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Crocodile oil is extracted from the fatty tissues of crocodiles. Crocodile fat is a product of commercial farming, evident in Thailand. Historically, for centuries crocodile oil has been used by traditional practitioners across the globe, including Chinese traditional medicine, Southeast Asia, Ancient Egypt. Crocodile oil has been used since the nineteenth century for different purposes in different cultures. Due to the oil's components, its richness in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, it is sold as ointment for treatment of skin conditions, skin structure enhancement, collagen deposition, and medicine for illnesses. In recent times, the use of crocodile oil has invited criticism from the use of crocodile oil as there is an increased demand for cruelty-free and vegan-friendly beauty products in consumers of today's society.
Crocodile oil was also used by Ayurveda in the nineteenth century for treatment of burns. Crocodile oil use in India is recorded in other journals, specifically, the oil is prepared by the Sanif tribe of the Punjab, who eat crocodile fat. They state crocodile oil contains larger amounts of "solidifiable fat" than any fish oil. The journal also mentions the oil to be procurable in abundance in Agra. Similarly, a journal published by Royal Society of Arts in 1879 discussed the commercial value of crocodile oil as well as how the oil was used in the nineteenth century specifically in Agra, India. A Western researcher determined that crocodile oil contained a larger proportion of solid fat either cod liver or fish oils. They softened the quality of various animal oils on leather and found leather treated with crocodile oil remained stiffer compared to other natural oils. Melted fat of crocodile or crocodile oil was also recorded to be used for "gastric obstructions". Nature, in 1886, refers to the use of crocodile oil in Germany for leather dressing, prepared in Punjab and solidified at 33 degrees.
Chinese traditional medicine as well as Southeast Asian traditional medicine uses crocodile oil and products as ointments for burns and scalds. A study tested burn wound-healing efficacy of crocodile oil through a Chinese herbal medicine called crocodile oil burn ointment, consisting of crocodile oil, natural mineral and extraction of other herbal medicines by employing second-degree burns in rats and found crocodile oil enhances burn wound healing capabilities. Chinese traditional medicine uses the oil of crocodiles for other conditions such as bronchitis, allergy, skin problems, Hypertension, and cancer. Crocodile oil is also prescribed to treat burns, skin ulcers and cancer, coughs, and asthma in Madagascar. There is also evidence of crocodile oil being used traditionally in South Africa for skin condition treatments for eczema and rashes and for promoting wound healing. Crocodile oil is used in Mexico for treatment of illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, and influenza.
| +Fatty acid contents in crocodile oil !Fatty acid !% Methylated content | |
| Undedecanoate | 0.139 ± 0.092 |
| Tridecanoate | 0.017 ± 0.006 |
| Myristate | 1.156 ± 0.167 |
| Pentadecanoate | 0.250 ± 0.000 |
| Palmitoleate | 3.138 ± 0.231 |
| Palmitate | 15.436 ± 1.038 |
| Heptadecanoate | 0.476 ± 0.054 |
| Linoleate | 4.031 ± 0.776 |
| Linolelaidic | 0.161 ± 0.093 |
| Oleate | 19.593 ± 1.764 |
| Elaidate | 0.205 ± 0.086 |
| Stearate | 1.359 ± 0.738 |
| Eicosenoate | 0.051 ± 0.024 |
| Arachidate | 0.002 ± 0.002 |
| Erucate | < 0.001 |
| Lignoceric acid | 1.339 ± 0.675 |
| +Crocodile oil compared to human skin oil ! !Crocodile oil % !Human skin oil % | ||
| Palmitoleic acid (omega-7) | 6.00 | 3.80 |
| Palmitic acid | 23.00 | 20.20 |
| Myristic acid | 0.94 | 2.10 |
| Stearic acid | 6.00 | 11.20 |
| Oleic acid (omega-9) | 39.00 | 30.80 |
| Linoleic acid (omega-6) | 20.00 | 15.10 |
| α-Linolenic acid (omega-3) | 1.37 | 0.30 |
The fatty acid profile of crocodile oil indicates that the oil consists mainly of fatty acids that possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties (Kabara et al., 1972, Maroon and Bost, 2006). This study provides novel scientific evidence of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of crocodile oil, justifying its use by traditional healers. It highlighted the effects these properties may have when applied as oil or ointment on human skin. A clinical study tested the positive claims of crocodile oil in treatment of ageing skin in comparison to placebo lotion. They found crocodile oil had "good stability over 6 months period", both lotions showed an increase in skin hydration. Venter's research showed no improvement in skin scaliness and elasticity. Treatment of human skin has become very popular over the last decade. Ageing skin is characterised by wrinkles, sagging skin and decreased laxity. As a result, crocodile oil is used for skin repair to assist in skin quality and appearance as well as skin conditions. According to Croc City, crocodile oil and crocodile oil containing products currently on the market, are used for treatment of dermatitis, scrapes, acne, razor bumps, bed sores, Hemorrhoid, inflammation of Arthritis conditions, treatment of discolouration, pigmentation of skin-like brown spots, freckles, Menopause darkening, treatment of dry, flaky, itchy and ageing skin, nappy rash, athlete's foot, Tinea cruris and irritation of head skin. Crocodile oil lotion is proven to be a safe product to use on skin.
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