In alchemy, the oil was traditionally extracted from the yolk by a fairly simple process,[3][failed verification] by which fifty eggs yielded approximately five ounces of oil.[4] Modern methods of production include liquid–liquid extraction[5] using common solvents such as hexane,[6]petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethanol. Unlike traditional egg oil produced by heat, solvent extracted product also contains immunoglobulins,[7] which are destroyed at higher temperatures. There are only a few commercial producers globally.
Egg yolk has been used in traditional cosmetics since the eleventh century in Jewish, Greek, Arab, and Latin cultures.[9] Several popular modern cosmetic brands contain egg oil.
Hair care
Egg oil is widely used in India for hair care.[citation needed]
Skin care
Egg oil can be used as an excipient/carrier in a variety of cosmetic preparations such as creams, ointments, sun-screen products, or lotions where it acts as an emollient, moisturizer, anti-oxidant, penetration enhancer, occlusive skin conditioner, and anti-bacterial agent.[10]
Pharmaceuticals
Scabies
For treatment of scabies in Spain, oil of egg yolk was used along with oil of castor and roses[11] in ancient Andalusia.
Wounds
Egg oil was traditionally used in treating wounds and injuries.[12] In the 16th century, Ambroise Paré used a solution of egg yolk, oil of roses, and turpentine for war wounds, an old method that the Romans had discovered 1000 years before him. He published his first book The method of curing wounds caused by arquebus and firearms in 1545.
^Warren, M. W.; Brown, H. G.; Davis, D. R. (2014). "Solvent extraction of lipid components from egg yolk solids". Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 65 (7): 1136. doi:10.1007/BF02660569. S2CID83807139.