Emu oil appears to have anti-inflammatory activity when used topically. Emu oil is obtained from the fat of Emu birds which are found in Australia. Australian Aborigines apparently used emu oil for minor aches and pains, to heal wounds, and protect their skin. For more information on different oils.

Emu Oil research
[Anti-inflammatory activity and healing-promoting effects of topical application of emu oil on wound in scalded rats]
Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao. 2005.
To investigate the effects of topical application of emu oil on wound healing in scalded rats. METHODS: In 144 male Wistar rats with 10%; total body surface superficial II degree scald treated on a random basis with physiological saline, povidone iodine and emu oil, respectively, the changes of the wound were observed and the wound tissue and blood samples harvested at different times after injury for evaluation of histopathological changes, total tissue water content (measured by wet:dry weight ratios), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels in the wound tissue and plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Emu oil has topical anti-inflammatory activity in rats with superficial II degree scald, possibly in association with decreased levels of the proinflammatory cytokines in the tissues and can promote wound healing by inhibiting local secondary inflammation.

Effect of emu oil on auricular inflammation induced with croton oil in mice.
Am J Vet Res. 1999.
To determine the acute anti-inflammatory effects of topically applied emu oil. CONCLUSION: Topically applied emu oil significantly reduced severity of acute auricular inflammation induced by croton oil in mice.

Promotion of second intention wound healing by emu oil lotion: comparative results with furasin, polysporin, and cortisone.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998.
Previous studies showed that twice-daily application of emu oil lotion (mixture of emu oil/fat, vitamin E, and botanical oil) immediately after creation of full-thickness skin defects delayed wound healing 6 days later, perhaps owing to its antiinflammatory actions. If administration was delayed for 48 hours, a two-fold promotion of wound contraction, epithelialization, and infiltration of organized granulation tissue was observed. In the present study, emu oil lotion was applied to full-thickness skin defects in rodents 24 hours after surgery. Six days postoperatively, wound contraction and infiltration of fronts of epithelialized and granulation tissue were assessed. Results indicated a two-fold promotion of all of the above parameters with emu oil lotion. No such effects were exerted by pure emu oil, furasin, cortaid, or polysporin. Data obtained indicate promise for emu oil lotion as an aid in treating full-thickness skin defects if applied after the major postinflammatory stages of wound healing have transpired.

Emu oil supplement emails
Q. I'm new to your website, and I love it! I really like to research products, but sometimes it's hard to get around all the misinformation. There seems to be a lot of research taking place on the following: pure Emu oil: wound healing, antibacterial, hair loss, muscle pain.
   A. The only studies I could find are the ones listed above where emu oil used topically was found to have anti-inflammatory activity.