EMU OIL
From The Piercing Bible
For the care of healing and troubled piercings, emu oil has proved itself superior to all the other products I’ve advocated throughout my career. Yes, emu, as in the big flightless bird. Aboriginal people in Australia have used emu oil on wounds for centuries. Today it is used by massage therapists, dermatologists, other medical practitioners, and piercers, for its anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and wound-healing properties. I believe emu oil is safe and effective enough that it could become the norm for post-piercing care, at least among non-vegetarians. I know I’ve advised against miracle products, but if there is such a thing, in my opinion, emu oil is it.
Emu oil is safe even for use inside the mouth, and no, it doesn’t taste like dead bird, or like anything at all. A natural food by-product, high-quality emu oil is odorless and tasteless. It is considered hypoallergenic, and I haven’t witnessed any negative responses to it. No adverse reactions or toxicity have been reported in the scientific literature.1 Laboratory studies show that emu oil has anti-inflammatory properties2, and in its pure state, emu oil is bacteriostatic (restricts the growth and activity of microorganisms).3
Emu oil is high in essential fatty acids and keeps your skin moisturized. This establishes favorable conditions: healing is three to five times faster and less painful in a moist environment. Pure emu oil does not clog pores, and it does not prevent air circulation like petroleum-based products. The emollients help keep secretions from drying and adhering to the skin or jewelry, which cuts down on crusting, trauma, and discomfort. Even though it is called “oil,” it is more like a lotion. It rubs in well and does not leave a greasy residue. Emu oil feels extremely soothing the instant you put it on. These pleasant attributes help to encourage regular applications.
The emu oil I used for many years can be purchased below, and your order will be filled by Desert Palms Emu Ranch; they do ship internationally.
• Update July 2015: Since the beginning of this year I have been eating a vegan diet, and emu oil was the very last animal product I used--and the most difficult to give up by far. I began to live a fully vegan lifestyle this June. Quitting emu oil was way harder than letting go of anything dietary; even more difficult than giving up cheese! I haven't found a plant-based product that comes remotely close to replacing emu oil, but I'm sill looking.... For those who don't mind using an animal product, I have to say that emu oil really is fantastic for use on piercings and other wounds, skin irritation, bug bites or stings, dryness, and more.