History of the Emu Bird and Emu Oil
The history of the emu and emu oil is a pretty amazing story.
Here are some facts about this bird from ‘The Land of Down Under’.
The emu is a prehistoric bird from over 80 million years ago. It’s the largest bird in Australia and related to the Ostrich.
They can reach heights of 5 to 6 feet with very long legs. They can’t fly but run up to 40 miles per hour and are excellent swimmers. Known for their strong immune systems, they could rapidly heal from most injuries.
The emu bird is native to Australia and have provided meat and clothing for the Aborigines for thousands of years.
Emu meat is extremely healthy and low in fat. Many consider it a healthy alternative to beef. The hides can be tanned and used for clothing. The beaks and toenails were often used for jewelry.
Emus have a thick fat pocket found on their backs. It protected the emu from the intense heat and sun found in the Australian Outback.
The Birth of a Healthy Skin Oil
The history of the emu shows that emu oils formed a large part of Aboriginal medicine.
The aborigines would drape the skins of emu from trees and heat from the sun would melt the oil out.
The oil was collected and used for a variety of purposes. The aborigines learned emu oil made an excellent balm for treating bruises, muscle aches, burns, cuts, inflamed joints and arthritic pain.
Some other uses for emu oil include using it as a natural moisturizer and sunscreen to protect their skin from the harsh sun and wind.
Rumor has it an Australian doctor discovered emu oil from his travels through the Outback. He was so amazed at its healing abilities that he brought samples back to civilization for further study.
The Emu – A Big Bird with Big Potential
Nowadays these unique birds are raised in farms in the United States, Canada, and around the world.
Emu meat is widely served in many upscale restaurants. It has more protein per serving than beef and turkey, and is also lower in fat.
It’s 97% fat-free and most emu meat is steroid, hormone, and antibiotic-free.
Emu meat is also high in iron and vitamin B12 and low in calories and cholesterol.
The potential for this unique bird is unlimited. The oil from the emu has the interest of pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and health stores.
While research is limited, many emu oil studies show it may help reduce inflammation, promote wound healing and boost the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
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