MSM/Emu ol cream for arthritis

[dibbles]

I tried this and personally didn’t have any benefit. YMMV though.

 

[Misschief]

Thanks, @Mobjack Bay for reviving this thread because I hadn't seen it before. I've got terrible arthritis in my fingers (and other joints) that makes it increasingly difficult every year to do all the normal things I always took for granted. I've used MSM/glucosamine/chondroitin supplements with very limited success.

Now I'm wondering if topical MSM might be helpful? And if it is, could the powder be added to lotion bars rather than liquid lotion? I make my LBs with meadowfoam oil that might be a good vehicle for the MSM instead of emu oil.

MSM is not oil soluble.

 

[Kcryss]

I've made it a number of times for people I know with arthritis. I do infuse MCT oils with Eucalyptus, lavender, sage, rosemary, capsaicin, white willow bark, and chamomile. The last few batches I've made I also added CBD.

Zany is no longer around.

 

[Feelin' Soapy]

Thanks, @Misschief !

 

[Mommawolfe]

Not quite necroposting...

Thanks for sharing this recipe @Zany_in_CO

Can anyone fill me in on the how it works/why use this particular combination? I can't find much of anything online about using topical MSM for arthritis, dosing, etc. but I am still considering giving the recipe a try for the arthritis in my hands. Are there any usage recommendations or product(s) with a similar amount of MSM that is sold commercially? I couldn't find an ingredient list for the Blue-Emu product.

I read something about emu oil having excellent skin penetrating qualities and went down that rabbit hole for a bit. From what I could understand in the papers I read, skin penetration of the oils we use in body products is tied to the size of the molecule (for example, essential oils, especially terpenes, will absorb fast compared with triglycerides) and/or the ability of the molecule to disrupt the skin lipid barrier. Also based on limited research, the kinky polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) linoleic acid and linolenic acid may be better at disrupting skin lipids compared with the straight chain saturated FAs. If I'm way off track here, someone please save me!

If skin penetration of emu oil is mostly about the high percentage of PUFAs, I may try subbing another oil or oil combo in for the emu oil and add a bit of calendula, rosemary +/or other plant infusions to boost the anti-inflammatory effects (see below).

In case anyone is interested, a recent research paper describes emu oil as follows:

"Emu oil was shown to have a low acid and peroxide value, low amounts of carotenoid and phenolic compounds, and high doses of oleic acid and linoleic acid...
Moreover, the presence of minor components, such as chlorophylls, phenolics, or carotenoids, endows emu oil with excellent anti-inflammatory effects via a significant reduction in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF- and IL-1... it can be used in cosmetics and oil-based pharmaceuticals for external use, primarily on account of its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects."

With this fatty acid composition:
Stearic acid 9%
Palmitic acid 26%
Oleic acid 46% (omega-9; MUFA)
Linoleic acid 14% (omega-6; PUFA)
Linolenic acid 0.4% (omega-3; PUFA)
Palmitoleic acid 4% (omega-7; MUFA)
plus some other FAs in small quantities

edited: I found the ingredient list for Blue-Emu:
Water, Emu Oil, Mineral Oil, Glycerin, Dimethyl Sulfone (MSM), Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Acrylates/Acrylamide Copolymer, Polysorbate 85, Cholecalciferol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Extract, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey Root) Extract, Zanthoxylum Alatum Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Glucosamine HCl, Triethanolamine, Oleyl Alcohol, Ethoxydiglycol, FD&C Blue 1.

The instructions for use are: For best results, apply liberally 2-3 times daily for 2 weeks and then as needed.

I don't make "emu" pain cream, but I do make a magnesium and arnica oil cream. I use a USA made organic cream base (I buy it by the gallon here in PA), and mix 20% arnica oil and 20% mg oil, and a few other ingredients to thicken, etc, and an essential oil blend specifically for pain. I jar it up in 2 and 4 ounce jars. I swear by it, as do many other people. I originally started making it because a close friend lost his supplier and asked me to make it. I am always up for a challenge

 

[Vicki Carr]

I've made it a number of times for people I know with arthritis. I do infuse MCT oils with Eucalyptus, lavender, sage, rosemary, capsaicin, white willow bark, and chamomile. The last few batches I've made I also added CBD.

Zany is no longer around.

Hi, I make zany recipe and I really like it. Could you up the MSM powder in it?

I don't make "emu" pain cream, but I do make a magnesium and arnica oil cream. I use a USA made organic cream base (I buy it by the gallon here in PA), and mix 20% arnica oil and 20% mg oil, and a few other ingredients to thicken, etc, and an essential oil blend specifically for pain. I jar it up in 2 and 4 ounce jars. I swear by it, as do many other people. I originally started making it because a close friend lost his supplier and asked me to make it. I am always up for a challenge

How would you care to share your recipe with me?

 

[Misschief]

Hi, I make zany recipe and I really like it. Could you up the MSM powder in it?

In the first post of this thread, Zany writes:

"After a bit of research, I later tweaked the formula to contain the optimum amount of MSM (10% of water weight) and Emu Oil (7%) for effectiveness."