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Kunzea: “The smell of the Australian bush”
- Ann De Corte
- Jan 23
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
I had never heard of Kunzea (Kunzea ambigua) before my trip to Australia last November. During my one-month visit, my Australian friend Maria Goodall (from my aromatherapy class Aromatic Studies with Jade Shutes), recommended me buying this fairly new essential oil. So of course, I bought it, together with Lemon Myrtle (see previous blogpost), Eucalyptus Lemon (Eucalyptus Citriodora), Eucalyptus Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus), and Eucalyptus Peppermint (Eucalyptus dives). Maria had used it many times to help her clients with arthritis. Coincidence or not, my host in an Airbnb in Eden, NSW (New South Wales) was using this Kunzea pain relief cream daily for his knee. Eden is situated halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, and 3.5 hours away from the capital Canberra. With these new insights, I was motivated to create with this amazing essential oil. Even just smelling straight from the bottle helps me to calm down and center.
Kunzea is part of the Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family) and native to Eastern Australia. It exclusively grows on Aussie soil. Other names are White Cloud, Poverty Bush, Tasmanian Spring Flower and Tick Bush (early settlers learned that native animals slept under the plant to rid themselves of ticks). There are over 60 varieties of Kunzea but not all of these have been made into individual oils.
How does the Kunzea plant look like, what is the method of extraction and from what plant material?
Are you asking yourself these questions when you are smelling a new essential oil?
Kunzea was discovered in the early 1800's, but it was only until the early 1990's that it was commercialized and named. (around the same time as Fragonia oil)
Kunzea oil is made through steam distillation from the leaves of a shrub or small tree which flowers are arranged in clusters near the ends of the branches.
It has a clean, fresh medicinal aroma: eucalyptus with background spicy, woody and sweet notes of the Tasmanian bush.
The woody aroma of the oil works well with citrus, floral and spicy undertones to create blends that can make you feel calm and peaceful. So far, I am very happy to have blended it with Lemon Myrtle, Lavender, and Geranium.
Kunzea essential oil has similar properties than Tea Tree essential oil and is therefore beneficial used as a rub or inhaled with steam to clear the airways and support your respiratory system
Kunzea has many benefits with its antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, soothing and decongesting properties
Helps relieve nervous tension, stress and mild anxiety.
Helps ease the pain from insect bites, minor burns, recurring shingles.
Helps healing the skin, eczema, dermatitis, under nail infections and skin ulcers.
Helps relief symptoms of influenza/flu, headaches & migraines.
Helps clearing the airways (Alpha-Pinene and 1,8 Cineole (aka Eucalyptol).
Helps relief muscular aches and pains, helps rapid repair of soft tissue injuries including strains, sprains, and bruises.
Temporary relief of the pain of rheumatism.
Temporary relief of the pain of arthritis.
It is relatively safe to use topically as it is largely considered a non-irritant.
So far, I have used Kunzea in hand creams, salves, bath salts, roll-ons, massage oils & lotion bars. (I can’t believe I already used it in so many products, must be that I love it, ha!).
For my recipes, I love including my own herbal infused oils such as Comfrey, St. John’s wort, Lavender & Eucalyptus. It makes a world of difference if one can just make everything from scratch to be able to experience & enjoy the level of creativity.
Below you can find the recipe for the nourishing hand cream. I decided to mix 50% shea butter with 50% coconut oil + my own infused herbal oils for a smooth feel to the skin.
My morning routine consists of applying some of the cream to my hands and inhale the citrusy & uplifting aroma. I believe that not only my skin is being helped but also my emotional imbalance. I feel more at peace, balanced and ready to start my day.
This hand cream could also easily be used as a body cream because it feels so soft and nourishing. I also use it sometimes after a shower or a bath. What I often do is, after applying it to my hands, put a little bit on my neck and cheeks and inhale & breathe deeply.
RECIPE OF THE NOURISHING HAND CREAM
2 cups of Shea butter
1 cup of Coconut oil
½ cup of Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) infused herbal oil, ½ cup of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) infused herbal oil
12 drops of vitamin E-oil
75 drops of Lavandin (Lavandin abrialis)
42 drops of Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora)
28 drops of Kunzea (Kunzea ambigua)
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