How do you extract emu oil from an emu?
The use of emu oil was first discovered in 1786 in Darwin, Australia. Renowned Swiss Dr. Whitfenstein discovered it while making emu soup. He forgot about the soup for several hours and came back to find that a thick, gelatenous substance had risen to the surface. Whitfenstein tasted the material, and finding it utterly repugnant, threw it out at once. He did notice, however, that the residue left on his lip was quite soothing, and he salvaged some of this “oil” for further experimentation. He was able to solidify the oil by mixing it in melted bee propolyn, which he kept in a glass jar and used to mitigate the burning effects of the harsh Australian sun. Whitfenstein continued processing emu oil by boiling the fatty tissues of the bird found concentrated in the lymphatic glands and fatty tissues of the breast and thighs. Today, emu’s are grown commercially for their meat and several small businesses are continuing to take advantage of this benificial by-product.
