-bacterial
-- a low irritant
-- anti-inflammatory
-- non-comedogenic (will not clog pores).
-- low irritating potential
-- enhances growth of skin
-- stimulates hair follicles to proliferate and grow
-- has a natural SPF that enhances sunscreens
-- can be taken orally, ingested and injected”
Uses and Benefits of Emu Oil
http://www.e-oilproducts.com/html/about_emu_oil.html
"You can use it on small joints - small areas of the body that are
aching (muscle and/or joint pains). You rub it in and I've observed
myself that within just a few minutes you experience relief. I have a
little bursitis in the knuckles every once in a while. I rub in a
little oil and within five minutes all the pain is gone."
This pharmacist has them coming back for more -- emu oil that is
http://www.e-oilproducts.com/html/article4.html
“Emu oil can:
• aid in the treatment of acne,
eczema, psoriasis and
other skin diseases
• enhance the activity of
skin cells to bring back the glow of youth
• thicken and replenish skin to reduce wrinkles and signs of aging
• help protect your skin from sunburn and provide sunburn relief
• create a natural shampoo that conditions and revitalizes hair
• eliminate itchy, flaky scalp
• moisturize cracked, dry skin and chapped lips.”
A New Life With New Skin
http://www.skinfirst.com/
Two more interesting articles from the same source:
Caring for your Hair and Scalp
http://www.skinfirst.com/html/scalp_hair.html
Problems with Acne or Eczema?
http://www.skinfirst.com/html/acne_eczema.html
The Emu Oil Institute discusses the benefits of using emu oil for your
hair and scalp:
“Michael Hollick, MD, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Physiology, and
Dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine conducted a study
involving emu oil and hair growth. His study found that there was a
20% increase in growth activity of skin that received emu oil,
compared to skin that received corn oil. Looking at the hair
follicles, Dr. Hollick realized they were much more robust, the skin
thickness was remarkably increased, suggesting that emu oil stimulated
skin growth and hair growth. Additionally, the study showed that over
80% of hair follicles that had been "asleep" were woken up, and began
growing.”
EMU OIL INSTITUTE - Emu Oil for Hair Loss
http://www.emu-oil.com/HairLoss.htm
“Since hair can definitely grow back, even after years of extensive
hair loss, those who suffer from alopecia areata may want to try Emu
Oil on the sleeping hair follicles. Emu Oil contains a multitude of
EFA's which help to "feed" the skin. Consumers who suffer from
natural forms of baldness have reported hair regrowth. The good news
in these reports is that Emu Oil helps stimulate and awaken the
sleeping hair follicle. Since Alopecia Areata only suppresses the
hair follicle (vs. killing the hair follicle), Emu Oil may have an
effect to assist with hair regrowth. Applying Emu Oil topically, as
well as ingesting Emu Oil gel caps may give the hair follicle the
EFA's needed for good health and hair regrowth.”
EMU OIL INSTITUTE - Emu Oil for Alopecia Areata
http://www.emu-oil.com/alopeciaareata.htm
Answers4Hair alludes to a clinical study on its product page, but
doesn't provide a link to the actual study:
“At the Boston University Medical Center , Michael Holick and his
research team confirmed numerous beneficial properties of Emu Oil,
including the promotion and acceleration of skin cell regeneration and
even the stimulation of hair growth.”
100% Pure Emu Oil / Emu Oil Shampoo / Emu Oil Conditioner
http://www.answers4hair.com/productinfo2/7.htm
“According to clinical studies in Australia and the U.S, emu oil is
an excellent anti-inflammatory agent that can rejuvenate skin cells
and produce up to 80% in healthy hair growth.
[…]
Consumers should be careful not to confuse Emu oil as an agent that
can grow hair. To the best of our knowledge, Emu oil has not been
clinically tested to its effectiveness in slowing down male pattern
baldness or promoting hair growth. It appears that most testings
conducted in Australia and the US only confirm Emu oil's effectiveness
in promoting healthy growth of existing hair.”
EMU OIL MAY BE THE ANWSER TO INFLAMMATION INDUCED HAIR LOSS
http://www.hairsite.com/library/abst-34.htm
“The anti-aging factor in emu oil was suggested in a study at the
Boston University School of Medicine in which a processed emu oil
known as Kalaya was topically applied to depilated mice in a for a
two-week-long period in a double-blind study comparison to corn oil.
