Production

• Fat is extracted from the backs of emus and finely ground. Clay or water is added, and the concoction is distilled to remove odors. Essential oils including lavender, rosemary and ceder wood may be added for additional therapeutic benefit.
  
  

Effects

• Various patents claim the efficacy of emu oil in hair regrowth, and tout its ability to increase the rate of growth overall. A study conducted by Dr. Michael Holick, of the Boston University School of Medicine, demonstrated that hair of mice visibly improved in thickness and length within a 24-hour period when emu oil was applied to their skin. He suggested that similar results would be observed in humans, but this is not substantiated by further studies.
  
  

Time Frame

• Dr. Holick's animal studies suggest that damaged hair may grow up to 20 percent faster than an individual's baseline rate when treated with emu oil. Additionally, 80 percent of hairs currently in a state of dormancy may resume growth. These rates will vary by individual, and no human studies are available. Determining an exact rate is not possible until further research is conducted.