The processed emu oil produced a 20% increase in DNA synthesis in the
mouse skin to which it was applied. Hair follicles were much more
robust and the skin thickness had increased. Dr. Michael Holick, MD,
Ph.D. who conducted these tests said they also discovered that 80% of
telogen resting hair follicles were activated and began growing hair.
However, this information has not been published in any peer reviewed
medical journal and so the details of the study have not been exposed
to scrutiny by other dermatologists.”
How can emu oil be used to treat baldness ?
http://www.keratin.com/ac/baldnesstreatments/emuoil/002emuoilbaldnessuse.shtml
“SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has now been found that effective treatment of various skin and
hair loss conditions can be achieved with compositions that include an
effective amount of emu oil or a biologically active fraction thereof.
It has been discovered that application of emu oil can: stimulate the
proliferation of cells in mammalian skin tissue, stimulate
melanogenesis in mammalian skin tissue, and stimulate hair follicle
development and growth in mammalian skin tissue.
[…]
A third aspect of the present invention generally involves enhancing
hair follicle development and growth in mammalian skin tissue by
contacting the skin tissue with emu oil or a biologically active
fraction thereof. Alopecia, the disease of hair loss, may arise from
various causes. In each instance, individual hairs cannot complete
their normal hair cycle to reach the telogen state. In order to
decrease baldness and accelerate hair generation, it is necessary to
bring the hair follicles from the telogen state into the normal anagen
state. It has now been found that hair growth is stimulated by
administering to a mammal emu oil or a biologically active fraction
thereof. This aspect of the present invention has particular utility
in the promotion PAGE 5 Pat. No. 5744128, * of new hair growth or
stimulation of the rate of hair growth, e.g., following
chemotherapeutic treatment or for treating a form of alopecia, e.g.,
male pattern baldness and female hair loss.”
Patent: Use of Emu Oil for Stimulating Skin and Hair Growth
http://www.follicle.com/section3/3_7_1.html
In addition to topical remedies, emu oil has some health benefits if
you ingest it:
“Emu Oil contains both Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids:
Omega-3 fatty acids are good for the heart. The omega-3 oils increase
the concentrations of good cholesterol (high density lipoproteins,
HDL) while decreasing the concentrations of bad cholesterol
(triglycerides). In addition, eating omega-3-rich food will result in
a moderate decrease in total cholesterol level.
Omega-6, or Linoleic acid, is a colorless to straw-colored, liquid,
polyunsaturated fatty acid. Linoleic and another fatty acid,
gamma-linolenic, or gamolenic, produce prostaglandins. Prostaglandins
are substances that are found in every cell, are needed for the body's
overall health maintenance, and must be replenished constantly.
Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, which means that the body
cannot produce it, so it must be obtained in the diet.
Linoleic acid is an important fatty acid, especially for the growth
and development of infants. Fatty acids help to maintain the health of
cell membranes, improve nutrient use, and establish and control
cellular metabolism. They also provide the raw materials that help in
the control of blood pressure, blood clotting, inflammation, body
temperature, and other body functions.”
What Is Emu Oil?
http://www.emu-oil.com/whatis.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It would appear that emu oil is a popular treatment for hair loss!
One caveat: I’ve not been able to locate a single article in MedLine,
PubMed or EBSCO Medical Publications databases that show any
scientific evidence of the effectiveness of emu oil for aiding in hair
re-growth. Studies mentioned in the articles above are not official
FDA studies, so take them with a grain of salt.
I called a former employer, Patricia Bassett of Bassett’s Health
Foods, and asked her opinion of emu oil and whether or not it would
cause you troubles. She said it might not do everything some
manufacturers claim (for instance, she doesn’t know if it will re-grow
hair), but it’s not going to hurt you. Because the oil penetrates
skin quickly and is not sticky, there is no danger of it clogging up
your hair follicles or weighing down your hair.
She tells me you will see benefits from using emu oil, namely a
decrease - or even complete absence - of dandruff, excellent
moisturizing of both your hair and your scalp, and a definite
improvement in your hair’s elasticity and shine. Emu oil is an
excellent conditioner and has the added bonus that it *does not* react
with other products, so it’s perfectly safe to use in conjunction with
your Rogaine.
Its soothing and moisturizing properties should help alleviate the
irritation you’ve previously mentioned, as well as keep your hair
shiny and strong.
I hope you’ve found the information helpful. As always, if you need
further assistance, just ask and I’ll be happy to help!
--Missy
Search terms: [ “emu oil” hair loss ], [ kalaya ] |
